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A whole host of Treasury buffs have sent in their questions this week in wake of the Spring Statement, for Ed Balls and George Osborne to answer. Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt asks whether in the light of Labour's announcing civil service reductions and welfare reform, the government is “stealing our clothes”? Lord Macpherson, Permanent Secretary to no less than three Chancellors, praises Rachel Reeves' “courageous” claim of non-negotiability on her fiscal rules (which George translates as a euphemism for ‘bonkers').Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride is predictably critical of the Chancellor's choices, but how much is Rachel Reeves to blame for the situation she finds herself in? And Ruth Curtice, Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation and another former Treasury civil servant, sparks a conversation about how living standards will ultimately dictate Labour's electoral chances. Plus, Ed and George also clash over Keir Starmer's use of “coalition of the willing” - is this a conscious attempt to provoke American sentiment, or simply a widely used buzzphrase? You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free with a Political Currency Gold subscription! And even better, you can now get even more perks by becoming a member of our KITCHEN CABINET to get access to live tickets, merch and more! Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency. Please note Kitchen Cabinet subscriptions are only available through Patreon.Technical Producer: Danny Pape Producers: Miriam Hall and Jarek ŻabaExecutive Producer: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Kishore Mahbubani is widely regarded as one of Asia's most well-known diplomats, commentators, and strategic analysts. Having grown up in poverty in Singapore in the 1950s, however, there was nothing preordained about Mahbubani's success.But over the course of the second half of the twentieth century, he would go on to become one of the most recognizable and revered diplomats of his generation.Mahbubani served in Cambodia, Malaysia, and the United States. He was Permanent Secretary at the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs and twice served as the country's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. He later served as founding dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.Mahbubani chronicles his life journey in a new memoir titled, Living the Asian Century: An Undiplomatic Memoir.Mahbubani's journey mirrors Singapore's own metamorphosis and the book sheds equal light on Mahbubani's life as it does the Asian country's own improbable evolution.To talk more about the book, Kishore Mahbubani joins Milan on the podcast this week. They discuss Kishore's childhood poverty, his “Indian soul,” and his lifelong interactions with former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Plus, Milan and Kishore discuss the explosion of cultural self-confidence in Asia and what this means for the emerging world order.Episode notes:1. [open access] Kishore Mahbubani, The Asian 21st Century (Springer, 2022).2. Kishore Mahbubani, “It's Time for Europe to Do the Unthinkable,” Foreign Policy, February 18, 2025.3. Tony Chan et al., “America Can't Stop China's Rise,” Foreign Policy, September 19, 2023.4. Kishore Mahbubani and Lawrence H. Summers, “The Fusion of Civilizations: The Case for Global Optimism,” Foreign Affairs (May/June 2016).
Better healthcare and schools. More jobs. A growing economy. Improved infrastructure. Planet-saving solutions and disruptive technology. Anything else? As the list for what would improve our lives gets longer, our demand on governments around the world gets greater. In fact, research shows our expectations are at an all-time high. But can all the things that the world needs really be delivered by new policies, new budgets and new leaders alone? Or is it our expectations that need to change? The world has changed, but the ways in which the state tries to change the world have largely stayed the same. A combination of taxation, spend and policy are traditionally used to improve things, but is it time to try something new? And if demand continues to increase and challenges continue to grow, then what will future governments look like? In this episode of The Green Room we talk to Sir John Manzoni, former Permanent Secretary for the Cabinet Office and Chief Executive of the UK Civil Service and Deloitte partner Libby Mason, as we ask; Can governments do everything? Tune in to find out: Why our expectations of the state have changed The opportunities for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors How traditional systems can be adapted to meet new expectations The role technology can play in helping governments deliver improved service Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes on Youtube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK Cook For Good here: cookforgood.uk Guests: Sir John Manzoni, former Permanent Secretary for the Cabinet Office and Chief Executive of the UK Civil Service, and Libby Mason, partner at Deloitte Hosts: Stephanie Dobbs and Oli Carpenter Original music: Ali Barrett
In this episode, Herálvur Joensen, Permanent Secretary of the Faroese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Industry, introduces the Faroe Islands' New Arctic Policy. He outlines the nation's vision as an active partner in the Arctic and emphasizes its commitment to international cooperation and engagement in key forums, including the Arctic Council.This speech was originally delivered at the 2024 Arctic Circle Assembly. Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others interested in the development of the Arctic and its consequences for the future of the globe. It is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. Learn more about Arctic Circle at www.ArcticCircle.org or contact us at secretariat@arcticcircle.orgTWITTER:@_Arctic_CircleFACEBOOK:The Arctic CircleINSTAGRAM:arctic_circle_org
As part of the government's commitment to delivering accessible, high-quality medical services, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, Jenny Daniel, recently conducted an official visit to evaluate the progress of the ongoing enhancements and rehabilitative works at the Gros-Islet Polyclinic. The comprehensive upgrade project is designed to expand the clinic's service capabilities, improve patient care, and create a more efficient and comfortable environment for both staff and the public. One of the key enhancements includes the extension of operational hours to provide round-the-clock medical services.
