https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1lAV7kdPAkyk93xKEKAOHLn2I9mXIu0JUu0jtktAr0Ew/edit?usp=sharing

Desal – Conceptual Frameworks template_31 Oct 2023 – Google Slides

What is the larger dream/goal behind your venture?

 

Our larger dream is to create a positive ripple effect in communities facing water scarcity in the Philippines. We envision a future where our small-scale desalination systems, working in harmony with existing technologies, provide reliable and affordable access to clean water. By partnering with Peak Off-Grid, we aim to not only address water challenges but also contribute to the development of self-sufficient island communities with access to both electricity and water. Ultimately, we aspire to improve the quality of life for people in these areas, fostering sustainable growth and resilience.

 

With the help of a visual, describe a coalition you will build to address the larger problem you are trying to address.

See Google Slides: Building Coalitions visual models FA23

 

What (kinds of) organizations will you bring together? How might the coalition be transformative for the issue? How you might provide leadership and coordination for the coalition.

 

We’re bringing together a diverse array of organizations, ranging from multilaterals like the Asian Development Bank and Water.org to government bodies like the National Irrigation Administration of the Philippines. Nonprofits such as the Philippines Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture and social ventures like FarmVocacy are joining hands with foundations like the Ayala Foundation. Academia, represented by institutions like the University of the Philippines, and think tanks like the Philippine Water Works Association, provide invaluable knowledge. Corporations like Peak Off-Grid and Manila Water Enterprise, along with startups like Rural Rising PH, add an entrepreneurial flair.

This coalition has the power to be transformative for the issue of water scarcity. By integrating financial, technical, and community-focused support, we’re creating a holistic approach that addresses the root causes. The synergy between governmental policies, private sector innovation, grassroots initiatives, and academic expertise creates a comprehensive strategy for sustainable water management in the Philippines.

To provide leadership and coordination, our role is pivotal. We’ll establish a steering committee, ensuring representation from each sector, and facilitate regular communication channels. By setting clear goals, fostering collaboration, and leveraging the unique strengths of each organization, we can guide the coalition towards impactful and lasting solutions. Our leadership will be about inspiring collective action, maintaining a shared vision, and ensuring that every partner feels heard and valued in this crucial endeavor.

 

[used ChatGPT]

Blog Post 6: Strategic Partnerships with Diverse Organizations

Prompt 1:

Please identify partnerships at the individual, team, and Lehigh level.

1. What constituted the partnership?
2. How did the partner help you? How did you help them?
3. Was this a symbiotic relationship? Why or why not?
4. What would help strengthen this partnership and make it more equitable?

• Peak Off-Grid

1. 1. • Summary: Peak Off-Grid is a startup creating island microgrids providing electricity and water in the Philippines. We provide a DCMD system that works with their Reverse Osmosis (RO) microgrids 
      • They provide us with a pilot site & funding. We provide a solution that provides more water per energy expended. 
      • Our relationship is symbiotic because we both give and take. 
      • Our relationship will be strengthened by working to provide desalination systems for all three tiers of their microgrids (small, medium, large). 

• University of Philippines – Diliman (UPD)

1. 1. • Summary: We bring them a research team dedicated to the Philippines cause; they help us build our network in the Philippines and do local research while our cohort is in the United States
      • UPD has helped us by connecting us with Philippine government groups and locals, and is a way to gain credibility with locals; Otherwise American groups are met with skepticism. UPD has benefitted in the same way Lehigh has—both universities gain cultural perspectives and credibility, and access to unique funding opportunities. 
      • This relationship has been symbiotic between Lehigh and UPD as far as credibility and unique perspectives. Our team’s relationship with our UPD cohort has not been very productive. We were somewhat disconnected in our goals. We were not symbiotic or parasitic; we were disconnected. 
      • This relationship can be strengthened by unifying the HEED and GSIF programs to align goals and learning methods, including a year-round HEED program at UPD. This would foster better collaboration and more productivity. 

