Podcasts about development cooperation

Lydia Poole discusses "The Big Humanitarian Rethink," a digital consultation she launched with Ben Parker to capture diverse perspectives on reforming the humanitarian system during a period of unprecedented funding cuts. The consultation revealed two distinct camps: "reimaginers" who advocate for radical transformation addressing power imbalances, and "improvers" who prefer incremental change while preserving humanitarian principles. Despite these differences, both groups agree on the need to maintain some international crisis response capabilities. As the humanitarian sector navigates this watershed moment, Lydia emphasizes the urgent need to make difficult choices about what to preserve while avoiding a disorderly collapse of vital services. This conversation offers rare insight into a sector at a crossroads, balancing immediate operational demands with the opportunity for meaningful, long-overdue reform.Today's GuestLydia Poole is a humanitarian financing expert with over 15 years of experience. Along with Ben Parker, Lydia co-created "The Big Humanitarian Rethink" citizen consultation, an initiative to collect diverse perspectives on humanitarian system reform following recent funding cuts. Lydia previously wrote an article published by The New Humanitarian addressing the risks of leaving key decisions about humanitarian system reform to a small group of leaders with vested interests.You'll LearnHow Lydia and Ben launched a digital consultation to give voice to diverse perspectives on humanitarian reformThe major divide between "reimaginers" and "improvers" in approaches to humanitarian reformWhat both camps agree on despite their different visions for the futureHow the humanitarian system is responding to the current funding crisisWhy traditional humanitarian financing models may be at odds with localization effortsThe common ground that could unite different perspectives on reformResourcesThe Big Humanitarian Rethink citizen consultation Find Lydia Poole on LinkedIn"Improving or Reimagining? Mapping key narratives on the Future of Development Cooperation," by Prof. dr. Sara Kinsbergen & Dr. Zunera Rana, Radboud University, April 2025.

Alexander De Croo  became Belgium's prime minister in October of 2020. It's a relatively small country, with about 12 million inhabitants—slightly less than the city of Los Angeles—but it's very much the face of Europe with the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and NATO all calling Brussels home. Prime Minister De Croo, who saw the country through the COVID pandemic, says that the geopolitical and economic upheavals already being instigated by the “America first” ethos of President Donald Trump will present another stiff test for the leadership of not only his country but the EU. In this episode of HKS PolicyCast with host Ralph Ranalli, De Croo says the key to Europe not just surviving that challenge but also thriving will depend on its ability to raise its level of economic competitiveness significantly in the coming decades. While still a powerful trading bloc, the EU's economic growth has been slowing since the year 2000 and it's an also-ran to the US and China in the vital tech sector, with only four of the world's top 50 tech companies being based in Europe. It's also facing the challenge of long-term demographic trends—by 2040 the EU's workforce is projected to shrink by 2 million workers a year. So, as the US retreats from global leadership on fronts ranging from the green energy transition to human rights, De Croo says Europe must make urgent economic policy changes to maintain both its values and its status a leader on the world stage. Programming note: As this discussion was being recorded, a coalition of five parties—led by the separatist New Flemish Alliance and not including Mr. De Croo's center-right Open VLD party—agreed to form a new government, effectively ending his tenure as prime minister.Alexander De Croo's Policy Recommendations:Eliminate excessive corporate reporting systems like CSRD (the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) that add bureaucratic burdens to businesses without improving corporate behavior.Implement a non-permanent migration system that allows young people to study in Europe and stay for a set period of time, after which they are required to return to their home countries.Maintain Europe's openness to the world while protecting core European interests, and act assertively in areas—trade, climate sustainability, development, diplomacy—where the EU is already a global leader.Episode Notes:Alexander De Croo is the outgoing Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium, a post he held beginning in 2020. De Croo has had a long career in politics and business, including numerous ministerial posts. As Minister of Finance, he helped create a framework for a major European recovery package. As Minister of Pensions, he carried out Belgium's first pension reform package in recent history and was involved in setting up a Pension Reform Commission. As Minister of Development Cooperation, Digital Agenda, Telecom and Postal Services, he promoted measures to strengthen human rights, enhance local economic growth in partner countries, and maximize the economic potential of the digital economy. He spent his early career as a businessman and entrepreneur, and in 2006 he founded his own company, Darts-ip, an intellectual property consulting firm that now operates around the world. He started his political career in 2009, running unsuccessfully for a seat in parliament but winning the chairmanship of the center-right Flemish political party, Open Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten (OpenVLD). He holds an MSc in business engineering from Vrije Universiteit Brussel and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.Ralph Ranalli of the HKS Office of Communications and Public Affairs is the host, producer, and editor of HKS PolicyCast. A former journalist, public television producer, and entrepreneur, he holds an BA in Political Science from UCLA and an MS in Journalism from Columbia University.Administrative support for PolicyCast is provided by Lilian Wainaina. Design and graphics support is provided by Laura King and the OCPA Design Team. Social media promotion and support is provided by Catherine Santrock and Natalie Montaner and the OCPA Digital Team. Editorial support is provided by Nora Delaney and Robert O'Neill of the OCPA Editorial Team. 

Throw back to one of our favorites, in case you missed it! Vladimir Pacheco is currently an Associate Professor in Governance and coordinator of the International Studies programme at the Department of Global Studies in the School of Culture and Society, Aarhus University, Denmark. His current research interests include analyzing the governance mechanisms, economic policy prescriptions, and socio-economic impacts of resource extraction in Latin America and beyond. Before this position, Vladimir held senior roles in Australia with the Foundation for Development Cooperation, the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and consulting firm WorleyParsons. Vladimir is also the Program Coordinator of Project Empire, a long-term partnership between Agile Management Office and Aarhus University bringing the academic and the corporate world together for an enriching and inspiring educational experience. In this episode we cover: His current research into resource-dependent countries and economic diversification He shares his journey of living with COVID0-19 after his diagnosis earlier this year on his return from EuropeUnderstanding and learn more about international governance Our partnership and the outcomes of the recent academic/corporate program and;Why he tried to ride his bicycle from Queensland, Australia to India amongst earlier childhood lessons from escaping the civil war and learning to speak English in America. And much more...You can read some of Vladimir's interests here:https://www.gapminder.org/https://resourcegovernance.org/analysis-tools/publications/diversification-resource-dependent-countrieshttps://www.business-humanrights.org/en/from-us/briefings/towards-responsible-renewable-energy/To connect with Vladimir: https://pure.au.dk/portal/da/persons/vlSupport the showThank you for listening to Agile Ideas! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might benefit from our discussions. Remember to rate us on your preferred podcast platform and follow us on social media for updates and more insightful content.Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd really appreciate it if you could share it with your friends and rate us. Let's spread the #AgileIdeas together! We'd like to hear any feedback. www.agilemanagementoffice.com/contact Don't miss out on exclusive access to special events, checklists, and blogs that are not available everywhere. Subscribe to our newsletter now at www.agilemanagementoffice.com/subscribe. You can also find us on most social media channels by searching 'Agile Ideas'. Follow me, your host, on LinkedIn - go to Fatimah Abbouchi - www.linkedin.com/in/fatimahabbouchi/ For all things Agile Ideas and to stay connected, visit our website below. It's your one-stop destination for all our episodes, blogs, and more. We hope you found today's episode enlightening. Until next time, keep innovating and exploring new Agile Ideas!Learn more about podcast host Fatimah Abbouchi...

Worldwide, the indices for democracy, human rights and security are under pressure. Upholding democratic values seems more urgent than ever. But ‘promoting democracy' in developing countries has been stained by associations with wars or neocolonial globalization. Moreover, what legitimacy do Western countries have, promoting values that are eroding within its own borders? Can we learn from democracy promotion methodologies in FCAS to strengthen democracy at home?  Thijs Berman is Executive Director at the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), so he struggles with these challenges every day. Their recent tracer study on democracy education offers an interesting entry point to discuss both the bigger questions, as well as the concrete practice of democracy promotion. He discusses this with our KPSRL's very own Head of Secretariat Sever Džigurski, who can also share some of his personal experiences in promoting democratic values and peace in the Balkans. ⁠Thijs Berman⁠ has been Executive Director of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) ⁠since January 2019. He has more than 30 years of experience in media, politics, and international development. Berman began his career as a journalist, and then became a Member of the European Parliament for the Dutch Labour Party. As an MEP he was a member of several committees, including the Committee on Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, and the Budget Committee. In addition, he has headed several European election observation missions. In the two years before joining NIMD, Berman worked as the Principal Advisor to the OSCE Representative of Freedom of the Media. ⁠Sever Džigurski⁠ is an activist and professional in the international development programs, institutional reform projects and civil society initiatives since the mid-1990s. Especially strong in qualitative and participatory research; knowledge management and learning, monitoring and evaluation; design and facilitation of learning and change processes. Passionate about meaningful participation, creative learning, critical analysis, peacebuilding and social change processes. He currently serves as the Head of Secretariat for the ⁠Knowledge Platform Security and Rule of Law⁠. Links as mentioned in the episode: Democracy Education (DE) page: https://nimd.org/what-we-do/democracy-education/ Mali publication: https://nimd.org/theme-brochures/lelue-a-graphic-novel-from-mali/ Click ⁠⁠here ⁠⁠for more information about the Fragile Truths podcast. Are you on Twitter? ⁠⁠Follow us⁠⁠ and tag ⁠⁠#FragileTruthsPodcast⁠⁠ to let us know what you think! You can also reach the ⁠⁠KPSRL Secretariat⁠⁠ at ⁠⁠info@kpsrl.org⁠⁠.

In this IDS Between the Lines podcast, IDS Research Fellow Peter Taylor, interviews Dirk-Jan Koch Chief Science Officer of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and author of the book: Foreign Aid and Its Unintended Consequences. They provide a clear overview of what side effects to anticipate when planning, executing, and evaluating aid.This podcast is an important listen for students new to development and particularly for development practitioners and policymakers alike as they embark on future aid strategies that are meant to benefit in-country recipients.About the intervieweeDirk-Jan Koch is Chief Science Officer of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is Special Professor of International Trade & Development Cooperation at Radboud University, the Netherlands. Views expressed in this book do not represent the official views of these institutions. About the interviewerPeter Taylor is Director of Research at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS). Previously he was Director, Strategic Development, at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Ottawa, Canada where he was responsible for leading IDRC's strategic planning processes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Minister of the Economy and Minister for Development Cooperation & Humanitarian Affairs for Luxembourg. Franz Fayot joined LSAP in 1994 and became its chairman in 2019. Before being elected, Minister Fayot was a barrister, appointed to Parliament in 2013 and 2018. In Parliament, Franz Fayot assumed the role of rapporteur for the draft budget for 2015 and focused on public finances, cultural policy, as well as on social justice and poverty issues. Following the cabinet reshuffle on 4 February 2020, Franz Fayot joined the coalition government and was appointed Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs and Minister of the Economy. Franz Fayot came from a very political family where his father was instrumental in his young thought processes on politics and how to fairly run a country. In this interview, we start by talking taxes. Franz Fayot sets out his own views, and that of LSAP, on the need for change to the tax bands, to make it more fair between single, married and widowed people, with or without children. He believes the very wealthiest should be taxed more on income but also on actual asset wealth. LSAP believes inheritance tax should remain as it is. Luxembourg's economy will be the focus of the ECO2050 conference next week: The ECO2050 strategic vision: a foresight tool in support of economic diversification There's an open invitation to all who are interested to attend on 26 September. Just register here: https://luxstrategie.gouvernement.lu/fr/evenements/3e-conference.html or here: https://my.weezevent.com/conference-luxembourg-strategie-2023 Naturally we talk about the housing issues in Luxembourg and LSAP's ideas around how to potentially help this. We also talk about who can vote and whether more residents might be able to vote in the future. Alongside the Ministry of the Economy, Franz Fayot is Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs. It is perhaps the work here which has had the deepest impact on him personally. Indeed, Minister Fayot is just back from the UN General Assembly where the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set out in 2015, and adopted by all member states, are far from being reached. Do let us know if you have any questions you would like to put to politicians As ever, you can find all the shows on Apple and Spotify! You can tune into Lisa's shows on RTL Today Radio Saturdays at 11am, Sundays at noon and Tuesdays at 10am.