Tamara Finkelstein, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Head of the UK Civil Service Policy Profession, is clear that generalist skills are essential but questions whether it is time to move away from generalists as roles sitting outside of professions. Tamara set out current plans for the Policy Profession, which provides a professional home and career anchor for former generalists, and how it is providing a framework for building and improving skills. This was followed by a discussion about how to build the skills they need and how to embed professional expertise in the policy-making process. For this discussion we were delighted to be joined by: Tamara Finkelstein, Permanent Secretary at Defra and Head of the Civil Service Policy Profession Aaron Maniam, Fellow of Practice and Director, Digital Transformation Education at the Blavatnik School of Government Lord Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation The panel was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.
Tamara Finkelstein, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Head of the UK Civil Service Policy Profession, is clear that generalist skills are essential but questions whether it is time to move away from generalists as roles sitting outside of professions. Tamara set out current plans for the Policy Profession, which provides a professional home and career anchor for former generalists, and how it is providing a framework for building and improving skills. This was followed by a discussion about how to build the skills they need and how to embed professional expertise in the policy-making process. For this discussion we were delighted to be joined by: Tamara Finkelstein, Permanent Secretary at Defra and Head of the Civil Service Policy Profession Aaron Maniam, Fellow of Practice and Director, Digital Transformation Education at the Blavatnik School of Government Lord Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation The panel was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
L'Assemblée Générale Annuelle (AGM) d'Air Mauritius s'est tenue ce jeudi après-midi au Paille-en-Queue Building, marquant un tournant pour la compagnie aérienne nationale. À la surprise générale, Charles Cartier, actuel CEO de la compagnie, n'a pas été élu comme membre du conseil d'administration lors des élections. Cette décision soulève une problématique majeure : selon les règlements en vigueur, le poste de CEO ne peut être occupé que par un membre du board. L'avenir de Charles Cartier à la tête d'Air Mauritius semble donc incertain. Par ailleurs, un autre changement notable a été enregistré. Jean Daniel Phillippe Labonne a été remplacé au sein du board par Indira Rugjee, qui occupe actuellement le poste de Permanent Secretary au ministère du Tourisme.
As Sir Chris Wormald starts his new job as cabinet secretary, two panels – one from Singapore – brought together civil service leaders from other countries to explore how they approached the job and what the UK could learn from their experiences. Speaking at the IfG: Pamela Dow, Chief Operating Officer at Civic Future and a former UK civil servant Leslie Evans, Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government 2015-2021 Martin Fraser, Ambassador of Ireland to the UK, Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach 2011–22 Chaired by Alex Thomas, IfG programme director And with an expert panel at the Global Government Summit in Singapore: Heather Baggott, Deputy Public Service Commissioner, Public Service Commission, New Zealand Siobhan Benita, Global Government Forum Chair Lord Gus O'Donnell, UK Cabinet Secretary 2005-2011 Taimar Peterkop, Secretary of State, Government Office, Estonia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Following months of extensive refurbishment, the Vieux Fort Wellness Centre has reopened, offering residents of Vieux Fort and surrounding communities access to upgraded healthcare services in a safer and improved facility. The Centre resumed operations on January 20, 2025, after its closure in October 2024 due to air quality concerns caused by mold infestation and underlying maintenance issues. Jenny Daniel, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs, highlighted the necessity of these interventions. The Men's Health Clinic focuses on preventive care and chronic disease management, particularly prostate health and overall wellness. Meanwhile, the Colposcopy Clinic provides specialized evaluation and management of cervical health concerns for women. Residents are encouraged to utilize the expanded services available at the Vieux Fort Wellness Centre. Operating hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and Saturdays, 8:00 AM to 12:30PM.