• University of Philippines – Los Banos (UPLB)

1. 1. • Summary: We bring them a research team dedicated to the Philippines cause; they help us perform research in rural areas. 
      • They provide access to industry and local experts, pilot test sites, and relationships with local farmers; We help them with new perspectives and technologies for desalination. 
      • So far, nothing has been done by either party. However, this relationship is promising for our team specifically because of the access to local farmers. 
      • This relationship could be strengthened by further communication, including the formal Lehigh-UP system agreement. This will lead to opportunities to perform research and conduct pilot testing. 

• FarmVocacy

1. 1. • Summary: FarmVocacy is a Filipino startup facilitating direct connections between consumers and local farmers to promote sustainable and ethical farming practices. We have a dwindling relationship at this moment. 
      • We would provide a DCMD desalination system for irrigation to be used by FarmVocacy’s farmers; Their network of farmers and information about farming has been valuable in determining the feasibility of a DCMD desalination system for irrigation. 
      • This relationship has not been symbiotic. We have received valuable information from them, which has informed us that DCMD desalination is not feasible for irrigation in low-resource settings. Thus, we have not provided Farmvocacy’s clients with desalination. 
      • Our partnership would be more equitable if we developed a feasible low-resource desalination system. Our technology is low-energy, but not low enough to be feasible on farms without electricity access or money for solar panels. 

• National Irrigation Administration (NIA)

1. • Summary: The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) of the Philippines provides efficient and sustainable irrigation services to enhance agricultural productivity, promote equitable resource distribution, and contribute to national food security and rural development.
   • Similar to FarmVocacy, we would provide a DCMD system; NIA provides local expertise and connections
   • Because we have shifted away from irrigation as a use case, our relationship is dwindling and not symbiotic
   • Our partnership would be more equitable if we developed a feasible low-resource desalination system. Our technology is low-energy, but not low enough to be feasible on farms without electricity access or money for solar panels.

 

Prompt 2:

Provide at least 2 compelling and specific examples of how you might engage with each of the 11 types of organizations that we discussed in class.

• Multilaterals

1. 1. 1. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is dedicated to reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region by providing financial and technical assistance, fostering regional cooperation, and investing in projects that contribute to economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability.
      2. Water.org is committed to transforming the water sector, working towards a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation by providing innovative financial solutions, partnerships, and community empowerment to address the global water crisis. They provide funding for ventures solving water shortages. 

• Government

1. 1. 1. The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) of the Philippines provides efficient and sustainable irrigation services to enhance agricultural productivity, promote equitable resource distribution, and contribute to national food security and rural development.
      2. Individual Barangays with Peak OffGrid. Peak works with individual barangays to solve their resource needs, so we may need to work with these localities to institute our addition to Peak’s microgrid system. 

• Non-Profits

1. 1. 1. The Philippines Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (PPSA) is dedicated to fostering collaboration among stakeholders in the agricultural sector to promote sustainable practices, enhance productivity, and improve the livelihoods of Filipino farmers.
      2. VentureWell, with its mission to cultivate innovation and entrepreneurship, offers grants tailored to groups like us, providing crucial support, funding, and resources for the development of pioneering solutions in science and technology to address societal challenges and make a positive impact.

• Foundations

1. 1. 1. The Ayala Foundation is one of the largest and most prominent philanthropic organizations in the Philippines. They support various social development projects, including those related to environmental sustainability and technology innovation.
      2. The Lopez Group Foundation is involved in various community and environmental initiatives. They may be interested in supporting projects related to water treatment and sustainability.

• Academia

1. 1. 1. University of the Philippines – Diliman (UPD) is a valuable resource for gaining credibility with businesses and government agencies. 
      2. University of the Philippines – Los Banos (UPLB) is a valuable resource for connecting with local farmers and gaining access to the forefront of agricultural research. 

• Social Ventures

1. 1. 1. FarmVocacy is a Filipino startup facilitating direct connections between consumers and local farmers to promote sustainable and ethical farming practices.
      2. Rural Rising PH is a social enterprise dedicated to harnessing the potential of the countryside and fostering rural prosperity through agri-entrepreneurship. 