In this episode, we delve into the recent coup in Niger, analyzing its implications and underscoring its significance on the global stage. On July 26th, the Presidential Guard took a daring step by placing President Mohamed Bazoum under house arrest, sealing the borders, imposing airspace restrictions, and boldly proclaiming the seizure of power. The world was caught off guard by this unforeseen upheaval, prompting a wave of sanctions and international condemnations.To provide deeper insights into this complex situation, we were privileged to speak with two distinguished individuals: Kamissa Camara, former Minister of Foreign Affairs in Mali and current Senior Advisor on Africa at the U.S. Institute of Peace, and Susan Fine, a retired Foreign Service officer with 30 years of experience at USAID. Their perspectives are informed by their extensive contacts in the region, a profound understanding of Niger, and their ability to share broader contextual insights about how this crisis unfolded.While it is tempting to perceive the coup as having no impact on the United States, the truth is there are several intricate complications that could arise if Niger becomes the fourth West African country to succumb to military leadership in the span of two years. The insights shared by Camara and Fine shed light on these complications and underscore the interconnectedness of global politics and stability. As the situation continues to develop, it becomes increasingly evident that proactive engagement and thoughtful consideration of these events are imperative, even for those geographically distant from the affected region.Kamissa Camara is a senior advisor for Africa at the U.S. Institute of Peace. She is a sub-Saharan Africa policy analyst and practitioner with 15 years of professional experience. She has served as Mali's minister of foreign affairs, minister of digital economy and planning, and most recently, as chief of staff to the president of Mali. Previous to that, she served as senior foreign policy advisor to the president. Prior to working with the Malian government, Camara held leadership positions in Washington, D.C. with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and PartnersGlobal. At NED, Camara co-founded and co-chaired the Sahel Strategy Forum. She also spearheaded a multi-million-dollar program supporting civil society initiatives in West and Central Africa, with a particular focus on the Sahel.From 2015 until 2018, she was the Sahel and sub-Saharan Africa instructor at the State Department's Foreign Service Institute where she trained U.S. diplomats. Susan Fine currently serves as the Board Chair of Rain for the Sahel and Sahara, a NH based-NGO that has partnered with rural and nomadic Nigeriens since 2001. She was Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, and Acting Assistant to the Administrator, in USAID's Bureau for Policy, Planning and Learning (PPL).  Ms. Fine, a retired Senior Foreign Service Officer with rank of Minister Counselor, served in multiple positions in Washington and overseas including Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator, PPL, Director for Development Cooperation, and Mission Director for Senegal and the Sahel, managing a complex, multi-sector portfolio in Senegal, the Sahel Resilience program and bilateral activities in Niger and Burkina Faso.  Prior to that, she was Director for East African Affairs in the Africa Bureau where she oversaw USAID's programs in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes countries.

The UK government will publish a white paper on international development by the end of 2023. It will set out their approach to international development to 2030. How can they best support gender equality? I have 7 evidence-based suggestions - relating to jobs, climate, lead-poisoning, culture and migration.

Esther DufloCollège de FrancePauvreté et politiques publiques2022-2023Séminaire - Lutter contre la pauvreté : de la science aux politiques publiques : Fostering the Funding of Innovation in Development CooperationIntervenant(s)Michael Kremer, Professor, University of Chicago

Esther DufloCollège de FrancePauvreté et politiques publiques2022-2023Colloque - Lutter contre la pauvreté : de la science aux politiques publiques : How Has Development Cooperation Been Transformed by the Surge in Rigorous Evidence? What Can We Do Better?Intervenant(s)Dean Karlan, Professor, Northwestern University; Chief Economist, USAIDArianna Legovini, Director, Development Impact Evaluation, World BankThomas Mélonio, Executive Director of Innovation, Strategy, and Research, Agence Française de DéveloppementCharlotte Watts, Chief Scientific Adviser and Director for Research and Evidence, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeModerated by Esther Duflo (Professor, Collège de France, MIT; J-PAL Director).

As the world grapples with the impact of overlapping crises, in September 2023, at the United Nations, political leaders will gather to take stock of their collective progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. While great progress has been made on a number of fronts, this has stalled in recent years, with new challenges reversing gains made towards achieving Agenda 2030. The pronounced increase in food prices, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the devastation caused by climate change and the spread of conflict are wreaking havoc on the lives and livelihoods of the world's poorest people. There has been a huge impact on levels of hunger and malnutrition, on levels of sexual violence, on access to education, and on women and girls in particular. In his address, Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, Seán Fleming, T.D. sets out Ireland's response to these interlinked challenges. The Irish Government is implementing an ambitious and targeted response in 2023, underpinned by its largest ever allocation for Official Development Assistance. This response remains guided by the principles and priorities of A Better World – Ireland's Policy for International Development- across its diplomacy, humanitarian response and development interventions – while recognising that for people in Africa and around the world, bearing the weight of these burdens is proving unsustainable.

This panel explores these nuances and tackle pressing questions: What are the pros and cons of China's involvement in Africa? Does China's aid and FDI pressure Western donors to adjust and improve their delivery? What are the long-term impacts of Chinese involvement and what does the future of China-Africa cooperation look like? Meet the speakers: Dr Sam Brazys (University College Dublin) Dr Huan Zou (SOAS) Chair: Dr Adam Harris Unfortunately Mr Solomzi Mhlana (1st Secretary Political, South African High Commission to the Great Britain and Northern Ireland) had to cancel and could not attend this seminar.

In Colombia, the coastal town of Buenaventura boasts one of the country's busiest ports. Local communities rely to a great extent on fisheries and aquaculture to make a living, and women make up a large part of the workforce. These women fish sellers – known as the Platoneras - work informally and earn low wages.  Like more than half of the world's population, they are not covered under any social protection scheme, making them particularly vulnerable to adverse shocks such as illness, injury, and the eventual onset of old age. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO, and its partners including the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, NORAD, are supporting the Platoneras to strengthen their livelihoods and improve their access to social protection schemes - all the while boosting the community's food security. Producers: Lis Sánchez, Heysel Calderón (FAO Colombia), Anais Hotin. Presenter: Laura Quiñones  Sound: Eric Deleu Photo: @ FAO/Heysel Calderón Music: Conectados

The global development domain currently faces huge challenges. Apart from trying to stimulate economic growth and ensuring a fair distribution of the benefits of that growth, national governments and their international partners must also tackle complex conflicts, provide humanitarian assistance, and not least address the harmful impacts of climate disruption. What then should the role of external actors be? How can good intentions be best mobilized into effective actions on the ground?Håvard Mokleiv Nygård is a Deputy Director-General of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, Norad, where he directs the Department of Knowledge. Until a few years ago, he was Research Director at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), where his research focused on armed conflict and political violence, peace building, and patterns of democratic development. Twitter: @havardmnResources:Joint statement by donors on locally led development (December 2022)Norwegian aid statistics (Norad.no)Key highlights Introduction - 00:49Foreign aid vs. development cooperation - 04:52Locally led development - 13:10The aid effectiveness debate - 24:15What works in global development and how to measure success - 43:49Bridging the gap between research and policy and the future of aid - 52:45Host:Professor Dan Banik, University of Oslo, Twitter: @danbanik  @GlobalDevPodApple Google Spotify YouTubehttps://in-pursuit-of-development.simplecast.com/

Special Episode 3 for the Week of the Italian Cuisine in the World in collaboration with Italian Institute of Culture in Nairobi. Development cooperation. Italian expertise for restoration and climate smart agriculture We discuss the role of the Italian Development Cooperation for a sustainable planet with Luigi Luminari. He is a widely experienced Rural Development and Food Security specialist with over 30 years of combined professional international experience across the fields of DRM, NRM, Integrated Rural Development, Climate Change Adaptation and Biodiversity Conservation, gained primarily across East Africa – Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. Luigi is Team Leader for Agriculture at the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in Nairobi.

Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: Eirik Mofoss named "Young leader of the year" in Norway, published by Jorgen Ljones on November 16, 2022 on The Effective Altruism Forum. Written by Jørgen Ljønes, managing director of Gi Effektivt and co-founder of the Norwegian effective altruism movement. Summary Eirik Mofoss was recently named “Young leader of the year” by the largest business newspaper in Norway. He is the co-founder of the Norwegian effective altruism movement and—as a member of Giving What We Can—donates 20 percent of his income to organisations that, through documented effectiveness, make a positive difference in the world. The award provided lots of valuable attention and traffic to EA Norway and Gi Effektivt, our donation plattform. We wanted to share and celebrate this, not only as a recognition of Eirik, but also for all the Norwegian EAs who has made this possible. Background Dagens Næringsliv (Norwegian for "Today's Business"), commonly known as DN, is the third-largest daily newspaper in Norway. Every year, DN nominates 30 people under the age of 30 who, through good ideas, entrepreneurial or leadership skills, represent guiding figures for others, and want to make the world more sustainable. First, DN's readership nominates a selection of people, then an independent jury picks the final 30, based on the UN's 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). The jury, together with readers, then selects a single winner, among people whose accomplishments have yielded some kind of measurable impact in the realm of sustainable development. The nomination of Eirik as a candidate for the award Eirik Mofoss co-founded the first Norwegian branch of the Effective Altruism movement at NTNU in 2014, and has remained true to his ideals ever since. Eirik has committed to donating 20 percent of his income for the rest of his life, and has—through his nomination—imparted his mode of working and living on a readership of over 150 000 people. He has also widely publicised his altruistic ideals through his earlier work, as adviser to both the Conservative Party in Parliament, as well as adviser to Norad (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation). According to the jury: Eirik Mofoss examines our fundamental assumptions about what aid currently is, and our vision for what it could be; how one can—and should—contribute, as a private citizen. DN's first interview with Eirik Mofoss quickly became their most read “30 under 30”-interview ever, and the newspaper's most read piece in 2022. Eirik Mofoss is 29 years old, born in Tromsø, in the north of Norway, and has a master's degree in industrial economics and technology management from NTNU. Mofoss has previously worked as a political and financial adviser for the Conservative Party of Norway, and as a business development manager for Visma. Almost ten years ago, he became a member of Giving What We Can, and committed to donating 20 percent of his income for the rest of his life. Mofoss co-founded the first effective altruism group in Norway in 2014 while studying at NTNU, and has later co-founded the foundation Gi Effektivt that fundraises for charities recommended by GiveWell. The jury's reasoning for naming Eirik "Young leader of the year" Eirik Mofoss shows us that our direct actions still yield impactful results during a time when many feel increasingly powerless. Mofoss builds bridges, and has skillfully integrated his personal and working lives. He seeks, through his activism and modes of thinking, to elevate the discourse around sustainability—away from individualistic critiques, and toward systemic ones. Mofoss' generation has been raised in the global labour aristocracy. Despite this, some of them have recognized the extent to which their privileges and positions can be used for good. Mofoss challenges how we as individuals can contribute, and works to ...

13 October 2022: In this Frankly Speaking Podcast, host Paul Taylor is joined by Chris Kremidas Courtney, Senior Fellow for Peace, Security & Defence, and Alexandros Diakopoulos, Former National Security Advisor; Vice Admiral (Retd); Managing Director for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid at Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss Turkey's quest for strategic autonomy and its ambitions for a ‘Blue Homeland' in the eastern Mediterranean. Tune in to find out what our speakers have to say. ---------------------- Linked Content ---------------------- Alexandros Diakopoulos's article on Turkey's ‘Blue Homeland' ambitions: https://www.friendsofeurope.org/insights/turkeys-blue-homeland-ambitions-why-europe-cant-afford-to-sit-on-the-fence-but-turkey-can/ Alexandros Diakopoulos and Nikos Stournaras's full report: Turkey's quest for Strategic Autonomy: https://frnds.eu/3Vo0alK The European Commission Türkiye Report 2022: https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/turkiye-report-2022_en

In the run-up to the next climate summit, COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, World Economic Forum President Børge Brende convened a panel of experts at the Sustainable Development Impact Meeting 2022 to take stock of global efforts to tackle the crisis.This Agenda Dialogues episode is the full audio of that session. Participants: Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation of Egypt Svein Tore Holsether, President and Chief Executive Officer, Yara International ASA Ville Skinnari, Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of Finland Andrew Steer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bezos Earth Fund Watch the session here:https://www.weforum.org/events/sustainable-development-impact-meetings-2022/sessions/the-geo-economics-of-climate-change Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/09/COP27-climate-change-SDIM-agenda dialogues Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: Radio Davos Meet the Leader WEF Book Club Podcast Agenda Dialogues Join the World Economic Forum Podcast ClubCatch up on all the action from the World Economic Forum's Sustainable Development Impact Meeting 2022 at https://www.weforum.org/events/sustainable-development-impact-meetings-2022 and across social media, using the hashtag #SDIM22.