A bonus episode from the Sportsworld podcast. Julien Alfred made history in 2024 when she won the women's 100 metres gold medal in Paris becoming Saint Lucia's first ever Olympic medallist. The sprinter sits down with Sportsworld's Lee James to look back on her historic year, as we find out what it took to become an Olympic champion and the strategy she used to win the race. We also discover the impact of her victory on the Caribbean island and the hero's welcome she received when she returned home with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports in Saint Lucia, Dr. Uralise Delaire and find out how Alfred's athletics career started with her first coach Cuthbert Modeste.Sportsworld brings you the latest live action and big name interviews from the world of sport every Saturday and Sunday and for more go to bbcworldservice.com/sportsworld or just search sportsworld wherever you got this podcast.
As Sir Chris Wormald starts his new job as cabinet secretary, two panels – one livestreamed from Singapore – brought together civil service leaders from other countries to explore how they approached the job and what the UK could learn from their experiences. With: Pamela Dow, Chief Operating Officer at Civic Future and a former UK civil servant Leslie Evans, Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government 2015-2021 Martin Fraser, Ambassador of Ireland to the UK, Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach 2011–22 This panel was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.
Welcome to this special edition of the Arctic Circle Podcast! In this episode, we revisit one of our most impactful and thought-provoking discussions from past Assemblies and Forums. Enjoy this insightful throwback as we continue to explore the critical issues shaping the future of the Arctic and our planet. Let's open the archive!Today, we listen to Indigenous leaders discuss the mandate of Inuit Circumpolar Council until 2026, and the importance of Indigenous participation in Arctic Governance. Our panelists include: Sara Olsvig: International Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar CouncilLisa Koperqualuk: President of ICC CanadaKuupik V. Kleist: former President of ICC GreenlandDalee Sambo Dorough: former International Chair of ICCDoreen Fogg-Leavitt: Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope, ICC Alaska Alternate Board MemberThe dialogue and following Q&A with the audience are moderated by Mininnguaq Kleist, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Statehood and Foreign Affairs, Greenland. This panel originally took place at the 2022 Arctic Circle Assembly.Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others interested in the development of the Arctic and its consequences for the future of the globe. It is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. Learn more about Arctic Circle at www.ArcticCircle.org or contact us at secretariat@arcticcircle.orgTWITTER:@_Arctic_CircleFACEBOOK:The Arctic CircleINSTAGRAM:arctic_circle_org
Julien Alfred made history in 2024 when she won the women's 100m gold in Paris becoming St. Lucia's first ever Olympic medallist.In a special Sportsworld podcast, the sprinter sits down with Sportsworld's Lee James to look back on her historic year, what it took to become Olympic champion and what it was like receiving a hero's welcome back home.Also hear how Alfred's athletics career started with her first coach Cuthbert Modeste and the impact it's had on St. Lucia with Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports in Saint Lucia, Dr. Uralise Delaire.Image: Julien Alfred of Team Saint Lucia celebrates winning the gold medal during the Women's 100m Final on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Pippa Crerar, political editor of The Guardian, assesses the latest developments at Westminster.To discuss the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Pippa is joined by Sir Simon Fraser who was Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Office during the Arab Spring and now chairs the foreign affairs think tank Chatham House, and Sarah Champion, Labour MP and chair of Parliament's International Development Select Committee.Labour MP Dan Tomlinson and Conservative MP Greg Smith debate the government's reforms to the planning system which it hopes will help deliver 1.5 million more homes over the course of this Parliament.As the House of Lords debates the government's Hereditary Peers Bill for the first time, Pippa speaks to Charles Hay, Earl of Kinnoull, convener of the independent crossbenchers and a hereditary peer himself, about his ideas for reforming the upper chamber.And, to discuss the 5 year anniversary of the 2019 election, Pippa brings together former Conservative MP, Dehenna Davison, who won the seat of Bishop Auckland in that election, and Jane Green, professor of politics at Oxford University and co-director of the British Election Study.