• Think Tanks

1. 1. 1. Philippine Water Works Association (PWWA) is an organization focused on the water industry in the Philippines. They host events, conferences, and seminars related to water treatment technologies, providing opportunities for networking and collaboration.
      2. Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) offers funding opportunities and research grants for technology development and innovation in various sectors, including water and environmental technologies.

• K-12 Schools

1. 1. 1. International School Manila (ISM) is known for its global perspective, and may be interested in projects.
      2. Ateneo de Manila Grade School and High School has a similar mission to ISM.

• Corporations

1. 1. 1. Peak Off-Grid is a startup working with individual Philippine barangays to create island microgrids that provide electricity and water to communities. 
      2. Manila Water Enterprise is committed to delivering sustainable water solutions, ensuring reliable water supply, efficient wastewater management, and promoting environmental stewardship to enhance the quality of life for communities.

• Consulting Firms

1. 1. 1. Technical Consultants – Arup is dedicated to shaping a sustainable and resilient future through innovative engineering, design, and consulting solutions that address complex challenges and improve the well-being of communities worldwide.
      2. Legal/Patent Consultants – Knobbe Martens is committed to safeguarding and maximizing the value of intellectual property for their clients through expert legal guidance, innovative strategies, and a deep understanding of technology and innovation.

• Startups

1. 1. Peak Off-Grid is a startup working with individual Philippine barangays to create island microgrids that provide electricity and water to communities. 
   2. FarmVocacy is a Filipino startup facilitating direct connections between consumers and local farmers to promote sustainable and ethical farming practices.

 

[used ChatGPT]

Part 2

Step 1: Determine the facts in the situation – obtain all of the unbiased facts possible. Clearly state the ethical issue.
**Facts:**
– The women earn $3 a day.
– Women work 9 hours a day.
– When the women bring their earnings home, their husbands are spending their money on wasted purchases.
– Women are upset money doesn’t go to food for their children.
– Women are happy working at the cooperative.
– Women can sell produce from their farms at the cooperative.
– Women and the board at the cooperative are convinced that nothing can be done about it.

**Ethical Issue:**
Researchers are interfering with the women’s choice regarding their own money, and there’s a concern about how the women’s earnings are being used to benefit their families and children’s well-being.

Step 2: Define the Stakeholders – those with a vested interest in the outcome & (Step 3) Assess the motivations of the Stakeholders

**Community members:**
Motivation: The goal is to keep the business running and to keep producing more healthy materials.

**Women:**
Motivation: They want to continue working and use their earned income to buy food for their children and maintain their children’s health.

**Children:**
Motivation: They want to be provided with food from their parents to avoid hunger and maintain their well-being.

**Husbands:**
Motivation: Husbands want to continue receiving money from their wives’ jobs, but their spending habits are a source of concern.

**Researchers (you):**
Motivation: Researchers want the women to have autonomy to spend their money they have earned. They aim to make a societal change beyond just economic empowerment.

**Board at the cooperative:**
Motivation: The board may be concerned about the cooperative’s sustainability and reputation.

Step 4: Formulate (at least three) alternative solutions – based on the information available, using fundamental ethical core values as a guide
Approaches [1/2/3: repeat for every action]

**Potential solution 1: Financial System within the cooperative using lockboxes to store the money earned at the cooperative building.**
Ethical Principle or code: Duty-based thinking
Pros:
– Gives women an option to budget what goes home and is saved up for groceries.
– Women can take out as much money as they want whenever they want to utilize it however they choose.
Cons:
– The women are okay with turning their money over to their spouse.
– Corruption is at risk.
– Someone can lose a lockbox key.

**Potential solution 2: The cooperative can buy groceries together for a duration of time of their choosing (a day, a week, a month …). The women could pool their money together to buy food in bulk which would be much cheaper. This way they could use the money to feed the children which will already be spent, and the mothers can bring the remaining money back to the husband to spend however they choose.**
Ethical Principle or code: Care-based thinking
Pros:
– Women are able to feed their families with healthy groceries of their choosing, while also having autonomy in the food their family eats.
Cons:
– Guilt for going behind their husband’s back and buying the food, rather than giving him all of the money made.
– Equity versus equality issue as all women will be bringing home the same amount of food since they are paid equally, but they may have larger family sizes that require additional food.

