Graham Nelson
Bio
Participation3
I'm a British diplomat, mathematician and musician. I entered international relations almost twenty years ago hoping to help tackle some of the world's most pressing problems. I'm particularly passionate about alleviating poverty and inequality and improving the health and wellbeing of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
I have spent over 15 years living and working in East Asia, and speak Chinese, Japanese and Korean. I currently live with my family in Seoul. Outside of work, I'm working to improve access to and raise awareness of effective giving opportunities in Korea, and through talks and outreach attempting to help young people consider how they can make an impact in their lives.
My focus on using data and evidence to maximise impact led me to discover GiveWell soon after its launch, and through that Against Malaria Foundation, which I've supported for several years as a donor. I'm proud to have managed to recently (August 23) establish a Korean branch of AMF - possible the country's first effective charity - on which I serve as a board member and director.
Though I completely missed the first decade of the EA movement while overseas in Asia, I've subsequently been excited to discover a likeminded community, and I do what I can in the margins of a busy role in the Embassy in Seoul to support the nascent EA South Korea group.
I've taken the Giving Pledge.
How others can help me
I'll be looking to move back to the UK from Korea in Summer/Autumn 2024 and seeking a new role - most likely within the Senior Civil Service, but potentially outside government - at that point. If you're in government/an adjacent area and are aware of an impactful opportunity, I'd be interested to hear!
How I can help others
I'd be delighted to help anyone thinking about a career in government/international relations to weigh up the pros and cons. Similarly, those looking to have an impact in East Asia, or deliver impact in a public service role with a maths/science background.
Work, family and commitments such as AMF Korea mean I have very little discretionary time, so apologies if I'm a little slow to respond...
Thanks for this excellent post @Joel Tan🔸. As you'd expect (!) I agree with your assertions here, and they form the basis for my own personal efforts in South Korea, and - targeting government and HNWI clients - with Albion East.
I also share your uncertainty regarding the long term outcomes of this work. There is certainly huge potential, and individual examples of success, but a chronic shortage of EA-aligned actors in this space, and - to my mind - a critical gap in terms of leadership and strategic coordination of these efforts in Asia (though CEARCH of course does an excellent job in evidencing opportunities).
I'm keen to explore appetite for some form of low-burden steering group for likeminded organisations and individuals to coordinate their efforts and share experience and good practice. Are others be interested, and/or aware of examples of this approach working effectively elsewhere?
Keep up the excellent work Joel!