China has granted zero tariffs to Least Developed Countries with established diplomatic relations, including 33 African countries, effective from December 1, 2024. This move significantly lowers costs for African exports, boosts competitiveness, and strengthens economic ties between Africa and its largest trading partner, China. With nations like The Gambia benefiting, this policy opens new doors for trade and investment while promoting shared development. Find out more about how this game-changing policy impacts African economies with Lamin Dampha, the Permanent Secretary at The Gambia's Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment and Chen Huiyi, Research and Coordination Analyst with Development Reimagined.
If the 20th century was the American Century then, for Kishore Mahbubani, the controversial Singaporean writer and diplomat, the 21st century is the Asian Century. In his new memoir, Living the Asian Century, Mahbubani - Singapore's longtime permanent representative at the United Nations - offers what he calls an “undiplomatic memoir” of Singapore's rise from an impoverished outlay of the British empire into the world's wealthiest country. It's quite a story and Mahbubani tells it in his own bluntly undiplomatic way. Kishore Mahbubani is a Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute (ARI), National University of Singapore (NUS). Mr Mahbubani has been privileged to enjoy two distinct careers, in diplomacy (1971 to 2004) and in academia (2004 to 2019). He is a prolific writer who has spoken in many corners of the world. In diplomacy, he was with the Singapore Foreign Service for 33 years (1971 to 2004). He had postings in Cambodia, Malaysia, Washington DC and New York, where he twice was Singapore's Ambassador to the UN and served as President of the UN Security Council in January 2001 and May 2002. He was Permanent Secretary at the Foreign Ministry from 1993 to 1998. As a result of his excellent performance in his diplomatic career, he was conferred the Public Administration Medal (Gold) by the Singapore Government in 1998. Mr Mahbubani joined academia in 2004, when he was appointed the Founding Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKY School), NUS. He was Dean from 2004 to 2017, and a Professor in the Practice of Public Policy from 2006 to 2019. In April 2019, he was elected as an honorary international member to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which has honoured distinguished thinkers, including several of America's founding fathers, since 1780. Mr Mahbubani was awarded the President's Scholarship in 1967. He graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Philosophy from the University of Singapore in 1971. From Dalhousie University, Canada, he received a Master's degree in Philosophy in 1976 and an honorary doctorate in 1995. He spent a year as a fellow at the Center for International Affairs at Harvard University from 1991 to 1992. He has achieved several “firsts” in his two careers. He was the Founding Dean of the LKY School, the founding Director of the Civil Service College, the first Singapore Ambassador to serve on the UN Security Council, the first Singaporean to publish articles in globally renowned journals and newspapers like Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the New York Times and the Financial Times and co-authored articles with distinguished global thought leaders like Kofi Annan, Klaus Schwab and Larry Summers. Mr Mahbubani has never shied away from taking on new challenges. He is also a prolific author, having published nine books: Can Asians Think?; Beyond the Age of Innocence; The New Asian Hemisphere; The Great Convergence; Can Singapore Survive?; The ASEAN Miracle (co-authored with Jeffery Sng); Has the West Lost It?; Has China Won?; and The Asian 21st Century, an open access book which has received over 3 million downloads. His memoir, Living the Asian Century, will be released in August 2024. Mr Mahbubani has received significant international recognition for his many accomplishments. The Foreign Policy Association Medal was awarded to him in New York in June 2004 with the following opening words in the citation: “A gifted diplomat, a student of history and philosophy, a provocative writer and an intuitive thinker”. He was listed as one of the top 100 public intellectuals in the world by Foreign Policy and Prospect magazines in September 2005, and included in the March 2009 Financial Times list of Top 50 individuals who would shape the debate on the future of capitalism. He was selected as one of Foreign Policy's Top Global Thinkers in 2010 and 2011. In 2011, he was described as “the muse of the Asian century”. He was selected by Prospect magazine as one of the top 50 world thinkers for 2014.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe
Questions, suggestions, or feedback? Send us a message!Our guest this week is William Sargent. He co-founded Framestore in 1986 and led its rise from an award winning commercials production house to world renowned film and digital studio. During three decades the company has worked on all the Harry Potter films (and the JK Rowling 'Fantastic Beasts') , Alfonso Cuarón's Gravity, James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy, Paul King's Paddington, Dr Strange, Christopher Robin, Blade Runner 2049 and Marvel's Avengers Series.William and his team have won all the major creative awards including 3 Oscars, British Academy, Primetime Emmys, D&AD, Royal Television Society and most recently over 100 global awards for the newest format Virtual Reality.Equally at home in Hollywood and government, he was Permanent Secretary, Regulatory Reform, at the Cabinet Office, and Board Director of HM Treasury. He is currently a governor at Europe's largest arts complex Southbank Center, the U.K. governments innovation agency, Trinity College Dublin's Provost Council and the London Mayor's Business Council. William is a fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, member of BAFTA and the Academy. He received a CBE in 2004 and was knighted by the Queen in 2008.We talk about:Rear ProjectionStop motion animationAlfonso Cuaron's GravityHow music videos started the UK film industryGeorge Lucas' vision of multi-platform story tellingHow car manufacturing robots help in filmmakingTennis balls and florescent tapeHow to create dinosaursThe next decade of filmmakingLet's roll.Web: www.whereshallwemeet.xyzTwitter: @whrshallwemeetInstagram: @whrshallwemeet
How can NHS backlogs be tackled and waiting times improved? What are the prospects for adult social care reform in this parliament? How can government ensure health and care services have sufficient workforces? Do health and care services have sufficient funding and is existing funding used effectively? To what extent can and should health services focus more on prevention? And to what extent do the government's proposals address these challenges? Dr Becks Fisher, Director of Research and Policy at Nuffield Trust Professor Naomi Fulop, Professor of Health Care Organisation and Management at the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care Preet Gill MP, former Shadow Minister for Primary Care and Public Health Dame Una O'Brien, former Permanent Secretary in the Department of Health This session was chaired by Stuart Hoddinott, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government. This event was part of the IfG's public services conference, kindly supported by UCL.
How can NHS backlogs be tackled and waiting times improved? What are the prospects for adult social care reform in this parliament? How can government ensure health and care services have sufficient workforces? Do health and care services have sufficient funding and is existing funding used effectively? To what extent can and should health services focus more on prevention? And to what extent do the government's proposals address these challenges? Dr Becks Fisher, Director of Research and Policy at Nuffield Trust Professor Naomi Fulop, Professor of Health Care Organisation and Management at the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care Preet Gill MP, former Shadow Minister for Primary Care and Public Health Dame Una O'Brien, former Permanent Secretary in the Department of Health This session was chaired by Stuart Hoddinott, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A delegation from the World Bank is currently on island undertaking a week-long Implementation Support Mission for the Health Systems Strengthening Project (HSSP) and the OECS Regional Health Project which is being managed by the Project Implementation Unit within the Ministry of Health. The mission which is taking place from November 11 – 15 will involve setting a clear and detailed plan for meeting the project timelines and milestones, in addition to resolving any challenges that can affect the accelerated implementation of the projects. The mission kicked off by way of a meeting with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Jenny Daniel, where discussions focused on the overall support to be provided to the Project Implementation Unit to accelerate prioritized activities.