**Potential solution 3: Instead of making it a choice, split the $3 wage into $2 of cash and $1 of supplies (the exact split could vary depending on the price of goods). These supplies would be purchased by the cooperative and split among each member individually.**
Ethical Principle or code: Consequence-based thinking
Pros:
– Men might not take personal offense to this approach since it is the company policy to give wages in this way rather than a personal decision of the women.
– Provides the women with a source of food for their children while still giving them expendable income.
– The cooperative could ensure the women get healthy food by choosing nutritious foods.
Cons:
– The wage is lowered for each woman, reducing their ability to make decisions.
– The men might still take offense because they would suddenly start receiving less.
– Not all women may want to be involved in the program.

Step 5: Seek additional assistance, as appropriate – engineering codes of ethics, previous cases, peers, reliance on personal experience, inner reflection
– Look at international labor and wage guidelines and codes of ethics.
– Consult with experts in women’s empowerment and labor rights.
– Examine case studies from similar cooperatives or organizations.
– Seek input from the local community and the women themselves.

Step 6: Select the best course of action that satisfies the highest core ethical values.
Explain reasoning and justify. Discuss your stance vis-a-vis other approaches discussed in the class.

The best approach would be to implement a trial period of approach 3: splitting the wage into cash and supplies. This approach seems to strike a balance between ensuring the women can provide for their families while introducing a system to address concerns about how their earnings are spent.

**Split Wage (Potential solution 3):**
This approach minimizes the risk of husbands feeling personally offended since it is a company policy, not a personal decision by the women. It provides women with a source of food for their children while still giving them expendable income. The cooperative can ensure that the women get healthy food by choosing nutritious supplies.

Other approaches have their merits but also drawbacks:
– **Lockboxes (Potential solution 1):** This approach gives women more control over their earnings but risks corruption and loss of keys.
– **Bulk Grocery Purchase (Potential solution 2):** While empowering women to buy groceries, it may lead to guilt and equity concerns among women with different family sizes.

Approach 3 respects the ethical principle of consequences by potentially improving the women’s ability to provide for their families while minimizing potential conflict with husbands.

Step 7: (If applicable) What are the implications of your solution on the venture? Explain the impact of your proposed solution on the venture’s technology, economic, social, and environmental aspects.

Implementing the split wage approach has several implications on the venture:

**Technology:**
– The cooperative may need to maintain records and systems to track and allocate the supplies portion of the wage.
– Technology may be needed for transparent accounting and tracking of supplies.

**Economic:**
– The cooperative should assess the cost of supplies and how it affects the women’s wages.
– There may be economic benefits in the form of improved family nutrition.

**Social:**
– The approach may reduce potential conflicts within households over how the women’s earnings are spent.
– It may empower women to have a say in family nutrition.

**Environmental:**
– The cooperative’s choice of supplies can influence environmental aspects, such as selecting eco-friendly products.

Overall, the proposed solution seeks to strike a balance between women’s autonomy and their families’ well-being, which aligns with ethical principles of fairness and consideration for the consequences of actions. It may require effective communication, tracking, and cooperation among cooperative members.

[written with the assistance of ChatGPT]

Part 1

Step 1: Determine the facts in the situation – obtain all of the unbiased facts possible. Clearly state the ethical issue.
Facts:
In a region of East Africa, around 35% of children suffer from stunted growth due to poor nutrition.
Traditional feeding practices involve making gruel from maize and bananas, given to infants from around 2 months of age until they are about 24 months old.
Local mothers believe in the benefits of this gruel, but scientific research shows it lacks key nutrients.
HIV/AIDS is prevalent in the region, and prolonged breastfeeding by HIV+ mothers increases the risk of transmission.
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months.
A grant has been received to establish a women’s cooperative with the goal of improving child nutrition and rural livelihoods.
The grant can support the production of a nutritious, shelf-stable porridge made from locally grown produce to wean children off breast milk at around 6 months of age.
500 women from three neighboring areas want to join the cooperative but are skeptical about the porridge.
The region grows various cash and subsistence crops, some of which involve pesticide use, posing potential health risks for infants.
Ethical Issue:
Promote culturally sensitive and age-appropriate feeding practices.
Do we prioritize the children’s nutrition over the risk of consuming pesticides and/or exposure to HIV/AIDS?

