Michael Sheldrick

1 month ago | forbes.com | Michael Sheldrick

Foreign aid cuts are leaving Amazon communities at risk. Business and philanthropy can protect forests and turn conservation into commerce. Cuts to U.S. foreign aid are being felt far beyond Washington, reaching communities worldwide — including in the Amazon rainforest, a massive carbon sink critical to climate stability. But on the ground, local leaders, small business owners, and families believe these cuts don’t have to be a setback.

2 months ago | forbes.com | Michael Sheldrick

Foreign aid budgets are being slashed worldwide as Western governments—from Washington to Berlin—shift spending toward defense and domestic priorities. In the U.S., a sweeping USAID stop-work order has halted nearly all critical aid programs. Governments across Europe are also cutting back. The Netherlands has slashed 30% of its aid budget, redirecting funds to projects that “directly contribute to Dutch interests.” Belgium cut aid by 25%, while France reduced its budget by 37%.

Feb 5, 2025 | forbes.com | Michael Sheldrick

In refugee camps in Jordan, families who fled the horrors of ISIS have long relied on USAID-funded programs to keep their children in school and access basic medical care. According to humanitarian organizations, that assistance was suspended this past week, as executive orders were issued from Washington D.C., leaving them and millions of others reliant upon life-saving US foreign aid in limbo.

Jan 19, 2025 | forbes.com | Michael Sheldrick

This week, as people gather in Washington for Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, leaders from business, government, philanthropy, and non-profit sectors are also gathering in Davos for the World Economic Forum 2025 edition (WEF 2025). High on the agenda, according to WEF President Børge Brende in a recent New York Times article, is fostering cooperation in areas where mutual self-interest makes collaboration possible.

Jan 18, 2025 | forbes.com | Michael Sheldrick

As Donald Trump is sworn in for a second term, America finds itself at a crossroads. The nation’s political and social divides run deeper than ever, with polarization at levels not seen in decades. Yet, amid this tension, research shows that many Americans deeply crave unity, yearning for a way to reconnect across ideological lines. The pressing question is: how can we begin the process of healing?