In the run-up to the next climate summit, COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, World Economic Forum President Børge Brende convened a panel of experts at the Sustainable Development Impact Meeting 2022 to take stock of global efforts to tackle the crisis.This Agenda Dialogues episode is the full audio of that session. Participants: Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation of Egypt Svein Tore Holsether, President and Chief Executive Officer, Yara International ASA Ville Skinnari, Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of Finland Andrew Steer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bezos Earth Fund Watch the session here:https://www.weforum.org/events/sustainable-development-impact-meetings-2022/sessions/the-geo-economics-of-climate-change Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/09/cop27-climate-change-sdim-agenda-dialogues Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: Radio Davos Meet the Leader WEF Book Club Podcast Agenda Dialogues Join the World Economic Forum Podcast ClubCatch up on all the action from the World Economic Forum's Sustainable Development Impact Meeting 2022 at https://www.weforum.org/events/sustainable-development-impact-meetings-2022 and across social media, using the hashtag #SDIM22. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the run-up to the next climate summit, COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, World Economic Forum President Børge Brende convened a panel of experts at the Sustainable Development Impact Meeting 2022 to take stock of global efforts to tackle the crisis.This Agenda Dialogues episode is the full audio of that session.Participants:Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation of EgyptSvein Tore Holsether, President and Chief Executive Officer, Yara International ASAVille Skinnari, Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of FinlandAndrew Steer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bezos Earth FundWatch the session here:https://www.weforum.org/events/sustainable-development-impact-meetings-2022/sessions/the-geo-economics-of-climate-changeTranscript: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/09/cop27-climate-change-sdim-agenda-dialoguesCheck out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: Radio Davos Meet the Leader WEF Book Club Podcast Agenda DialoguesJoin the World Economic Forum Podcast ClubCatch up on all the action from the World Economic Forum's Sustainable Development Impact Meeting 2022 at https://www.weforum.org/events/sustainable-development-impact-meetings-2022and across social media, using the hashtag #SDIM22. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I was pleased to invite Elizabeth into the Virtual Studio to discuss the state of South Africa both its foreign policy in the midst of the Russian War against Ukraine, its participation in the BRICS and the state of its politics under the continuing governance by the ANC. Elizabeth Sidiropoulos is the chief executive of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), which she has led since 2005. She has over two decades of involvement in politics and international relations in South Africa, and her expertise lies in South Africa's foreign policy, South-South Cooperation and the role of emerging powers in Africa. Elizabeth is also the editor-in-chief of the South African Journal of International Affairs. Elizabeth has published on various aspects of South Africa's foreign policy. She has co-edited a volume on: Values, Interests and Power: South African Foreign Policy in Uncertain Times (2020), and she has also recently completed a collaboration with scholars across five continents on the Handbook on Development Cooperation for Achieving the 2030 Agenda, published by Palgrave in 2021. So join me in the Virtual Studio to discuss the state of South African politics and policy with Elizabeth Sidiropoulos.

                                  Ambassador André Haspels talks about why you should "Savor unique experiences"; the benefits of "Being modest" why you should "Make others look good" and more. Hosted by Siebe Van Der Zee About André Haspels André Haspels is the ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United States based in Washington, D.C.. Haspels grew up in Uithoorn in the province of Noord-Holland. His father was a flower trader who imported flowers from all over the word, including ferns from Florida. Since he was a young boy, Haspels has always seen flowers, and that's how he learned about agriculture and trade. Haspels studied politics at the Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam. In 1987, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he served in many capacities. In 1997, he became head of the Political Department at the embassy in South Africa (Pretoria), where he was involved in the cooperation between the two nations, among others in the setup of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He later served as ambassador in Vietnam and South Africa and most recently as director general of political affairs in the Hague. Joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1987 and followed its diplomatic service training program. Held the following posts: 1988 – 1990     Policy officer, Political and Economic Affairs Section at the embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Writing political reports, maintaining contacts, focus on economy and trade. 1990 – 1992     Press secretary to Minister for European Affairs Piet Dankert, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague 1992 – 1994     Seconded National Expert (SNE) at the European Commission in Brussels, DG 23 (business policy/SMEs). Preparing and implementing partnership programmes for European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) focused on cooperation within the EU and with SMEs in non-member states (e.g. EuroMed partnership). 1994 – 1996     Secondment to the office of the Committee on International Policy/European Affairs at the House of Representatives. Responsible for setting up a monitoring system for new Committee proposals and promoting knowledge and understanding within the Permanent Committee on EU Affairs. 1997 – 2000     Head of the Political Affairs Section at the embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. Responsible for drawing up political reports, maintaining networks and coordinating political partnership programmes (e.g. democratisation projects, Truth and Reconciliation Commission).        2000 – 2005     Head of the External Affairs Division of the European Integration Department (DIE), Ministry of Foreign Affairs. EU external relations (enlargement, association agreements, European development cooperation). Also involved in 2004 Dutch EU Presidency in an implementing role (preparing events, including a ministerial meeting). 2005 – 2008     Ambassador in Hanoi, Vietnam. Bilateral ties between Vietnam and the Netherlands, and embassy management. 2008 – 2009     Director of the Sub‑Saharan Africa Department. Bilateral Africa policy (on politics, security, development cooperation and economic affairs), setting the department's course. 2009 – 2011     Deputy Director-General for International Cooperation (Plv-DGIS). Setting the Directorate-General's course, policy adviser to the Minister for Development Cooperation, deputy member of the Ministry's Senior Management Board. Jointly responsible for staff-related and financial matters within the Directorate-General. 2011 – 2014     Ambassador in Pretoria, South Africa. Bilateral ties between South Africa and the Netherlands (also accredited to Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho and Botswana). 2014 – 2016     Deputy Director-General for Political Affairs (Plv-DGPZ), helping set the Directorate-General's course, policy adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, deputy member of the Ministry's Senior Management Board. 2016-2019  Director-General for Political Affairs (DGPZ), setting the Directorate-General's course, policy adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, member of the Ministry's Senior Management Board. 2019-present   Ambassador in the United States of America. Bilateral ties between the United States and the Netherlands.   Episode Notes Set achievable goals 07:56 Be modest 10:57 Make others look good ("make them shine") 13:48 Give people trust and space 15:31 Be accountable to yourself and to others 19:11 The circle of close family is highly important 23:34 “Never stop learning” 27:39 Try to enjoy 30:53 Savor unique experiences 35:11 Know yourself 40:23

Babaye'g Kalinaw is a series of interviews of women peacebuilders of the Municipality of Lianga. Hear the stories of mothers, wives, sisters and peace leaders making each of their community better and more peaceful each day. This are the stories of Wilma & Marichel. This is the Bisaya Version edited and aired by the SureFm 97.5mhz Tandag City. The English dubbed version will be made available soon. Produced with support of the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. Produced by Balay Mindanaw Caraga/KalinawRadio Network.

Babaye'g Kalinaw is a series of interviews of women peacebuilders of the Municipality of Lianga. Hear the stories of mothers, wives, sisters and peace leaders making each of their community better and more peaceful each day. This is the story of Jinky. This is the Bisaya Version edited and aired by the SureFm 97.5mhz Tandag City. The English dubbed version will be made available soon. Produced with support of the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. Produced by Balay Mindanaw Caraga/KalinawRadio Network.

Babaye'g Kalinaw is a series of interviews of women peacebuilders of the Municipality of Lianga. Hear the stories of mothers, wives, sisters and peace leaders making each of their community better and more peaceful each day. This is the story of Rowena. This is the Bisaya Version edited and aired by the SureFm 97.5mhz Tandag City. The English dubbed version will be made available soon. Produced with support of the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. Produced by Balay Mindanaw Caraga/KalinawRadio Network.

Babaye'g Kalinaw is a series of interviews of women peacebuilders of the Municipality of Lianga. Hear the stories of mothers, wives, sisters and peace leaders making each of their community better and more peaceful each day. These are the stories of Maria & Ellen. This is the Bisaya Version edited and aired by the SureFm 97.5mhz Tandag City. The English dubbed version will be made available soon. Produced with support of the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. Produced by Balay Mindanaw Caraga/KalinawRadio Network.

Babaye'g Kalinaw is a series of interviews of women peacebuilders of the Municipality of Lianga. Hear the stories of mothers, wives, sisters and peace leaders making each of their community better and more peaceful each day. This is the story Jovelyn. This is the Bisaya Version edited and aired by the SureFm 97.5mhz Tandag City. The English dubbed version will be made available soon. Produced with support of the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. Produced by Balay Mindanaw Caraga/KalinawRadio Network.

In this episode Jana meets Mirjam Luthe, a wonderful teacher for mindfulness, self-compassion, gratefulness and contemplative nature practices. In their conversation they come full circle: talking about birth and death and grace and dignity in motherhood. YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: the power of sitting in circle the Beginning Anew Practice from Plum village as a family ritual how to be vulnerable as parents self-compassion the gifts of experiencing interconnectedness with nature the importance of honoring birth and death RESOURCES: Beginning Anew Practice Beginning Anew with Mother Earth Practice Walk in beauty ABOUT MIRJAM LUTHE Mirjam, MA International Cultural & Business Studies, Development Cooperation & NGO Management, was most of her work life engaged in consultancy in development cooperation and had switched to learning and teaching mindfulness-based interventions only after 2008. She now is a practising Certified MSC, Certified MBSR, Yoga Teacher and “Awake in the Wild” Nature Meditation Teacher. She is trained in the Mindful Schools Curriculum, and continuously explores Council Practice and contemplative dialog forms as a means to invite equity and build bridges and weave new threads in-midst of diversity, e.g. with the Zen Peace Makers. She cooperates with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion (CMSC) since 2016 in international affairs and global engagement and teaches at UC Irvine Susan Samueli Integrated Health Institute and at Monviso Institute (Piedmont) in the MOOC "Designing Resilient Regenerative Systems". Mirjam has taught Mindful Self-Compassion in Germany, Italy, Vietnam and in California, for CMSC, Arbor Seminare, Benediktushof, AVE Institut (Germany). Since its foundation in 2012, she is engaged in the core team of the European Network for Grateful Living „Dankbar leben“, founded by Brother David Steindl-Rast. She has lived in Brazil, France, Italy, Spain, California and other countries, her home base with three teens being Freiburg, Germany. She passionately stands for a socially engaged practice nourished from the dharma, in order to contribute to peace in oneself and in the world: learning in community to listen more deeply to oneself, to another and to the Earth, towards a new understanding of life from a rather eco- than ego-centric worldview, which leads to skilful action is part of her teaching path. She is a lover of being out in nature with her backpack, traveling and learning different languages, the arts, dance, and being a self-compassionate learner in "just being” thanks to the musical instruments shakuhachi and handpan. To continue the conversation, join us on Facebook and Instagram.

Babaye'g Kalinaw is a series of interviews of women peacebuilders of the Municipality of Lianga. Hear the stories of mothers, wives, sisters and peace leaders making each of their community better and more peaceful each day. This is the story of Charlene Montenegro. This is the Bisaya Version edited and aired by the SureFm 97.5mhz Tandag City. The English dubbed version will be made available soon. Produced with support of the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. Produced by Balay Mindanaw Caraga/KalinawRadio Network.

POLICY SEMINAR Advancing Food Systems Transformation: Dialogue between German Development Cooperation and CGIAR Co-organized by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), CGIAR, IFPRI and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) FEB 23, 2022 - 9:30 TO 11:00AM EST For decades, Germany has been a reliable partner in international agricultural research to support sustainable food systems transformation. With GIZ and KfW among the implementers, BMZ has funded numerous bilateral projects, has committed to fund the new, large-scale initiatives of One CGIAR, and supports experts at international agricultural research centers. Under the CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs) and continuing with the One CGIAR reform process and related initiatives, CGIAR research has combined food systems research and innovations with a strong policy interface, informing a growing number of policies and impacting more livelihoods than ever before. At this important juncture in which Germany has a new government and CGIAR has announced its complete portfolio of One CGIAR initiatives, it is useful to identify joint research-for-development opportunities for collaboration between Germany and CGIAR, particularly given the growing food insecurity, malnutrition, and climate crisis. A key area of deliberation will involve further improving the science-policy interface for research to better communicate and inform agricultural policies, strategies, and implementation toward sustainable food system transformation in the face of multiple crises at country, regional, and global levels. This webinar focuses on the importance of international food systems research and the science-policy interface for advancing key actions in Germany's strategic directions for agriculture and food and in One CGIAR strategy and initiatives. It will showcase CGIAR's work and contributions to Germany's international cooperation in the area of agriculture, food systems, and food security, and will identify joint priorities, opportunities, and entry points for collaboration given Germany's strategic directions and One CGIAR's initiatives. LINKS CGIAR: https://www.cgiar.org/ Federal Ministry For Economic Cooperation And Development: https://www.bmz.de/en Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ): https://www.giz.de/en/html/index.html More on the seminar: https://www.ifpri.org/event/science-policy-interface-catalyst-sustainable-food-system-transformation-role-international Subscribe to IFPRI Insights newsletter and event announcements at www.ifpri.org/content/newsletter-subscription

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will join Belgium's Minister of Development Cooperation, Ms Meryame Kitir, on a high-level visit to Cape Town on February 11 and 12. They will visit the mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub and other facilities involved in the response to COVID-19 and the protection of public health. WHO's chief scientist, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, explained the choice of mRNA as the first technology transfer hub after earlier welcoming the rapid development of vaccines against the pandemic. Swaminathan says Chronic vaccine inequity resulted to a large extent because of the lack of manufacturing capacity and facilities and getting medicines to where they are needed.