Step 2: Define the Stakeholders – those with a vested interest in the outcome & (Step 3) Assess the motivations of the Stakeholders

**Mothers:**
Motivation: Mothers living with HIV/AIDS are motivated to protect their infants from HIV transmission while providing them with proper nutrition. They seek guidance and support to make informed decisions about infant feeding.

**Mothers without HIV/AIDS:**
Motivation: Mothers without HIV/AIDS can properly feed their children.

**Donor:**
Motivation: Donors and funding organizations are motivated by their philanthropic and development goals. They aim to make a positive impact on the community by supporting initiatives that address child nutrition, women’s empowerment, and health issues. They seek measurable results and positive outcomes.

**Children:**
Motivation: They are the ones being affected by these diets and at risk for a potentially life-threatening disease.

**Health officials:**
Motivation: Healthcare providers have a vested interest in the health and well-being of the community. They are motivated to reduce HIV/AIDS transmission rates and ensure that mothers receive appropriate healthcare services, including HIV testing and counseling. Successful cooperative activities can lead to improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare burdens.

**Agricultural Authorities and Farmers:**
Motivation: Retailers and distributors who collaborate with the cooperative are motivated by business opportunities and potential profit. They see the nutritious porridge as a marketable product that can generate income for them.

**Women’s cooperative members:**
Motivation: They are part of the cooperative. Their primary motivation is to improve their livelihoods and the well-being of their families. They seek economic empowerment, sustainable income, and access to resources and opportunities for themselves and their children.

**Researchers (us):**
Motivation: Building this venture, having an impact, and our reputation and credibility are at risk.

**Pesticide Manufacturers:**
Motivation: They are a secondary stakeholder, not being directly involved in the decision-making, but can be affected by any decisions made about pesticides.

All-encompassing question:
Is it okay to exclusively breastfeed children while increasing their risk to HIV, or stop breastfeeding earlier and feed children porridge that may be contaminated with pesticides?

Step 4: Formulate (at least three) alternative solutions – based on the information available, using fundamental ethical core values as a guide
Approaches [1/2/3: repeat for every action]

**Potential solution 1: Hygiene and Healthy living campaign promoting buying a variety of fresh produce as well as thoroughly washing all produce with clean water before serving. At the very least integrate this into the process of making the porridge at our station.**
Ethical Principle or code: Utilitarianism: would provide benefit to the most amount of people
Pros: More people will buy a wider variety of fresh produce and fuel themselves and their children with more micronutrients.
Cons: There is still a risk of pesticide contamination. The only way to properly clean off all pesticides involves vinegar and/or salt with water. Mothers should also be breastfeeding exclusively up until 6 months, not 2 months.

**Potential solution 2: HIV testing campaign making HIV testing for mothers increasingly accessible.**
Ethical Principle or code:
Pros: More mothers would be able to get tested for HIV, and know whether breastfeeding their child poses a risk to them.
Cons: There is still a lot of stigma surrounding HIV, which may make the mothers less willing to be tested. This also does not solve the malnutrition of mothers and infants once they have stopped exclusive breastfeeding.

**Potential solution 3: Start by advertising the porridge to health officials and hospitals by showing them the ingredients and the cooking process. Ask them to feed some of their patients and promote the product as a cheap and easy solution to becoming more nourished. From there, target markets to sell the product and clinics, therefore getting public health officials onboard, and with their approval, the public will become more accepting of the new porridge.**
Ethical Principle or code: Appealing to an authority figure/trusted figure as a sign of what is more ethical.
Pros:
– Recruits respected members of the community who are more likely to alleviate the skepticism of women surrounding the porridge.
– Advertises porridge through multiple communities
Cons:
– Extra costs to quality test
– The ongoing process for development, even when it hits the market

**Solutions discussed in class:**
– Invest half of the money into HIV testing programs.
Questions: where does HIV diagnostics start and end? How would you do it with limited money?
– Offer free or affordable HIV education with the goal of giving women the choice about deciding to use the porridge or not.
Question: How is this sustainable in the realm of the project?