The Electricity Association of Ireland (EAI) has published a comprehensive strategic roadmap to decarbonise the electricity sector, economy and society. This marks the shared view of the all-island electricity sector, from generation through to retail, of the critical role of electricity in achieving Ireland's climate goals. Ireland must increase electrification of industry, heating and transport in tandem with our accelerated renewables adoption as the key to our zero emissions future. Electrification of industry has stagnated in Ireland, increased ambition in this area is required so that excess renewables can be consumed in Ireland giving Irish industry a distinct advantage in greener industrial outputs. Investment of close to €2bn annually in electricity grid reinforcement, renewal and resilience is needed to drive this transformation. This is a level not previously seen on the island but necessary to avoid fines of over €8 billion. All-island policy, investment strategies and frameworks must be clear and cohesive to attract the necessary capital for post-2030 technologies. An investment framework that supports the decarbonisation of the All-island Electricity System and aligns with the scale of capital commitment and projected revenue streams is required. Presented at "Ireland's Zero e-Mission Future," a major all-island energy conference in Dublin yesterday organised by EAI, the roadmap envisions the electricity sector decarbonising ahead of society, paving the way for an emission-free future. By fostering greater investment and policy alignment, Ireland can lead the way in delivering a clean, reliable and affordable energy system for all. Keynote speakers Declan Hughes, Secretary General of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (ROI), and Ian Snowden, Permanent Secretary of the Department for the Economy (NI) addressed industry leaders including energy company CEOs and senior level stakeholders. Ireland's path to a low-carbon future relies on accelerating renewable energy adoption in tandem with increasing electrification across Industry, heating and transport. However, there has been slow progress in these areas after an initially positive start. Electrification of Industry has stagnated in; this roadmap calls for increased ambition so that excess renewables can be consumed in Ireland, giving Irish industry a distinct advantage in greener industrial outputs. The Climate Change Advisory Council has recently stated that Ireland could face EU fines of over €8bn after 2030 if the country stays on its current trajectory and misses climate targets. The Electricity Association is urging policymakers to revamp the current investment framework, ensuring it aligns with the scale of capital commitment to deploy new technologies and the projected revenue streams associated with them. In addition, close to €2bn annually will be required for future grid reinforcement, renewal and resilience to enable a 60% reduction in emissions from the sector by 2030. The roadmap outlines key actions, including a comprehensive review of the Capacity Remuneration Market (CRM) (which ensures sufficient generating capacity, especially during peak times) and the assessment of Investment options to support low-carbon technologies. Commenting on the report, Dara Lynott, CEO of the Electricity Association of Ireland, said: "The electricity sector has led the way in reducing carbon emissions while providing a safe and secure energy supply and is ambitious in its goal to power a decarbonised society. This roadmap sets out how, with the right investment signals and greater ambition, this can be achieved. "The electricity sector must decarbonise in advance of society, but the potential technology options that will help us achieve this goal all carry high levels of uncertainty. They share a requirement for significant capital, long construction times, decades-long lifespans, and a critical need for investment decisions to be made well in advan...
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs conveys sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused by the temporary redirection of services from the Castries Wellness Centre. Over the years, the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs has remained steadfast in providing high-quality primary health care through our Community Health Nursing Service, supporting individuals, families, and communities in Saint Lucia. Despite our best efforts, the Castries Wellness Centre experienced significant structural and situational deterioration over time, leading to hazardous conditions for both clients and staff. Recognizing the urgent need to safeguard everyone who relies on our services, we made the difficult but necessary decision to redirect services from the Castries Wellness Centre to the La Clery and other nearby Wellness Centres. We understand the disruption this may have caused, and we thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to improve our facilities for a safer, stronger healthcare environment.