We've all heard it before: fashion, and in particular fast fashion, is one of the most polluting industries. So how can we put unsustainable practices out of fashion?   In this episode of #Positive Leaders, we look at how Aigle, a French clothing and footwear label, and Rifo, an Italian circular fashion startup, are driving change in the garment and footwear industries. Sandrine Conseiller, CEO of Aigle, believes that customers are now conscious of their impact and vote through their wallets.  We learn about the motivation behind Aigle's decision to become a mission-driven company, as well as the implications for the production line. Niccolo Cipriani, tells us about  the journey that led him to leave his job for the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Vietnam and launch Rifo in Italy, a social enterprise  manufacturing garments and accessories from recycled and recyclable textile fibers.  Together, we explore how to entice more people to choose sustainable fashion brands, how more traditional companies can take concrete actions to act for the common good, if there is an evolution in the demand for sustainable fashion, what role Europe can play in this transition, as well as how legislation and culture can help accelerate the change. 

Iris Van der Veken is Executive Director and Board Member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (https://www.responsiblejewellery.com), the world's leading standard setting organization for the jewellery industry, promoting standards that underpin people's trust in the worldwide jewellery. Responsible Jewellery Council was founded in 2005 by 14 member organizations including: ABN AMRO, BHP Billiton Diamonds, Cartier, World Jewellery Confederation, Diamond Trading Company (part of De Beers), Diarough, Jewelers of America, National Association of Goldsmiths (UK), Newmont Mining, Rio Tinto, Rosy Blue, Signet Group, Tiffany & Co., and Zale Corporation. With a University of Antwerp Bachelor of Law, Iris is a coalition-builder with over 20 years global experience of working in technology, diamonds and jewelry, fashion and government. Iris was actively involved in the development of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Code of Practices, and managed the first global RJC pilot audit in partnership with SGS - the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. Iris is also a board member of Diamonds Do Good (https://www.diamondsdogood.com), a global nonprofit organization whose mission is supporting programs that develop and empower people in natural diamond communities and sharing these stories of positive impact. Iris established and chaired the Network of the United Nations Global Compact Belgium in partnership with the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, chaired the consultative and advisory body to the Office of the Children's Rights Commissioner in Flanders, and was honored by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs of Belgium for initiating the Global Compact and for her work on promoting corporate social responsibility with a focus on human rights including children's rights and the role of business.

The Economic Club of Minnesota hosted Ville Skinnari on October 20, 2021. The Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of Finland addressed the club prior to signing a Letter of Understanding with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz paving the way for more trade between Finland and Minnesota. Skinnari covered crucial topics such as Finland's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2035, how Minnesota is a close trade partner for Finland, and how public private partnerships are crucial to getting things accomplished. 

In the webinars 'The decolonization of aid' KUNO, Partos, and The Institute of Social Studies (ISS) take one step back and approach the discussion on the decolonization of aid in a series of talks. Step by step, we highlight an aspect of this debate. We ask two experts to engage in a conversation with one another to explore the controversies and perhaps find some common grounds.This fifth dialogue focusses on the role of the donor with regards to the decolonisation of aid with Smruti Patel (Founder & Director Global Mentoring Initiative and Founder and Member of Alliance for Empowering Partnership) and Dirk-Jan Koch (Professor International Trade & Development Cooperation at Radboud University Nijmegen)The webinar is moderated by Kiza Magendane (The Broker).

Host - Sveta and Ben Banerjee Special Guests: H.E. Ms. Elisabeth von Capeller Ambassador of Switzerland to Nepal Mr. Bhattarai from Embassy of Switzerland Mr. Tim Gocher, CEO of Dolma Impact Fund This time we travel to Nepal. All our viewers who want to learn how Swiss embassy and Swiss Agency for development and Cooperation are actively fostering private sector development and impact investment eco-system. We will also be joined by the CEO of the Dolma Impact Fund. For the entrepreneurial audience of ours, the discussion will include the criteria and procedure of these investments. Ambassador Elisabeth von Capeller from Switzerland did her master's degree in agricultural engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. Later on she worked at Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in Cameroon. In 2007, Ms von Capeller moved to the SDC cooperation office in Nepal where she was Head of Cooperation and Deputy Head of Mission from 2009. In 2011, she was appointed Head of the South Asia Division, Head of Conflict and Human Rights. In February 2018, she was appointed as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Nepal. Mr. Bhattarai is an economist at the Embassy of Switzerland and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in Nepal. As the focal point for private sector engagement at the Embassy and SDC, he has an experience of working closely with a diverse set of partners such as government agencies, entrepreneurs, foreign and local investors, financial institutions, and other key stakeholders in Nepal's entrepreneurship ecosystem. Tim is the founder and CEO of Dolma Impact Fund, the first international private equity fund focussed on Nepal. He is an investment executive with a background in renewable energy and Technology. He is also Hon. Professor of Sustainable Business at The University of Nottingham and Guest Lecturer at London Business School where he gained his MBA.

In the webinars 'The decolonization of aid' KUNO, Partos, and The Institute of Social Studies (ISS) take one step back and approach the discussion on the decolonization of aid in a series of talks. Step by step, we highlight an aspect of this debate. We ask two experts to engage in a conversation with one another to explore the controversies and perhaps find some common grounds. This podcast is the recording of the opening statements of Smruti Patel (Founder & Director Global Mentoring Initiative and Founder and Member of Alliance for Empowering Partnership) and Dirk-Jan Koch (Professor International Trade & Development Cooperation at Radboud University Nijmegen). The full webinar with Patel and Koch is available under the title Decolonisation of aid: Dialogue #5 – The role of the donor (October 2021).

In the webinars 'The decolonization of aid' KUNO, Partos, and The Institute of Social Studies (ISS) take one step back and approach the discussion on the decolonization of aid in a series of talks. Step by step, we highlight an aspect of this debate. We ask two experts to engage in a conversation with one another to explore the controversies and perhaps find some common grounds.This fourth dialogue focusses on ethical and moral perspectives related to the decolonisation of aid with Aarathi Krishnan (Strategic Foresight Advisor at UNDP) and Hugo Slim (Senior Research Fellow at University of Oxford).The webinar is moderated by Kiza Magendane (The Broker).

In the webinars 'The decolonization of aid' KUNO, Partos, and The Institute of Social Studies (ISS) take one step back and approach the discussion on the decolonization of aid in a series of talks. Step by step, we highlight an aspect of this debate. We ask two experts to engage in a conversation with one another to explore the controversies and perhaps find some common grounds.This podcast is the recording of the opening statements of Aarathi Krishnan (Strategic Foresight Advisor at UNDP) and Hugo Slim (Senior Research Fellow at University of Oxford).The full webinar with Krishnan and Slim is available under the title Decolonisation of aid: Dialogue #4 - an ethical perspective (September 2021).

We live in volatile, uncertain, and complex times. So, how do we navigate an age of uncertainty and complexity in global development? In this series, we explore the Future of Partos - the Dutch Development Cooperation Association that brings together nearly 110 Dutch Development NGOs.In this episode we talk with Marie-Louise about digitalisation for development. What is digitalisation for development, what are the future uncertainties when it comes to the digital divide, digital economies and digital security and how is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Netherlands accelerating the digitalisation for development agenda?Marie-Louise Wijne is senior policy advisor on digitalisation and development at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She is also PhD Candidate at the Africa Studies Centre at Leiden University, where her research focuses on the use of digital data in development cooperation programmes.1. The Netherlands' Digital Agenda for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation was published in June 2019. 2. The IT4D. no publication showcases 33 examples of of development programmes, funded by the Netherlands, with a strong digital component. 3. The Digital Inclusion Benchmark was developed by the World Benchmarking Alliance with support from the Netherlands. It uses a methodology bases on four themes (access, skills, use and innovation) to benchmark the world's most influential technology companies on their contribution to bridging the digital divide. 

In the webinars 'The decolonization of aid' KUNO, Partos, and The Institute of Social Studies (ISS) take one step back and approach the discussion on the decolonization of aid in a series of talks. Step by step, we highlight an aspect of this debate. We ask two experts to engage in a conversation with one another to explore the controversies and perhaps find some common grounds. This scond dialogue focusses on the perspective from development cooperation with Tulika Srivastava (Director Women's Fund Asia) and Lydia Zigomo (Global Programmes Director at Oxfam International). The webinar is moderated by Kiza Magendane (The Brooker) and Thea Hilhorst (International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University).

PODCAST: This week, Myanmar’s economic crisis deepens. There are now predictions that half of Myanmar’s population will be impoverished by next year. The working poor have lost their incomes and hunger is now a looming reality for millions across the country. This story by journalists from Frontier Myanmar. Doh Athan is a weekly podcast which looks at human rights issues from around Myanmar. It is made by Frontier with media partners from around the country. Doh Athan is made through a partnership with Fondation Hirondelle and the support of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Myanmar and the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation.

PODCAST: This week, we look at the effect of internet shutdowns in Myanmar. Rural people now have few sources they can turn to for independent, credible information. With the shut down of many press outlets as well, people are increasingly starved for information. This story is by Mon News Agency. Doh Athan is a weekly podcast which looks at human rights issues from around Myanmar. It is made by Frontier with media partners from around the country. Doh Athan is made through a partnership with Fondation Hirondelle and the support of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Myanmar and the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation.

PODCAST:This week, our podcast looks at wrongful arrest. There are numerous cases of security forces deliberately arresting family members of suspects when they can’t locate the suspect. It’s illegal, and a fundamental breach of human rights. This story is brought to you by journalists from Frontier Myanmar. Doh Athan is a weekly podcast which looks at human rights issues from around Myanmar. It is made by Frontier with media partners from around the country. Doh Athan is made through a partnership with Fondation Hirondelle and the support of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Myanmar and the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation.

A high-level dialogue discussing the need for a move beyond a reactive model of responding to humanitarian emergencies and conflicts to a proactive, preventative model that secures inclusive approaches and long-term commitment to support and sustain peace. Investing in Peace: Advancing the Prevention Agenda is part of a series of dialogues co-hosted by the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to explore the Nobel Peace Prize 2020, awarded to the World Food Programme. The event will explore the interrelation between hunger and conflict, food security and peace and the role of food security in building more peaceful societies. It will open with keynote interventions followed by interventions by practitioners to showcase how strategies are being translated into action on the ground. With: Flemming Møller Mortensen, Minister for Development Cooperation and Minister for Nordic Cooperation, Denmark Dag-Inge Ulstein, Minister of International Development, Norway David Beasley, Executive Director, World Food Programme Denise Brown, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Central African Republic Corinne Fleischer, Regional Director, MENA UN World Food Programme Moderator Kjersti Fløgstad, Executive Director, Nobel Peace Center

Vaccine equity is the fastest way to end the pandemic globally. And I quote what you said, Minister, earlier today. You said that a global crisis needs a global answer. I fully agree. And that’s why we also say that to vaccinate is one of the global solutions and that will speed up the ending of the pandemic globally. And you stressed strongly that global solutions start from solida

Today is the beginning of a new series in which we talk with different team members about their jobs and responsibilities at MELA. In the first session we get to know Larissa Wood who is responsible for our MELA development project in Sri Lanka. Some of the questions raised include: What is develoPPP.de? And what is MELA doing in the project in Sri Lanka? We also hear from one of our project partners in Sri Lanka about the Home Gardening Program, aimed at raising awareness about organic farming amongst the employees of rubber plantations. If you want to know more about natural rubber listen to: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3G1M92MIvKYwLpROhTswzm?si=qxig7Y9CT1qT3RRwsSGUqg

