Jacob Lief Authors

Jacob Lief

Jacob Lief is the Founder and CEO of Ubuntu Education Fund, a non-profit organization that takes vulnerable children in the townships of Port Elizabeth, South Africa from cradle to career. Ubuntu's child-centred approach highlights the difference between merely touching a child's life versus fundamentally changing it. In 2009, Jacob was selected as an Aspen Institute Global Fellow and, in 2010, he was recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader. He is currently a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania.

Latest Articles

NY #GlobalDev Week
NY #GlobalDev Week
MDGs: Small thinking won't achieve big results
26 Sep 2014
As the 2015 deadline approaches, we may not achieve the Millennium Development Goals — but not because the objectives were too idealistic. We failed to eradicate extreme poverty and reduce child mortality because we just didn't think big enough. An exclusive opinion by Jacob Lief, founder of the Ubuntu Education Fund.
Contributor: Jacob Lief
Contributor: Jacob Lief
'I am, because you are'
2 Jan 2014
Nelson Mandela’s vision for development in post-apartheid South Africa was focused on listening to the communities rather than imposing solutions. Jacob Lief, co-founder and president of the Ubuntu Education Fund, explains how Mandela inspired him to help others and do good.
Contributor: Jacob Lief
Contributor: Jacob Lief
What’s the impact of one pink dress?
15 Nov 2012
The aid community’s obsession with cost-effectiveness metrics is misleading and harmful, argues Jacob Lief in this exclusive guest opinion. “It is narrow and self-serving, existing just to make people feel good and in charge,” writes the Ubuntu Education Fund founder.
Jacob Lief on why small-scale assistance works
9 Dec 2011
Busannovate: Making the Money go Further
Busannovate: Making the Money go Further
Why small-scale assistance works
9 Dec 2011
Sustainability and scale are two of the development world’s favorite buzz words. But it takes time to create long-term change, and depth to change a child’s life – a lesson large global aid groups should heed, writes Jacob Lief, co-founder of the Ubuntu Education Fund, in this exclusive guest opinion.
See all articles by Jacob Lief