Step 5: Seek additional assistance, as appropriate – engineering codes of ethics, previous cases, peers, reliance on personal experience, inner reflection
– Look at existing programs that try to introduce healthier alternatives into an area
– Consult the community for taste testing and marketing
– Collaborate with public health officials to talk about pricing, employment
– Engage locals for preparing and distributing the porridge
– Seek out organizations already aiming to increase nutrition in these areas

Step 6: Select the best course of action that satisfies the highest core ethical values.
Explain reasoning and justify. Discuss your stance vis-a-vis other approaches discussed in the class.

The best course of action would be a combination of potential solution 1 and 3. This approach addresses both the nutrition and pesticide concerns while involving key stakeholders like health officials and respected community members.

**Hygiene and Healthy Living Campaign (Potential solution 1):**
This approach promotes healthier practices and diversified diets, addressing the issue of poor nutrition. It aligns with utilitarianism by benefiting the majority. However, it acknowledges the limitations of completely removing pesticide risks and the need for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.

**Advertising to Health Officials (Potential solution 3):**
By involving health officials and hospitals, this approach leverages trusted figures to promote the nutritious porridge, which can address both the nutritional and HIV concerns. It appeals to authority figures, potentially alleviating women’s skepticism. However, it may

involve additional costs for quality testing and a longer development process.

Combining these approaches allows for a more comprehensive strategy that covers nutritional education, safer food preparation practices, and building trust through respected community members. This balanced approach respects the ethical principles of utility, authority, and community engagement.

Step 7: (If applicable) What are the implications of your solution on the venture? Explain the impact of your proposed solution on the venture’s technology, economic, social, and environmental aspects.

Implementing the combined approach may have several implications on the venture:

**Technology:**
– The venture may need to invest in educational materials and programs to promote healthy practices and safe food preparation.
– Quality testing for pesticide residues may be required for the porridge production process.

**Economic:**
– The cost of quality testing and educational programs should be considered in the budget.
– The economic impact of reduced pesticide use on local agriculture should be monitored.

**Social:**
– The program should work to reduce the stigma surrounding HIV testing to encourage more mothers to get tested.
– Involving respected community members can build trust and acceptance of the porridge.
– Monitoring and evaluation of the program’s impact on child nutrition and HIV transmission rates will be essential.

**Environmental:**
– Encouraging safer agricultural practices to reduce pesticide use can have positive environmental effects.

Overall, the proposed solution aims to strike a balance between addressing child nutrition and health concerns while respecting cultural beliefs and involving key stakeholders. It may require careful planning and monitoring but has the potential to make a positive impact on the community.

 

[written with the assistance of ChatGPT]

Step 1:  

• 4 kids did not receive gifts
  • Perceived as Jack’s fault by children
• Staff do not care and they do not want to help
• An international organization purchased the gifts

 

Step 2: 

• Jack

• The children 
• The staff members
• The organization representatives who actually bought the gifts 

 

Step 3: 

• Jack

• Personal: 
  • Build relationships with the community’s children and workers
• Professional: succeed in his social venture, 

• The children
  • Personal: be treated as all the other kids and get gifts at the same time, 
• The staff members
  • Personal:
    • Do not want to deal with another issue
  • Professional:
    • Not their problem
    • Fulfill the other organization’s wants and needs (giving the specific number of gifts and that’s it)
• The organization representatives who actually bought the gifts
  • Personal:
    • None
  • Professional: 
    • Unaware

 

Step 4: 

 

• Buy a matching hat
• Tell the kids what actually happened
• Don’t do anything

 

Potential Solution: contact the organization that sent the gifts

• How does it solve the problem? 
  • Pros: they can send 4 more
  • Cons: seem greedy, takes time to coordinate with supplier. 
• How does it save face of those involved? 
  • It makes Jack seem like the good guy who can take matters into his own hands. 
  • It makes the organization seem better to the youth center
• Implications on relationships 
  • Short-term – Kids he may be working with directly trust Jack more. 
  • Long-term – Can continue to work at the youth center with the trust of the adults. 
• Implications on the venture 
  • Short-term: the organization may regard them negatively
  • Long-term: the kids will help Jack in the future