In January, China published a blueprint for how it plans to become one of the world's leading countries in international and development. The white paper on "China's International's Development Cooperation in the New Era" released by the State Council updates two previous strategy documents and outlines Beijing's ambitious plans to overhaul its current, rather limited, aid and development initiatives around the world.But the paper also makes it clear that the Chinese don't have any plans to conform their new aid agenda to those of Western-led international organizations and donor states. Instead, the new strategy talks about new "diverse forms" of aid and the integration of China's development policies with other initiatives like the Belt and Road.The timing of this new aid plan is also critical as many of those traditional donors are under mounting pressure to cut their foreign aid budgets -- the implications of what the Chinese say they want to do could be significant for Africa and other developing regions.Stella Hong Zhang, a PhD candidate at George Mason University in the United States, is among the world's leading experts on Chinese international aid and development. She described the new white paper as a "landmark document" and joins Eric & Cobus to discuss why she feels it's so important.JOIN THE DISCUSSION:Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProjectTwitter: @eolander | @stadenesque | @StellaHongZhangSUBSCRIBE TO THE CAP'S DAILY EMAIL NEWSLETTER:Your subscription supports independent journalism. Subscribers get the following:1. A daily email newsletter of the top China-Africa news.2. Access to the China-Africa Experts Network3. Unlimited access to the CAP's exclusive analysis content on chinaafricaproject.com

Session 2: Digitalization of agricultural services and policy analysis December 08, 2020 Brief overview of key recommendations from policy note: Ms. Yumna Kassim, IFPRI Presentation of Monitoring Agricultural Projects in Egypt (MAP Egypt) Ms. Hagar ElDidi, IFPRI Commentator: Dr. Ismail El Faramawy, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and Development Partners Group – Agriculture and Rural Development Moderator: Ms. Yumna Kassim, Research Associate, IFPRI LINKS: MAP Egypt: https://mapegypt.org/#/en?_k=ms3oaj Symposium Policy Notes (in Englisha and Arabic): https://ebrary.ifpri.org/digital/collection/p15738coll2/search/searchterm/Symposium%20policy%20note/field/title/mode/all/conn/and/order/title/ad/asc Other EIBC Publications: https://ebrary.ifpri.org/digital/collection/p15738coll2/search/searchterm/EIBC/field/ifpri/mode/all/conn/and IFPRI-Egypt Office: http://egyptssp.ifpri.info/ Book: COVID-19 And Global Food Security: http://bit.ly/IFPRICovidBook IFPRI Resources And Analyses Of COVID-19 Impact: https://www.ifpri.org/covid-19

Annette Schmitz: [1] Welcome, listeners, the first episode of our podcast series, What's in Your Toolbox? My name is Annette Schmitz from the TADAT Secretariat. To kick off the series, let's travel virtually to Norway. In 2017, the government of Norway relaunched its TFD program, a Tax For Development program. They relaunched this program as a response to obligations under the ATI the Addis Tax Initiative. [2] The TFD program provides financial support to different multilateral organizations involved in tax reforms. Several organizations have developed tools to support tax administrations and tax system reforms. As the number of available tools continues to grow, so does the complexity in selecting the right tool or combination of tools. [3] It's important to understand the characteristics and comparative advantages of the different tools and frameworks that are currently available or in development. With this background, NORAD, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation and the NTA, the Norwegian Tax Administration, map the selection of analytical tools and frameworks developed to support tax administrations and tax system reforms. [4] In the report, Reforms of Tax Administration and Systems, a mapping of current analytical tools and frameworks, the following tools were selected for mapping. Among the Revenue Administration Analytical Assessment Tools, the report includes the OECD’s FTA, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Forum on Tax Administration Maturity Models, the IMF, the International Monetary Fund's RA-GAP, short for Revenue Administration Gap analysis, TADAT, the Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool. [5] Also included are the European Union's Tax Administration Fiscal Blueprints, FB for short, and the World Bank's Tax Diamond, the development of implementation and monitoring directives for tax reform tool. [6] The data collection and reporting tools included in Norway's mapping exercises are ATAF’s ATO, the African Tax Administration Forum's African Tax Outlook, the ATI’s indicators, the IMF's International Survey on Revenue Administration were often referred to as ISORA, and USAID CTD, the United States Agency for International Development Collecting Taxes database. [7] The mapping includes a comparison of scope, coverage, and the relevant characteristics that are important to understand the differences, similarities and comparative advantages of the tools. A few country examples are included in the report. The country examples described the impact on the recipient tax administrations and tax administrations experiences with the assessment process. [8] They also highlight how tax administrations have different approaches when selecting tools and utilizing results. Joining me today is Frode Lindseth, and he is senior advisor in the capacity building unit of the NTA, and the man behind this mapping exercise. Welcome, Frode. Frode Lindseth: [9] Thank you, Annette, and thanks to you and the TADAT Secretary for giving me this opportunity to talk about this exercise further. Annette Schmitz: [10] Frode, can you start by explaining what we mean when we say tools to support tax administrations and reforms? Frode Lindseth: [11] Well, I haven't seen one clear definition, but I guess you can say that they're all designed around guidance and support for tax administrations for different purposes and to support different stages of the reforms. And I think it's fair to say that they're all designed around good international practice to guide improvements. [12] Then they kind of separate when it comes to coverage, assessment and modality and involvement in the unit from the tax administration. And I just want to underline that this mapping exercise is about a selection of tools for tax administrations only PMF tools, tax policy tools, etc. are not included in this method. Annette Schmitz: [13] So walk us through the process. Why did the NTA and NORAD decide to take on this initiative and conduct a mapping exercise of select tax administration analytical tools and frameworks? Frode Lindseth: [14] Yes. OK, so just a short recap on the background. As you said, Norway relaunched its tax for development program back in 2017. This program includes financial support to different organizations, but it also includes an agreement with the Norwegian tax administration as a key component in the bilateral workstream in the program. This is basically where the NTA comes in. [15] So when we decided to do this, the capacity building team in NTA, we realized that during our scoping and design of missions that there were quite a few tools out there, which was great because we got the pressure to reuse diagnostic results as input to our capacity building programs. [16] But at the same time, we saw that the number of tools kept growing and so the complexity for all involved to understand and select the right tool or in some cases maybe combinations of tools. Also, at that time, we saw that it was not easy to find out if an assessment had been done and it was not always easy to get access to results. [17] Further, we couldn't really find one easy to access source of information on all the tools, comparative advantages, and from NORAD's side as a donor, it was important to get a deeper understanding about the different tools and their differences. Annette Schmitz: [18] So that was the why the mapping exercise was done. Can you tell us about how it was done? What was the selection criteria for the tools that were mapped out in this report? Frode Lindseth: [19] Yes, in 2019, the PCT Annette Schmitz:  and by PCT we mean the Platform for Collaboration on Tax  Frode Lindseth: The PCT published a progress report with a complete list of existing tools mapped by what stage they best supported in a reform. And this overview confirmed that there were quite a few tools in place. And we made a selection based on our thoughts about use and coverage. [20] So we ended up with the nine tools that you listed in the beginning, and we classify them into groups basically following the same classification as in the PCT report. So, this was our starting point and we designed a survey where we believe that by systemizing the responses, we would get a more systematic and detailed information on different tools, which we thought would facilitate more informed decisions on what tool to select or combination. [21] And we also thought that this mapping would contribute to reuse of results with the purpose to minimize the burden on all involved. We also hope that this mapping could add some input to future development of new tools or maybe modules in existing. So the main source of information for this mapping exercise are the written responses to this survey we received from the different tool owners. Annette Schmitz: [22] And what did you discover through this exercise? Frode Lindseth: [23] When we started this, we had this idea or this picture about a table listing all the tools and their characteristics organized in rows and columns, making it easy to identify differences and potential overlap. But we soon realized that there were so many dimensions in play that it was not possible to simplify and squeeze it all together in a simple table. [24] And I guess that leads us to one of the main findings. They're all different. There is no tool that ticks all the boxes. And there is there are no perfect overlap between tools or modules. They are all different and have their special features when it comes to modules in play and coverage. When it comes to what stage in a tax reform process, the best support. And there are differences in assessment and modality. [25] Some of the tools are designed for assessment by trained staff, others not. And there are huge differences in the main steps in the assessment process. And last but not least, there are differences in the involvement required from all involved, including tax administrations. I would like to point to the report for more details on what tools do and what they don't and how. Annette Schmitz: [26] Frode, you've mapped out these select tools. What's next? Frode Lindseth: [27] First, I just want to clarify that I am not a big fan of the idea of merging as many tools as possible and ending up with maybe only one or very few. I think there is, and it should always be a free market for good ideas on how to assess support and improve performance in tax administrations. [28] And I think the main message after this mapping is that they are all different and should be selected and used based on specific needs and capacity. So what's next? Starting with the donors. Donors need to coordinate among themselves and make sure that the need for new tools are well-documented. [29] My point is basically that when new tools are developed, this should not only be supply driven by one organization but should be done in consultations with all relevant stakeholders. And I guess TADAT is one example, a good one. The story about TADAT started with a feasibility study back in 2011 with the purpose to determine the need for developing a new tool for assessing the performance of tax administrations. [30] Moving on to the tool owners, I think they should continue to coordinate and look for opportunities to merge definitions and data collection processes where possible. And I think ISORA is a good example on how several organizations came together and managed to merge the data collection process. [31] Tool owners should continue to look for opportunity to publish reports or at least results or information about ongoing DRM activities. One example I would like to mention is a database just made available from PCT webpage that brings together all DRM activities by PCT partners. Next, I think tool owners need to do a regular stock take and update on available tools. [32] And finally, I think it would be good with some guidance on how different tools complement each other and how they can be used together in different stages of a tax reform. Annette Schmitz: [33] You recommend there should be guidance with how tools complement each other. What do you mean? Frode Lindseth: [34] I think that selecting the right combination of tools is not easy and I think guidance on how this could be done is needed. In the report, we added a few country examples to show how different countries have different approaches when it came to selecting tools or combination of tools, and how they use the results. [35] Peru and Uganda are good examples. They both had several assessments done over the last years using different tools, and they both had good learning effects from all assessments. And they found ways that they could use results from the different assessments to improve performance. Annette Schmitz: [36] And what about tax administrations, what should they do? Frode Lindseth: [37] Administrations should familiarize themselves with tools and frameworks available and then choose, if they can, based on their specific needs and capacity. And I think we need to help them on a regular stock take on available tools would be one of the things that should be done. [38] As a good example, I would like to point to Poland, where the revenue administration considered different tools to support a specific need they had at a specific time, and they selected based on what they found to be the best fit for that specific purpose. Annette Schmitz: [39] So Frode, since you've worked on and published this report, the world is quite different due to the covid-19 pandemic, are there any implications for your report? Frode Lindseth: [40] At the time we did this, covid-19 was not an issue, but if it had, I think it would be interesting to know how, or, and if these tools had adapted to this situation. I understand that TADAT assessments are done remotely at the moment. Annette Schmitz: [41] Correct. TADAT went virtual March 13th, 2020. Since then, we've conducted many virtual trainings, and Colombia, Georgia, Dominica and South Africa have undergone virtual assessments. Frode Lindseth: [42] You cannot see it in another way. These tools will be more important given this new situation, and I guess it all boils down to how flexible they are and how easily they can adapt to the new situation. Annette Schmitz: [43] So Frode, to sum up, what are the main takeaways from this report? Frode Lindseth: [44] Looking at the landscape of tools there are quite a few of them. I think a regular stock take, an update on tools available, together with some guidance on how different tools complement each other, is needed to help tax administration choose and help donors prioritize. Access to the information on what the tools do and don't do, is needed. No tool ticks all the boxes, although some are quite close. Annette Schmitz: [45] Tell me which ones come close Frode? Frode Lindseth: [46] Well, I guess I can't tell you because you need to read the book to find out who the owner is, and you need to read there being a report to find out what tool is best for you. Annette Schmitz: [47] Thank you so much for. It was a pleasure speaking with you today. Frode Lindseth: [48] Thank you. And thank you for the opportunity to talk about this, being the report. Annette Schmitz: [49] For a more in-depth look at the mapping exercise, please visit the NORAD.NO website. Thank you for listening, ‘til next time.

In this inaugural event of the IIEA's new Global Europe project, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini addresses Europe's global role and the future of the multilateral system. She argues that the COVID-19 crisis is a critical juncture for the multilateral system and that redefining Europe's role on the international stage will be crucial for Europe to emerge stronger in a post-pandemic world. About the Speaker:   Federica Mogherini has been the Rector of the College of Europe since September 2020. She has co-chaired the United Nations High Level Panel on Internal Displacement since January 2020. Previously she served as the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, from 2014 to 2019. Prior to joining the European Commission, she was Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (2014), and a Member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies (2008-14). In her parliamentary capacity, she was Head of the Italian Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and Vice-President of its Political Committee (2013-14); member of the Italian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (2008-13); Secretary of the Defence Committee (2008-13); and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. She also coordinated the Inter-Parliamentary Group for Development Cooperation.

