James Rayton 🔸
Bio
Participation2
James is the Head of Community and Partnerships at Giving What We Can.
As an aid worker focused on leading international development and humanitarian teams, James spent the last four years living and working in Somalia, Kenya and Rwanda. His passion for effective giving is underpinned by these experiences.
James holds a bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University.
In his personal time, James is a passionate hiker and adventure enthusiast. He's at his happiest outside in nature.
How I can help others
Reach out to me if you have any questions about effective giving, especially the 10% pledge. I regularly give talks, donor advice and attend most EAG events. Also feel free to reach out if you'd like to discuss global health related issues. I have over 10 year experience in this area, much of it spent living in the global south.
Posts 1
Comments2
For me the 🔸10% pledge is all about social justice and equality. I am in the position of real luxury and ease, mainly by luck of birth. Others around the globe suffer a great deal - equally as a function of their luck (or lack thereof). My 10% pledge is about doing something to balance that unfair inequality.
Hi William. James from the Giving What We Can team. Thanks so much for sharing this!
I think exactly this asymmetry is what makes the pledge so compelling: small adjustments in our own comfort can translate into massive gains in wellbeing, health, and opportunity for others. It's quite starling to have it show like this.
I also relate with the donation story. I recently told my friends I was approaching £50,000 in donations and their response was pretty much stunned silence. But then I broke it down for them and explained that it was spread over 5 years, (some which I'd be living abroad and had very low living costs) and it prompted a great discussion. I also told them the truth: that I get far more satisfaction from the 10% I give away than I do from any other spending. Two of them went away telling me they'd consider pledging themselves.
Obviously each case is different, but I'd definitely encourage you to keep having these conversations. You're doing an amazing thing!