Joy Harcup is an executive coach and board reviewer at Praesta Partners and author of The Art & Psychology of Board Relationships. Dame Una O'Brien is on the boards of Lloyd's Register Museum and Ashmolean Museum. A former Permanent Secretary of the UK Department of Health, she is a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Government. Tune in to hear their thoughts on: Can you explain the 7 archetypal negative dynamics you've identified? (2:53) Can you talk through how some of the specific archetypes have played out for you in the boardroom? (8:46) Can we use the above example to look at the psychology of see-sawing? (12:21) What do the terms “projection”, “transference” and “pairing” mean in a boardroom context? (16:55) What would you say to those who dismiss these ideas as psychobabble? (19:21) Can you give a boardroom example where you have resolved someone's projection? (21:34) How have you experienced the doomsday scenario in the boardroom? (24:45) Can you talk through the “stand-off” dynamic in boardrooms? (33:50) ⚡ The Lightning Round ⚡(36:50) Show notes and transcript available at https://www.nurole.com/news-and-guides
Rosalind English talks to Tim Lankester, who was Permanent Secretary of this country's foreign aid department when a huge scandal broke about the grant of aid to Malaysia in the 1990s. The Court's ruling that this decision was unlawful marked a shift in the balance between the judiciary and the executive. Sir Tim and Rosalind are joined by law Professor Liz Fisher to discuss the role of the courts in government decision making over the past thirty years. Law Pod UK is published by 1 Crown Office Row. Supporting articles are published on the UK Human Rights Blog. Follow and interact with the podcast team on Twitter.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs wishes to inform the public of the temporary closure of several wellness centres due to concerns regarding air quality. These closures are necessary to address potential health risks and ensure the wellbeing of both staff and residents. The Ministry is fully committed to taking swift and effective action to resolve the issues and restore the services as soon as possible. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Jenny Daniel, emphasized the Ministry's commitment to public safety. “We understand the inconvenience these closures may cause, and we sincerely apologize for any disruptions to the community. However, the health and safety of our residents are paramount, and these actions are necessary to prevent any potential health risks,” stated the Permanent Secretary. https://www.govt.lc/news/temporary-wellness-centre-closures-for-air-quality-remediation
South Korean writer Han Kang won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature on Thursday. The Swedish Academy's Nobel Committee said her work “confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.” 韩国作家韩康周四荣获 2024 年诺贝尔文学奖。瑞典学院诺贝尔委员会表示,她的作品“直面历史创伤,暴露了人类生命的脆弱”。 Born in 1970, Han Kang is the first South Korean to win the literature prize. Kang began her career in 1993 with the publication of several poems in Literature and Society. She published her first story in 1995 with Love of Yeosu. 韩康出生于1970年,是第一位获得文学奖的韩国人。康于1993年开始了她的职业生涯,在《文学与社会》上发表了几首诗。1995年,她发表了第一篇小说《丽水之恋》。 In 2016, Kang won the Man Booker International Prize for The Vegetarian. It tells the story of a woman's decision to stop eating meat and her family's worry about her mental health. The novel was the first of her books to be translated into English and was seen as her major international breakthrough. 2016年,康凭借《素食者》获得曼布克国际奖。它讲述了一名女性决定停止吃肉以及家人对她心理健康的担忧的故事。这本小说是她第一本被翻译成英文的书,被视为她在国际上的重大突破。 In a talk with the Booker Prizes, published last year, Kang said the book was written during a difficult period in her life. She questioned whether she could finish the story or even survive as a writer. 在去年出版的布克奖颁奖典礼上,康表示这本书是在她人生的困难时期写成的。她质疑自己能否完成这个故事,甚至能否作为一名作家生存下去。 "I was suffering from severe arthritis…To this day, I feel awkward when I hear about the novel's ‘success,'” she said. “我当时患有严重的关节炎……直到今天,当我听到这部小说的‘成功'时,我都感到很尴尬,”她说。 In the novel Human Acts, Kang explored the 1980 killing of hundreds of students and unarmed civilians by the South Korean military in the city of Gwangju, where she grew up. 在小说《人类的行为》中,康探讨了 1980 年韩国军队在她长大的光州市杀害数百名学生和手无寸铁的平民的事件。 "In seeking to give voice to the victims of history, the book confronts this episode with brutal actualization and, in so doing, approaches the genre of witness literature," the Academy said. 该学院表示:“为了向历史受害者发出声音,这本书以残酷的现实来面对这一事件,并以此接近了见证文学的类型。”Kang is the second South Korean to win a Nobel Prize. Former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his efforts to restore democracy in the South and improve relations with North Korea. 康是第二位获得诺贝尔奖的韩国人。韩国前总统金大中因其在韩国恢复民主和改善与朝鲜关系的努力而获得2000年诺贝尔和平奖。 The literature prize has long faced criticism that it is too centered on European and North American writings. It has also been awarded mainly to male writers. Kang is only the 18th woman to receive the award among more than 100 winners. 长期以来,文学奖一直面临着过于以欧洲和北美作品为中心的批评。该奖项也主要颁发给男性作家。Kang是100多名获奖者中第18位获得该奖项的女性。 Past winners of the prize include well-known writers like Irish poet W.B. Yeats, American writer Ernest Hemingway and Colombia's Gabriel Garcia Marquez. In 2016, American singer Bob Dylan also received the prize “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition” 该奖项的历届获奖者包括爱尔兰诗人 W.B. 叶芝、美国作家欧内斯特·海明威和哥伦比亚的加布里埃尔·加西亚·马尔克斯。2016年,美国歌手鲍勃·迪伦也因“在伟大的美国歌曲传统中创造了新的诗意表达方式”而获奖。 Mats Malm is Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy. He told reporters, “I was able to talk to Han Kang over the phone. She was having an ordinary day, it seems, she had just finished supper with her son." 马茨·马尔姆 (Mats Malm) 是瑞典学院常务秘书。他告诉记者,“我能够通过电话与韩康交谈。她今天过得很平常,好像刚刚和儿子吃完晚饭。” The prize comes with a money award of $1.1 million. 该奖项奖金为 110 万美元。