Vladimir Pacheco is currently an Associate Professor in Governance and coordinator of the International Studies programme at the Department of Global Studies in the School of Culture and Society, Aarhus University, Denmark. His current research interests include analyzing the governance mechanisms, economic policy prescriptions, and socio-economic impacts of resource extraction in Latin America and beyond. Before this position, Vladimir held senior roles in Australia with the Foundation for Development Cooperation, the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and consulting firm WorleyParsons. Vladimir is also the Program Coordinator of Project Empire, a long-term partnership between Agile Management Office and Aarhus University bringing the academic and the corporate world together for an enriching and inspiring educational experience. In this episode, Vladimir and I explore:His current research into resource-dependent countries and economic diversification He shares his journey of living with COVID0-19 after his diagnosis earlier this year on his return from EuropeUnderstanding and learn more about international governance Our partnership and the outcomes of the recent academic/corporate program and;Why he tried to ride his bicycle from Queensland, Australia to India amongst earlier childhood lessons from escaping the civil war and learning to speak English in America. You can read some of Vladimir's interests here:https://www.gapminder.org/https://resourcegovernance.org/analysis-tools/publications/diversification-resource-dependent-countrieshttps://www.business-humanrights.org/en/from-us/briefings/towards-responsible-renewable-energy/You can contact Vladimir here: https://pure.au.dk/portal/da/persons/vladimir-douglas-pacheco-cueva%28e00b04a0-3c19-4e44-a23d-6218efc2eabb%29.htmlOr check out his LinkedIn profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladimir-pacheco-68724544 This podcast is sponsored by Agile Management Office (www.agilemanagementoffice.com) providing high impact delivery execution in an agile era for scaling businesses and educating through our Agile Ideas series www.agilemanagementoffice.com/resources  Thank you for listening to this podcast. We welcome any feedback. Iwww.agilemanagementoffice.com/contact Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter to receive access to special events, checklists, and blogs that are not available everywhere. www.agilemanagementoffice.com/subscribe  You can also find us on most social media channels by searching 'Agile Ideas'.Follow me on LinkedIn - go to Fatimah Abbouchi - www.linkedin.com/in/fatimahabbouchi/ Thank you for listening, PLEASE share or rate this if you enjoyed it. #AgileIdeas

For decades, the mantra of globalization supported increased foreign aid to, and trade with, low-income countries. The proclaimed goal was to reduce poverty and promote economic growth and development. But aid policies have increasingly become both complex and fragmented. Some argue that there is an unprecedented international policy overload when it comes to aid and development. Indeed, some even claim that we are witnessing aid fatigue. Many traditional donors are also revisiting the role and impact of aid. In a world which was already struggling to cope with numerous crises even before the Covid pandemic struck – inadequate finance, food insecurity, climate change – the pattern and flow of aid to low-income countries in the near future is potentially going to change in fundamental ways. Bård Vegar Solhjell is Director General of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). He has substantial political experience having served as a member of Parliament and Party Secretary for the Socialist left Party in Norway and subsequently also as Norway’s Minister of Education and Minister of Environment. He was also CEO of WWF Norway.ResourcesThis is how Norwegian development aid funds were spent in 2019 (Norad)Norwegian Aid Statistics (Norad)From Knowledge to Implementation, Norad's Evaluation Department, Annual Report 2019/2020Follow Bård Vegar Solhjell on TwitterFollow Dan Banik on TwitterFollow In Pursuit of Development on Twitter

Magnus Saemundsson is currently the Senior Education Specialist at SIDA, the Swedish governmental agency for development cooperation, based in Cambodia. He initially worked as a secondary school teacher and lecturer in Sweden before transitioning to the Swedish Ministry of Education. He joined SIDA in 2003 and over the years has been serving as a Senior Education Expert in the Nordic region, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia and other countries. His work with SIDA Cambodia has focused on supporting the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport in improving quality assurance systems in learning and teaching, creating the first multi-donor trust fund to support capacity development at all levels of the education sector, supporting skills training programmes, through private-public partnerships and much more. He speaks to us about the historical and problematic ideas around development work, the Swedish approach to development cooperation, systematic and behaviour change, long term donor investment, the challenge of corruption, building trust, institutional memory residing with local staff and partners, the importance of communication in leadership, the power of knowledge, the role of art and culture, rethinking development support in the context of the pandemic and much more. He joins us from Phnom Phen, Cambodia.

Due to South Africa’s nationwide lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, this week we will be running a re-broadcast of our previous show with the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation - Ulla Tørnæs. We discuss some of the factors that motivated her career in politics and some memorable milestones. Minister Tørnæs notes that a key priority for her ministry is to express the voice of the millions of women and girls around the world who are either not able to express their voice, or enjoy equal rights and opportunities for equitable economic participation. We highlight aspects of the World Bank’s We-Fi initiative to facilitate access to capital for female entrepreneurs. We also discuss the SheDecides movement, which aims to mobilise a strong political voice for women to have access to family planning and contraception facilities, and have the ability to make their own decisions about their reproductive rights. Tune in for more…

Our economies and companies are addicted to exponential growth. But is this good for our planet and our society? In recent years social entrepreneurship claims to offer an alternative - but something still doesn't feel right. As the founder of the world's first Post-Growth company Melanie Rieback's talk will combine her practical experience building "nonprofit businesses" with the macroeconomic theory of "post-growth" economists like Tim Jackson  and Kate Raworth. This talk will question everything that you know about entrepreneurship, business models and sustainability within Development Cooperation. Can you go back to "business as usual" again?Dr. Melanie Rieback is the CEO/Co-founder of Radically Open Security, the world's first post-growth business and Non Profit Ventures, the world's first incubator for not-for-profit startups. She is a former Assistant Professor of Computer Scienceceat the Free University of Amsterdam (VU) and was named one of the 400 most successful women in the Netherlands by Viva Magazine (Viva400) in 2010 and 2017, one of the fifty most  inspiring women in tech (Inspiring Fifty Netherlands) in 2016, 2017, and  2019.  She was  also called the Most Innovative IT Leader by CIO Magazine NL (TIM  Award) in 2017, and one of the 9 Most Innovative Women in the European  Union (EU Women Innovators Prize) in 2019. 

Due to South Africa’s nationwide lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, this week we will be running a re-broadcast of our previous show with Ms Lilianne Ploumen, a Dutch politician with the Labour Party, currently serving as a member of parliament in the Netherlands, she was the former Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of Netherlands and is the founder of SheDecides. We discuss the role of education (formal and informal) and an appetite for continued learning as a ticket for a better future. We unpack the purpose and milestones of the SheDecides movement which in less than year has garnered support from more than 60 countries across the globe to amplify women’s voices. We also talk about the steps of putting in motion a bill to close the gender pay gap in the Netherlands, which makes employers responsible for paying equal salaries their employees for work of equal value, irrespective of gender.  Tune in for more…

This brief firelighter conversation was taped live on-stage at SPARK’s 7th Annual IGNITE Conference in Amsterdam. It was a discussion provocatively themed “Shift The Power” – for which Andile Masuku (moderator) was joined by the Dutch Ambassador for Youth, Education and Work in the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tijmen Rooseboom, Evelijne Bruning, who is the Netherlands Country Director of The Hunger Project and the Executive Director of INJAZ Lebanon, Samar Dani.Tijmen is a recently-appointed Dutch policymaker whose mandate is to ensure that The Netherlands is optimising the use of public funds earmarked for advancing youth education and employment. Evelijne Bruning is a self-proclaimed “dragon and driver of change” whose high-profile #ShiftThePower activism efforts within Dutch NGO circles often puts her at odds with policymakers and even fellow practitioners in the space. And prior to inhabiting a senior role at one of Lebanon's most well-respected youth-focused NGO’s, Samar Dani led a storied career in her country’s consumer and retail industry.Listen in as the panel addresses growing calls to change power dynamics within development cooperation between the Global North and the Global South – this, in order to deliver on effective, market-relevant educational and entrepreneurship interventions.Editorial Disclaimer: While SPARK is the presenting sponsor of this series, African Tech Roundup maintains complete editorial oversight. Opinions expressed by the host, Andile Masuku, and his guests, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the presenting sponsor, SPARK.Image credit: SPARK

MultimediaLIVE — This brief firelighter conversation was taped live on-stage at SPARK’s 7th Annual IGNITE Conference in Amsterdam. It was a discussion provocatively themed “Shift The Power” – for which Andile Masuku (moderator) was joined by the Dutch Ambassador for Youth, Education and Work in the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tijmen Rooseboom, Evelijne Bruning, who is the Netherlands Country Director of The Hunger Project and the Executive Director of INJAZ Lebanon, Samar Dani.Tijmen is a recently-appointed Dutch policymaker whose mandate is to ensure that The Netherlands is optimising the use of public funds earmarked for advancing youth education and employment. Evelijne Bruning is a self-proclaimed “dragon and driver of change” whose high-profile #ShiftThePower activism efforts within Dutch NGO circles often puts her at odds with policymakers and even fellow practitioners in the space. And prior to inhabiting a senior role at one of Lebanon's most well-respected youth-focused NGO’s, Samar Dani led a storied career in her country’s consumer and retail industry.Listen in as the panel addresses growing calls to change power dynamics within development cooperation between the Global North and the Global South – this, in order to deliver on effective, market-relevant educational and entrepreneurship interventions.Editorial Disclaimer: While SPARK is the presenting sponsor of this series, African Tech Roundup maintains complete editorial oversight. Opinions expressed by the host, Andile Masuku, and his guests, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the presenting sponsor, SPARK.Image credit: SPARK

This brief firelighter conversation was taped live on-stage at SPARK’s 7th Annual IGNITE Conference in Amsterdam (https://spark.ngo/ignite-conference-2019/). It was a discussion provocatively themed “Shift The Power” – for which Andile Masuku (moderator) was joined by the Dutch Ambassador for Youth, Education and Work in the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tijmen Rooseboom, Evelijne Bruning, who is the Netherlands Country Director of The Hunger Project and the Executive Director of INJAZ Lebanon, Samar Dani. Tijmen is a recently-appointed Dutch policymaker whose mandate is to ensure that The Netherlands is optimising the use of public funds earmarked for advancing youth education and employment. Evelijne Bruning is a self-proclaimed “dragon and driver of change” whose high-profile #ShiftThePower activism efforts within Dutch NGO circles often puts her at odds with policymakers and even fellow practitioners in the space. And prior to inhabiting a senior role at one of Lebanon's most well-respected youth-focused NGO’s, Samar Dani led a storied career in her country’s consumer and retail industry. Listen in as the panel addresses growing calls to change power dynamics within development cooperation between the Global North and the Global South – this, in order to deliver on effective, market-relevant educational and entrepreneurship interventions. Editorial Disclaimer: While SPARK (https://spark.ngo) is the presenting sponsor of this series, African Tech Roundup maintains complete editorial oversight. Opinions expressed by the host, Andile Masuku, and his guests, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the presenting sponsor, SPARK. Image credit: SPARK

One year after the Global Compact on Refugees was affirmed by the UN General Assembly, the first Global Refugee Forum in December will be a critical opportunity to strengthen our collective response to refugee crises around the world. Welcome to an evening conversation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Filippo Grandi and Swedish Secretary of State for International Development Cooperation, Mr Per Olsson Fridh. More than 80% of the world's refugees are hosted by developing countries, many of which have been supporting refugees for many years despite scarce resources and limited capacity. How do we provide more robust support to the countries and communities which are welcoming refugees? How can we practically invest in bold, new and sustainable solutions that will support host countries and boost refugee self-reliance? How do we ensure that education and labour market inclusion for refugees become integral parts of the humanitarian response? And what role can Sweden play? Speaker As United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi heads the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) leading the international response to refugee crises around the world, working with governments to ensure that refugees have access to protection and support, and helping find solutions to displacement and statelessness. He has more than 30 years of experience from UN missions in complex situations. Commentator Per Olsson Fridh is the Secretary of State to the Minister for Development Cooperation. Previously, he was the Secretary of State to the Minister for Culture and Democracy, Member of Parliament and councillor in the Stockholm City Council for the Green Party. Sweden is currently the third biggest bilateral donor to UNHCR and has contributed with 957 MSEK in core support during 2019, in addition to 236 MSEK to specific crises around the world. Moderator Christer Ahlström, Director, the Swedish Institute of International Affairs Photo: UNHCR/Caroline Bach

