The Accountability Lab- Ironman Challenge

[Blair Glencorse]

Dear Family, Friends and Colleagues,

Some of you know that earlier this year I was lucky enough to receive support to found the Accountability Lab: www.accountabilitylab.org a non-profit organization that works to generate responsible development in difficult parts of the world. This is a hugely important issue- to me, the most important- because too often I've seen the inability of citizens to receive services without a bribe or receive fair treatment by institutions that should serve them equitably. I wholeheartedly believe that accountability- of decision-makers and power-holders to citizens- is the central issue of development and of a fair and more equitable world. Our work at the Lab involves partnering with civil society groups on the ground to develop innovative approaches to this challenge- I believe that development can and should be done in new, better and more sustainable ways.  

Just to make sure I was busy enough this year I also signed up last winter, with my good friend Clinton, to compete in the Ironman triathlon in Mexico on November 25th, just a few weeks away: http://www.ironmancozumel.com/ This is a serious test of endurance- a consecutive 2.4 mile swim; 112 mile bike; and 26.2 mile run. Training has been somewhat tricky, given that I've spent most of this year in places where conditions are not ideal, shall we say- I've been blogging about it (including running away from rabid dogs; swimming with Pakistani peacekeepers; and cycling around holy cows) for a British triathlon magazine here: http://www.220triathlon.com/contributor-profile/blair-glencorse 

This is where you come in- I'm raising funds through the Lab to support (with small grants of up to $2,000) innovative groups and individuals who have new ideas for accountability- I'm calling these people accountability entrepreneurs, or "accountapreneurs". We've received some fantastic ideas so far- from using cell phones to report corruption, to community monitoring of local budgets. These kind of ideas will help to reduce poverty and change life chances for people in really hard places. A small amount of money- even a few pounds or dollars- goes a long, long way to help support these accountapreneurs with set-up, mentoring, training, and networks to make their projects successful. 

I'm hoping you might be willing to click on the donate button on the Accountability Lab "Support" page here: http://accountabilitylab.org/support.html (and follow us on Facebook and Twitter) and make me feel somewhat better about what in retrospect seems like a bizarre decision to do this gigantic triathlon in a few weeks. Any support at all will mentally help me get through the race, and I promise you, will make a big difference in Nepal and Liberia. All operating costs for the Lab are covered, so 100% of your donation will go directly to the accountapreneurs to help them bring their brilliant ideas into reality, and change the dynamic between power-holders and citizens.

Thank you so much for reading and for any support, and I'll update you after November 25th if I survive!

Blair

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Blair Glencorse
The Accountability Lab
+1-202-294-8331
www.accountabilitylab.org
   

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