 

Potential Solution: Jack can wear one of the black hats

• How does it solve the problem? 
  • Pros: it makes the kids feel better about getting a hat
  • Cons: the other kids might get jealous now
• How does it save face of those involved? 
  • It makes Jack seem like the hero
• Implications on relationships 
  • Short-term: Jack becomes friends with the kids
  • Long-term: they’ll be more inclined to help Jack in the future
• Implications on the venture 
  • Short-term: the kids will like him
  • Long-term: he will be respected by all the kids

 

Potential Solution 

Jack should apologize to the kids to restore relationships with them, but not make it a bigger deal with the higher-ups so that they continue to view Jack in a positive light. 

• How does it solve the problem? 
  • Pros 
    • keeps a good relationship with the higher ups 
    • can help restore the relationship with the kids 
  • Cons
    • he has to continue to take ownership of gift giving even though it looked worse for him 
• How does it save face of those involved? 
  • It saves face for Jack because the kids will likely understand that it is not his fault
• Implications on relationships 
  • Short-term: 
    • The kids can feel cool for matching with Jack
  • Long-term: 
    • Uplifting memory for the kids
• Implications on the venture 
  • Short-term: the kids will be angry with Jack
  • Long-term: the organization and staff is more likely to help him

 

Step 5: 

 

Consulting with other parental figures about how long the kids will be mad can help.

 

Step 6: 

 

Jack apologizing to the kids and not contacting the higher-ups is the best course of action. This is because the kids will eventually forgive him and the staff will continue to view Jack in a positive light. With the approach where Jack wears a black hat, that also will leave the higher-ups seeing him in a positive light and the kids will probably forgive him. With the approach where he contacts the organization, this may reflect negatively on Jack.

 

 Step 7: 

 

Jack will simply wear a black hat. 

 

*If locals are happy to help regardless of cost and inconvenience, the study is ethical. However, if this poses a major inconvenience to locals, alternative solutions should be identified. 

 

Step 1: Determine the facts in the situation – obtain all of the unbiased facts possible. Clearly state the ethical issue.  

• There are pathogens in the drinking water
• They are going to another country 
• They need help from the community to identify locations and methods
• There are 10 researchers 
• Locals are needed in order to identify water-storage locations

 

Step 2: Define the Stakeholders – those with a vested interest in the outcome      

• Community Members
• Our academic institution
• People who need protection from water pathogens 
• Lesotho Government
• Whoever funded the research (ex: NSF)

 

Step 3: Assess the motivations of the Stakeholders   

• Community members: Access to safe drinking water
• Researchers: to make safe water accessible, to do research and become published 
• Lesotho Government: Wants to keep their population safe and healthy so they can work and produce for the country, keeping it afloat.  
• People who need protection from pathogens : They want to give out the most information possible so hopefully someone with the right resources can fix the issue

 

Step 4: Formulate (at least three) alternative solutions – based on information available, using basic ethical core values as guide  

• Pay the community members for their help
  • Ethical Principle or code: duty-based thinking, virtue-based
  • Pros: community members benefit directly from the study. Any monetary inconvenience is avoided. 
  • Cons: expensive, would have to formulate how to measure  to what extent you would pay participants depending on what they do
• Bring less researchers to minimize cost of travel and living
  • Ethical Principle or code: relationship-based, virtue-based
  • Pros: cost effective
  • Cons: Not efficient data collected. Could affect the publications that are expected
    • There could be more bias

• Guess around where the water is and methods are to store water
  • Ethical Principle or code: consequence based, duty based (because the community members do not owe anything to researchers, and researched can “get out” exactly what they “put in”
  • Pros : Completely free, only includes those benefiting from publication research 
  • Cons  : May not find any water 
• Search for other sources of information online
  • Ethical Principle or code: 
    • Duty base 
      • You have a job to get done 
  • Pros : 
    • Free
    • Can be helpful for preparing to interview in person
  • Cons:
    • Limited information  
    • Time consuming
    • Can be bias
      • Like govt or water company bias 

 

Step 5: Seek additional assistance, as appropriate – engineering codes of ethics, previous cases, peers, reliance on personal experience, inner reflection  

 

Personal Experience: 

• During fieldwork people did not let us compensate them with lunch

• Offer compensation but may not always be accepted 

 

Belmont Report: 

• that respect for persons, beneficence, and justice is upheld. Do what most respects those we are working with, which could imply compensation. 