Alexander De Croo, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, in charge of the Fight against Tax Fraud, and Minister of Development Cooperation, Belgium Alexander De Croo, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, in charge of the Fight against Tax Fraud, and Minister of Development Cooperation, Belgium Katarína Mathernová, Deputy Director General, European Commission Moderator: Daniel F. Runde, Senior Vice President, CSIS Liz Lloyd, Chief Impact Officer, CDC Group (UK) Chantal Korteweg, Director, Stakeholders, Strategy & Knowledge Management, FMO (Netherlands) Sanjeev Gupta, Executive Director for Financial Services, Africa Finance Corporation Paul Lamontagne, Chief Executive Officer, FinDev Canada  Moderator: Romina Bandura, Senior Fellow, CSIS Bruno Wenn, Chairman, EDFI On October 8, 2019, the Council of the European Union published a report by a High-level Wise Persons Group on the European financial architecture for development. The report made bold suggestions for setting a stronger policy direction for European development finance and called for consolidating responsibilities between the European Commission, European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). It also called for a greater emphasis on Africa and climate change in investments by all of European development finance institutions (DFIs) and aid agencies. These proposals make it worth reviewing DFIs' role in mobilizing private investment is and in job creation. DFIs are instrumental in bridging investment gaps and steering private capital into developing countries. Many groups reference the transformative power and scale of the private sector as the answer for filling global development investment gaps, but questions remain from these private institutions around risk and other issues. Private sector development funding now outpaces official development assistance (ODA), underlining the important role DFIs can play in the global development community. DFIs are essential to catalyzing private investment and building the relationship between private sector industries and public sector institutions. There are many channels, including financing for policy reforms, that enable investment within the private sector and improve infrastructure. This will ultimately create jobs, boost growth, and set an example for other private businesses and investors. Maximizing private investment in target markets, therefore, will expand job impact and contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  CSIS is hosting this event in partnership with EDFI-the Association of European Development Finance Institutions.   

Possible decline of liberal values and blurred landscape of political system, rapid development of technology, consequences of climate change, China as a global player are but a few challenges and questions the millennials have to face. How do they imagine their future and what can actually be done about it in the next 15-20 years time? We'll ask both young idealists and experienced realists. The debate at the Estonian Opinion Festival is supported by European Commission Europe for Citizens programme and is part of the EU Solutions Lab project. Similar debates take also place in Latvia and Lithuania. Moderator: Johannes Tralla (journalist) Participants: Luukas Ilves, expert on technology and cyber issues, former Deputy Director and Senior Fellow at Brussels-based think tank and policy network the Lisbon Council; Klen Jäärats, Director for European Union Affairs at Estonian Government Office; Kristen Aigro from Estonian Roundtable for Development Cooperation and former board member of European Youth Council and Gustaf Göthberg, Member of the Swedish Moderate Party Organiser: Open Estonia Foundation (Avatud Eesti Fond) Discussion took place on 9th of August 2019 in Paide. It was recorded outdoors where blowing wind and rustling rain add a little flavour.

Dr. Jorg Faust of the German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEval) discusses the power of impact evaluation in development cooperation. His discussion took place during IEU's LORTA workshop in Mannheim, Germany on April 15, 2019. Learn More About LORTA DEval Follow us on Twitter! @GCF_Eval

Africa’s future is urban. The continent will become 50 percent urban by 2030 and its urban population will double by 2050, yet policymakers have not revised their programmatic approach. In this recording from their 2019 Global Development Forum session, Judd Devermont (CSIS), Jefferson T. Koijee (Mayor of Monrovia, Liberia), Emilio Ciarlo (Italian Agency for Development Cooperation), Dana Omran (100 Resilient Cities), and Somik Lall (World Bank) share how the continent can configure its urban areas to unlock their potential.

Africa’s future is urban. The continent will become 50 percent urban by 2030 and its urban population will double by 2050, yet policymakers have not revised their programmatic approach. In this recording from their 2019 Global Development Forum session, Judd Devermont (CSIS), Jefferson T. Koijee (Mayor of Monrovia, Liberia), Emilio Ciarlo (Italian Agency for Development Cooperation), Dana Omran (100 Resilient Cities), and Somik Lall (World Bank) share how the continent can configure its urban areas to unlock their potential.

Africa’s future is urban. The continent will become 50 percent urban by 2030 and its urban population will double by 2050, yet policymakers have not revised their programmatic approach. In this recording from their 2019 Global Development Forum session, Judd Devermont (CSIS), Jefferson T. Koijee (Mayor of Monrovia, Liberia), Emilio Ciarlo (Italian Agency for Development Cooperation), Dana Omran (100 Resilient Cities), and Somik Lall (World Bank) share how the continent can configure its urban areas to unlock their potential.

Chinese development cooperation in Asia and the Pacific is growing rapidly. In this keynote panel at the 2019 Australasian Aid Conference, Chinese experts shared their insights on the rationale, aspirations and challenges of Chinese development cooperation, particularly in relation to the Belt and Road Initiative, responsible investment, the new development cooperation agency, and China's engagement in the Pacific. Panellists: Anthea Mulakala, The Asia Foundation (Chair) Hongbo Ji, The Asia Foundation Yujia Shen, Sun Yat-sen University Jinghang Jia, Ministry of Finance, China Xiuli Xu, China Institute for South-South Cooperation in Agriculture The 2019 Australasian Aid Conference was held at Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU, on 19-20 February, and was organised by the Development Policy Centre in partnership with The Asia Foundation.

Recorded at SXSW's official celebration for International Women's Day hosted by the EU and UN Women, Cultural Affairs Officer Christine Vest speaks with Alexander De Croo, Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium and Minister of Finance and Development Cooperation. The two discuss women's economic empowerment, current issues in feminism, and how men can play a key role in achieving gender equality. 

In this podcast, two of our affiliates, Danish Union of Teachers’ International Secretary Tore Asmussen and the Director of the International and Social Justice Programme of the Canadian Teachers' Federation Dan Martin discuss Education International’s development cooperation network, that brought together education unions from around the world. They also share their thoughts on ways to improve this network aiming to strengthen educators’ unions and ensure quality education for all.

Dr. Philipp Busch works for GIZ since October 2014. He obtained a Masters’ degree in Economics and Geography at the University of Mainz, then continued studying to do his second Masters’ degree in Information Systems and Business Administration. In spring 2018 he finished his doctoral thesis about "Gameful Approaches in Development Cooperation", now teaches Gamification and Agile Methods at the University of Mainz. Philipp works at GIZ for the Social Innovation Team in Cairo to improve the situation for youths on the labor market in Egypt. Furthermore, Philipp is head of the GIZ component "Serious Games" to support the peace process in Yemen.

For this week’s episode, we are joined by Olivier Rikken,  Director of blockchain and smart contracts at Axveco– a consultancy firm based out of the Netherlands focusing on sustainable innovation. Olivier last spoke to us in April regarding smart contracts – this episode focuses on the legal aspects of blockchain and smart contracts. Since April last year, Olivier has been involved in a wide range of blockchain related projects which include being part of the ISO World Standards working group on smart contracts. In addition to his role as a start-up coach for blockchain-enabled start-ups within and outside the Netherlands, Olivier is part of the governance group for the Dutch Blockchain Coalition and is a guest lecturer at three universities in the Netherlands.   Blockchain in two minutes According to Olivier, blockchain is a decentralised database – a shared administration system where everyone who wishes to join may do so and participate (reading, writing and validating content.) There is no need for a trusted 3rdparty to monitor the database.   Publication of the “Legal Aspects of Blockchain” Olivier has recently co-authored a book titled ‘Legal Aspects of Blockchain’ – this book was a product of a collaboration between the Dutch government and the UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services.) Olivier was involved in a working group that published a report on the legality of smart contracts in December 2017. This report drew the attention of the UN and Olivier was subsequently approached with a proposition to co-author a book on smart contracts together with experts from institutions such as MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore), MIT amongst others.   A powerful opening “The fourth Industrial Revolution is underway and organizations in the public domain on both national and international front are being confronted with numerous new technologies” – Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Netherlands. Olivier explains that in the past few years, we have witnessed several technological developments that could potentially disrupt industries as we know them today. An industrial revolution is characterized by a change in the way things are organized and work is carried out. For example, decentralisation (through blockchain and DLT) can allow us to design new ecosystems and processes – advances in blockchain combined with developments in big data analytics, artificial intelligence and IoT indicate that we may be on the brink of major changes.   Looking at blockchain from a regulatory angle Olivier believes that prior to forming regulations on a new technology, it is extremely important for law-makers, politicians and lawyers to understand the technology and its implications. Using the example of GDPR and blockchain – he highlights that there is a lot of concern regarding GDPR compliance issues with blockchain. However, as he points out, there isn’t a single version of blockchain (public v/s private, permissioned v/s permission-less etc.) Formulating regulations concerning blockchains is particularly challenging– though regulations tend to be as general as possible – it is extremely important for regulators to address different types of blockchain to promote enterprise adoption and increase confidence. Thus, Olivier feels regulations (today) cannot be general since there are very specific questions that need answering. Olivier raises some questions (that are still being discussed) from a regulatory perspective such as who is accountable for blockchain, how is privacy guaranteed and where/how can traditional jurisdictions apply (if at all)?   How will legal jurisdictions apply? During the discussion, Olivier points out that there is still a lack of consensus regarding which legal jurisdiction applies in cases where transactions take place between parties in different legal jurisdictions. Olivier provides the example of Swarm City,

Digital technology is essential to better financial services for small businesses Better financial services are needed by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), such as secured transaction frameworks, credit information systems, and insolvency regimes. Among the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum economies, MSMEs represent more than 60% of total employment, 40% of gross domestic product, and 15% of total exports, but some 40% of their financial needs go unserved, mainly because they are too small to get banks' attention. Shawn Hunter, David Dole, and Valdimir dela Cruz explain. Read the transcript https://bit.ly/2V1WGGz Read the policy brief https://www.adb.org/publications/financial-inclusion-digital-age About the authors Shawn Hunter is manager of Inclusive Finance at the Foundation for Development Cooperation. Valdimir dela Cruz was an associate at the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) at the time the paper was written. David Dole is senior economist at ADBI. Know more about ADBI's work https://bit.ly/2GJxL7B https://bit.ly/2QH3ACy

In this relaxed three-way conversation, Alexander Betts, Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs and William Golding Senior Fellow in Politics at the University of Oxford's Brasenose College, and Yannick Du Pont, the Co-founder and Director of the Dutch NGO SPARK, join Andile Masuku to discuss the awkward state-of-play within the global foreign aid industry, reference instructive live case studies and attempt to define what “winning” at helping turbulent regions of the world navigate towards sustainable economic growth should look and feel like. Alexander is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader whose research at the University of Oxford centres on refugee assistance, with a focus on East Africa. He has authored ten books and co-authored Refuge: Transforming a Broken Refugee System (Penguin Allen Lane and Oxford University Press, 2017) with Paul Collier— a book named by The Economist as one of the 'Best Books of 2017'. Alexander previously worked for the UNHCR and currently serves as a Councillor on the World Refugee Council while leading the IKEA Foundation-funded Refugee Economies Programme. Yannick has worked in the fields of higher education and economic development in post-conflict countries since 1994. He previously worked for the Netherlands Minister of Development Cooperation, the Dutch PAX, the Evert Vermeer Foundation and the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael. At SPARK, Yannick leads teams which run programmes that promote SME-growth and facilitate youth job creation in 15 fragile states, primarily in North and Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. In addition to his work at SPARK, Yannick also serves on the boards of the Max van der Stoel Foundation and the LittleBitz Foundation, the advisory board of the Center of Theory of Change and the steering board of the Knowledge Platform on Security and Rule of Law. Editorial Disclaimer: SPARK (http://spark-online.org) is the presenting sponsor of this podcast, which is part of an African Tech Roundup miniseries focused on inclusive economic progress being made in vulnerable states. African Tech Roundup retains full editorial control over all published content. Opinions expressed by the host, Andile Masuku, and his guests, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the presenting sponsor, SPARK. This podcast series was taped at the fringes of SPARK’s 6th annual IGNITE Conference (http://bit.ly/IGNITEConference2018) – a premier gathering of refugees, entrepreneurs, educators, private sector actors, government leaders, academics and NGOs. Image credit: Bill Wegener

