Here is what Barack Obama has to say about winning the Nobel Peace Prize, and I think it is amazingly humble and intelligent:

This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.

To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.

But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.

That is why I've said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won't all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.
 more this way»

Well, I just had another moment of fame and I want to use it to highlight some cool development work.

My first moment of fame was when a Spanish film crew from Canal+ wanted to film my efforts to protest the Republican Convention in NYC in 2004. I was one of a few people highlighted in the documentary, including Amy Goodman and a graffiti artist. I hear the documentary was well-watched in Spain.

My second moment was when BBC radio contacted me about some pieces I wrote about Somalia (I think this article is one of the ones they had picked up on). They asked me to be on a radio call in show as one of four panelists. I have to say that I wasn't as good as I would have liked to be live on radio. But they must have thought I did okay because they asked me to be on again...stupidly I said "no."

This last week I had another encounter with BBC, this time an interview for television about Kiva microlending.

I have written about Kiva several times and I think each time I do, they get a burst of activity on their site. I am never sure how directly responsible I ever am for their sudden increase in traffic to their site, but I notice each time I write about them they start filling loans faster than usual. Kiva is aware of my efforts on their behalf and have been very grateful. And they have kept me in mind as one of their most enthusiastic participants.
 more this way»