1. The practice of economic development should also focus on changing our behavior.

The practice of economic development is, for the most part, focused on changing the behavior of the poor—creating opportunities and incentives for the poor to invest in themselves and in their futures, families, and communities. This is crucial. However, we believe that it should also be focused on changing our behavior—creating opportunities and incentives not only to act, but also to critically reflect on our role (if any) and on the methods we use to participate in the process of economic development.

2. Our efforts to address poverty must be guided by what works, not just what feels good.

In a world of scarcity, every unit of aid, effort, and passion that is misdirected is a lost opportunity to support a family’s path out of poverty. There is no doubt that our efforts to take on global poverty often feel good. Indeed, our rewards are many. But we must also ensure that our efforts work for the poor—that is, that they expand economic opportunities and improve everyday living conditions.

3. We cannot help anyone with good intentions…alone.

Economic development should be about building relationships with those we wish to partner with through a mutual process of learning about and from one another. This process should be accompanied by critical self-reflection, prompted by recognizing the validity of perspectives that challenge our own. It should also be accompanied by self-doubt. We should constantly be questioning ourselves and our motivations.

The Two Dollar Challenge is one way we practice these beliefs—testing our assumptions, confronting our limitations, and opening ourselves to new ways of seeing.