 

Nonprofit organizations or Universities

 

Consult community leaders for appropriate compensation

 

*Step 6: Select the best course of action – that which satisfies the highest core ethical values.  Explain reasoning and justify. Discuss your stance vis-a-vis other approaches discussed in the class.  

• Offering to reimburse people for their help satisfies the highest core ethical values. This is because it still ensures that the researchers would get the most accurate data as a result of the community members working toward something personal.
• This stance is better than others because it doesn’t decrease the number of certified researchers on the trip.

 

*Step 7: (If applicable) What are the implications of your solution on the venture. Explain the impact of your proposed solution on the venture’s technology, economic, social and environmental aspects. 

• First, build a connection through a local academic, government organization, or NGO that has the people’s best interests in mind. That way, a trusted community member can introduce you to the locals. 
• Try to ask people who are already on their way to the water source, as you would not be interrupting their daily schedule. Any extra resources that a local may expend should be reimbursed if the community member desires.
• The potential benefits of the study should remain clear to the community member. 
• No promises regarding outcomes should be made. 

Develop three short human interest stories that capture the significance of your venture. 

 

[Used ChatGPT]

 

Story 1: “A Thirst for Change”

In the heart of a remote village in the Philippines, where the scorching sun beats down relentlessly, hope has arrived in the form of clean water. Meet Maria, a resilient mother of three, who used to spend hours each day trekking to a distant river to fetch water for her family. The water from the river was often contaminated, leading to frequent illnesses among her children.

Then, one day, a team of dedicated individuals arrived with a revolutionary solution. They introduced Maria’s community to Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD), a cutting-edge desalination technology. With DCMD, they harnessed the power of the sea to provide clean, fresh water to the village. 

Maria’s children can now drink without fear of falling ill, and she no longer has to make the arduous journey for water. The introduction of this innovative technology, in conjunction with microgrids, has transformed the lives of countless families like Maria’s across Southeast Asia. It’s not just about quenching thirst; it’s about changing lives.

 

Story 2: “From Lab to Life-Saver”

In a laboratory halfway around the world, a group of brilliant scientists dedicated years of research to developing a groundbreaking desalination technology called Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD). Yet, their work remained confined to the laboratory, waiting for the opportunity to make a real-world impact.

That opportunity came when a team of social entrepreneurs decided to take DCMD out of the lab and into the lives of those who needed it most. They recognized that millions in Southeast Asia lacked access to clean water, and they believed DCMD held the key to solving this crisis.

With determination and innovation, they scaled up DCMD and integrated it into microgrids serving remote communities in the Philippines. The result? Life-changing access to clean water for countless families. What was once a scientific experiment is now a life-saver, proving that innovation can transform even the most challenging problems into opportunities for change.

 

Story 3: “Empowering Communities, One Drop at a Time”

In the picturesque coastal communities of the Philippines, fishing is not just a way of life; it’s a lifeline. However, access to clean water has always been a struggle for these communities. Until recently, the sea that sustained them also seemed an insurmountable barrier to quenching their thirst.

That’s when a group of forward-thinking individuals arrived with a mission to empower these coastal communities. They introduced a unique hybrid desalination technology, combining Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD) with existing reverse osmosis desalination, all powered by microgrids. 

Now, these communities have a reliable source of clean water that not only sustains their daily lives but also brings newfound hope. The impact is visible in healthier families, increased school attendance, and thriving fisheries. By harnessing the power of innovation, this venture is not just solving the clean water crisis; it’s empowering communities, drop by drop, to build a better future.