Timely and accurate credit information is critical to a well-functioning financial industry and essential for any government to maintain financial stability. About a third of credit bureaus consider only negative data and provide an incomplete, and often inaccurate, assessment of a borrower's risks. Governments should collect comprehensive data on each level of business in each sector. Data should also be made available to registries and bureaus to improve their abilities in providing public services, creating policy, and conducting statistical analysis, but individuals should be allowed to protect data from others. These comprehensive data, paired with those from other sources, can present an accurate and complete description of an individual so financial services can be better tailored to suit individual needs. Read the transcript https://bit.ly/2RIjhW5 Read the policy brief https://www.adb.org/publications/financial-inclusion-digital-age About the authors Shawn Hunter is manager of inclusive finance at the Foundation for Development Cooperation. David Dole is senior capacity building and training economist at the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI). Valdimir dela Cruz was an associate at ADBI at the time this policy brief was written. Know more about ADBI's work https://bit.ly/2QnNCcj https://bit.ly/2SRd6A8

Asia and the Pacific need to ensure not only that more people have access to financial products and services but also that the poor can wield them to build wealth. While the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC broadly recognizes that financial inclusion is key to fighting poverty and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, more needs to be done to improve financial inclusion. Read the transcript https://bit.ly/2Oj0rHR About the speakers Loi M. Bakani is governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea. Nobuhide Hayashi is Mizuho Bank chair and a member of Japan's APEC Business Advisory Council. Michelle Curry is CEO of the Foundation for Development Cooperation, Australia. Know more about ADBI's work https://bit.ly/2OTRrIM https://bit.ly/2E8lfgt

The direction of our show is a little different than usual because today we're going to explore how to organize and carry out a Hackathon. You'll get first-hand information on how can Gamification help to solve real-world-problems. About our Guest: Dr. Philipp Busch obtained a Masters' degree in Economics and Geography at the University of Mainz, then continued studying to do his second Masters' degree in Information Systems and Business Administration. In spring 2018 he finished his doctoral thesis about "Gameful Approaches in Development Cooperation", now teaches Gamification and Agile Methods at the University of Mainz. Philipp works at GIZ for the Social Innovation Team in Cairo to improve the situation for youths on the labour market in Egypt. Furthermore, Philipp is head of the GIZ component "Serious Games" to support the peace process in Yemen. Connect with Philipp via email: philipp.busch@giz.de or at www.giz.de About your Host: A gamification speaker and designer, Monica Cornetti is rated as a #1 Gamification Guru in the world by UK-based Leaderboarded. She is the Founder and CEO of Sententia Gamification, the Founder and Gamemaster of GamiCon, hosts the Gamification Talk Radio program, and is author of the book Totally Awesome Training Activity Guide: Put Gamification to Work for You. Monica's niche is gamification strategy design that can be used within the framework of employee engagement, corporate talent development, HR, and adult education. Connect with Monica on www.GamiCon.us or www.SententiaGamification.com and on Twitter @monicacornetti

The direction of our show is a little different than usual because today we're going to explore how to organize and carry out a Hackathon. You'll get first-hand information on how can Gamification help to solve real-world-problems. About our Guest: Dr. Philipp Busch obtained a Masters' degree in Economics and Geography at the University of Mainz, then continued studying to do his second Masters' degree in Information Systems and Business Administration. In spring 2018 he finished his doctoral thesis about "Gameful Approaches in Development Cooperation", now teaches Gamification and Agile Methods at the University of Mainz. Philipp works at GIZ for the Social Innovation Team in Cairo to improve the situation for youths on the labour market in Egypt. Furthermore, Philipp is head of the GIZ component "Serious Games" to support the peace process in Yemen.   Connect with Philipp via email: philipp.busch@giz.de or at www.giz.de  About your Host:  A gamification speaker and designer, Monica Cornetti is rated as a #1 Gamification Guru in the world by UK-based Leaderboarded. She is the Founder and CEO of Sententia Gamification, the Founder and Gamemaster of GamiCon, hosts the Gamification Talk Radio program, and is author of the book Totally Awesome Training Activity Guide: Put Gamification to Work for You. Monica's niche is gamification strategy design that can be used within the framework of employee engagement, corporate talent development, HR, and adult education. Connect with Monica on www.GamiCon.us or www.SententiaGamification.com and on Twitter @monicacornetti  

During the celebration of democracy on the island of Gotland, Sweden this week, we’ve been interviewing different people involved in some way or another in human rights or international humanitarian law. In this episode of “On Human Rights,” our team leader for Inclusive Societies Gabriella Fredriksson interviews Georg Andrén. He is the General Secretary of the NGO Diakonia in Sweden and Concord, a network of different civil society actors in Sweden. He talks about the problems with decreasing rule of law, shrinking space, and the rise of populism. “We’re not just seeing this in the far-right, it’s starting to move into the mainstream political parties,” he says. “We’re only two months away from an election in Sweden, and I’m worried.” Speaking about civil society in countries around the world, he says, “We haven’t done enough to ensure that these systems work enough for the rights holders. I saw it very close in Honduras and Guatemala. We need to talk to our partners and together talk to them about how to target rule of law as a key for us,” he says.

This week we talk to the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation - Ulla Tørnæs. We discuss some of the factors that motivated her career in politics and some memorable milestones. Minister Tørnæs notes that a key priority for her ministry is to express the voice of the millions of women and girls around the world who are either not able to express their voice, or enjoy equal rights and opportunities for equitable economic participation. We highlight aspects of the World Bank’s We-Fi initiative to facilitate access to capital for female entrepreneurs. We also discuss the SheDecides movement, which aims to mobilise a strong political voice for women to have access to family planning and contraception facilities, and have the ability to make their own decisions about their reproductive rights. Tune in for more…

This week we talk to Ms Lilianne Ploumen, a Dutch politician with the Labour Party, currently serving as a member of parliament in the Netherlands, she was the former Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of Netherlands and is the founder of SheDecides. We discuss the role of education (formal and informal) and an appetite for continued learning as a ticket for a better future. We unpack the purpose and milestones of the SheDecides movement which in less than year has garnered support from more than 60 countries across the globe to amplify women’s voices. We also talk about the steps of putting in motion a bill to close the gender pay gap in the Netherlands, which makes employers responsible for paying equal salaries their employees for work of equal value, irrespective of gender. Tune in for more…

This week in recognition of International Women’s Day, today, 8th March 2018, celebrated under the theme, “Press of Progress”, we reflect on some of the catalysts that have driven, and are driving women’s rights. In today’s panel we are joined by to Ms Lilianne Ploumen, a Dutch politician with the Labour Party, currently serving as a member of parliament in the Netherlands, she was the former Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of Netherlands and is the founder of SheDecides; and Ms Marisa Gerards who is the Ambassador of the Netherlands to South Africa. We discuss some of the recent movements like SheDecides, HeforShe, MeToo, Not in my name, that focus on issues of inequality, power differentials, unequal pay, sexual harassment, gender based violence and improving solidarity amongst all to advance equality. Men and women live on the planet together, they should run it together. Tune in for more…

The role of non-state actors in Asian-led development cooperation has been little discussed. Many assume South-South cooperation is government-to-government and focused on infrastructure. However, Asian providers have vibrant civil societies that are expanding their sphere of influence and practice into development cooperation. This session at the 2018 Australasian Aid Conference discussed the role Asian NGOs have played in lobbying and influencing government policy in Asia on South-South and development cooperation, their activities, and impacts in partner countries. It also examined how Asian civil society is contributing to the governance and accountability of development cooperation nationally and internationally. The panel featured civil society representatives from Japan, Korea, China and India. Panellists: Anthea Mulakala, The Asia Foundation (Chair) Jin-kyung Kim, Korean International Cooperation Agency Supriya Roychoudhury, Independent Analyst: Indian development cooperation Takeshi Komino, Church World Service Japan Haoming Huang, China Association for Non-Profit Organisations The 2018 Australasian Aid Conference was held at Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU, on 13-14 February, and was organised by the Development Policy Centre in partnership with The Asia Foundation.

This podcast features an interview with the Deputy Director of the International Affairs Department of the Japan Teachers’ Union, Mrs. Fumiyo Fukuzawa, who talks about her union’s engagement in development cooperation work.

Plenary session, 2017 Australasian Aid Conference Speakers: Guo Peiyuan, General Manager, SynTao; Jeon Hyunjin, Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility Team, LG Electronics HQ; Simon Cramp, Director of Private Sector Development, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Prabodh Saxena, Principal Secretary, Government of Himachal Pradesh. Chaired by Anthea Mulakala of The Asia Foundation. Involving the private sector in development cooperation is a priority today not only for many Western countries, but also for many Asian ones. Several Asian providers of development cooperation have vibrant private sectors who are expanding their sphere of influence and practice into development cooperation. Asian companies are often the implementers of infrastructure projects, whether through lines of credit or tied aid. At the other end of the spectrum many Asian multinationals are involved in corporate social responsibility and shared value initiatives in the region. This panel will explore how collaborative approaches with private sector in development are evolving in the Asian context and where further opportunities exist.

Guest: Fraser Reilly-King, Senior Policy Analyst at the Canadian Council for International Cooperation

Guest: Fraser Reilly-King, Senior Policy Analyst at the Canadian Council for International Cooperation

Development has its place in dealing with the roots of displacement but it is not an alternative to important measures.

With special guest Philipp Busch. I met Philipp at the Gamification World Congress in Barcelona recently and saw his presentation on the topic. In today's episode we'll be discussing: The Hackathon "Gamification for Social Good" in Ethiopia - Building a gamified App in 4 days The direction of our show is a little different than usual because today we're going to explore and hear first-hand how to organize and carry out a Hackathon. What is a Hackathon? An overview about how to manage the process - how was it structured? How do you choose the right participants? How do you keep the participants motivated? Did you use Gamification in the Hackathon? How can you manage to push some results in just 4 days? What is the task of the Teamkeeper or Facilitator? What are the benefits for the participants? How can Gamification help to solve real-world-problems? About Philipp Busch:  Philipp Busch works for GIZ since October 2014 and is part of the team Digital Learning and Virtual Collaboration. He is responsible for Gamification and Digital Motivation. He obtained a Masters' degree in Economics and Geography at the University of Mainz, then continued studying to do his second Masters' degree in Information Systems and Business Administration. At the moment, he is working on his doctoral thesis about Gamification in Development Cooperation. Connect with Philipp: @philipp_busch (Twitter); www.giz.de   About Your Host:  A gamification speaker and designer, Monica Cornetti is rated as the #1 Gamification Guru in the World by UK-Based Leaderboarded. She is the Founder and CEO of the Sententia Gamification Consortium and the author of the book Totally Awesome Training Activity Guide: Put Gamification to Work for You. Monica's niche is gamification used in the corporate environment. Connect with Monica (@monicacornetti) www.monicacornetti.com  

This full day forum examined recent experience and explore the potential for further aid investment in partnership with business in four areas: inclusive business ventures, service delivery, pro-poor supply chains for internationally-traded products, and product development partnerships in health and agriculture. Session 1 (Keynote address and inclusive business) speakers: - Dr Jane Thomason, Chairperson, JTA International (keynote). - Sean Rooney, Principal Consultant, The Foundation for Development Cooperation. - Anthony Perkins, Chief Operating Officer, WING, Cambodia. - Thiev Viseth, Merchant Sales Manager, WING, Cambodia. - Paul Voutier, Commercial Manager, B4MD. - Peter Leahy, International Programs, CARE Australia. Presentation slides are available from the Devpolicy events page: https://devpolicy.crawford.anu.edu.au/event-extra/past

Florian Krätke from ECDPM speaks to Humza Yousaf, MSP, Scottish Government Minister for External Affairs and International Development. - Scotland's role in the post-2015 development discussion - To what extent can the post-2015 debate inform discussion of universal development and support policies internally? - How can Scotland's institutions learn and change where others have failed to do so? - Private sector for sustainable development outcomes - what is Scotland's conversation on this? - Should Scotland gain independence, what can Scottish aid and assistance do differently or make its mark on global development cooperation? See more at: http://www.ecdpm.org/scotland www.ecdpm.org/subscribe Flag photo by zheem Music by Podington Bear

The European Union’s Agenda for Change is a case of evolution over revolution. The EU’s new development policy sketches an aid-centric reform strategy that introduces significant changes for the European aid and development cooperation landscape in 2014-2020. With Europe in crisis and aid under pressure, the EU wants to increase the effectiveness of its development assistance. What are the biggest implementation challenges, and how fit is the EU to do so? Florian Krätke explains. http://www.ecdpm-talkingpoints.org/challenges-in-2014-EU-modernisation Intro music: Music: Radiohem by Podington Bear