What needs to be done to embed Labour's missions-led approach into the way that government works? How should No.10, the Cabinet Office and the Treasury be reformed to help deliver long term policy objectives? What is the role of ministers in mission-led government? And how can mission-led government mean more than a few new committees in Whitehall – and instead, help the centre to address long term chronic problems, make government more open and encourage collaboration? Speakers: Josh Simons MP, Member of Parliament for Makerfield and former Director of Labour Together Clare Moriarty, former Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Kartina Tahir Thomson, President of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government. This event was in partnership with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This event was held at the 2024 Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. Speakers: Josh Simons MP, Member of Parliament for Makerfield and former Director of Labour Together Clare Moriarty, former Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Kartina Tahir Thomson, President of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government. This event was in partnership with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
The seasoned Singapore diplomat Kishore Mahbubani is bullish on India and Asean but says the US should not be underestimated. Synopsis: Every third and fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. Veteran Singapore diplomat Kishore Mahbubani, never shy about sharing his views, is bullish on India and Asean, believes China will not invade Taiwan unless the island declares independence - and warns that no one should underestimate America. In this episode, Mr Mahbubani says Europe should also revise its notions of being a global economic powerhouse, and the United Kingdom needs to give up its seat on the UN Security Council so India can take it. Asean has been successful as a regional organisation in preventing Brexit-style breakaways as well as wars in the region - and by 2030 its combined economy will be bigger than Japan's, Mr Mahbubani contends. Pressure on China will grow regardless of who occupies the White House after America's presidential election. In terms of tactics, Kamala Harris would be predictable, but Donald Trump would not. Mr Mahbubani, currently a Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute of the National University of Singapore, is among other things former Singapore Ambassador to the UN, former Permanent Secretary at Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and founding Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. He has just published a new book titled Living The Asian Century: An Undiplomatic Memoir." Highlights (click/tap above): 1:54 Three geopolitical geniuses - Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Keng Swee, and S. Rajaratnam 5:32 South-east Asia has an enormous agency; Asean will be bigger than Japan by 2030 8:46 "I am extremely bullish about the prospects of India," says Kishore Mahbubani 11:11 Chinese and Indian inventors are responsible for 20% of all US patents 15:04 Wars are draining 16:59 Near-universal consensus in Washington DC that the US has about 10 years to stop China from becoming No.1 18:44 You can't predict what Donald Trump is going to do Produced by: Studio+65 Follow Asian Insider with Nirmal Ghosh every third and fourth Friday of the month here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Nirmal Ghosh on X: https://str.sg/JD7r Read Nirmal Ghosh's articles: https://str.sg/JbxG Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The seasoned Singapore diplomat Kishore Mahbubani is bullish on India and Asean but says the US should not be underestimated. Synopsis: Every third and fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. Veteran Singapore diplomat Kishore Mahbubani, never shy about sharing his views, is bullish on India and Asean, believes China will not invade Taiwan unless the island declares independence - and warns that no one should underestimate America. In this episode, Mr Mahbubani says Europe should also revise its notions of being a global economic powerhouse, and the United Kingdom needs to give up its seat on the UN Security Council so India can take it. Asean has been successful as a regional organisation in preventing Brexit-style breakaways as well as wars in the region - and by 2030 its combined economy will be bigger than Japan's, Mr Mahbubani contends. Pressure on China will grow regardless of who occupies the White House after America's presidential election. In terms of tactics, Kamala Harris would be predictable, but Donald Trump would not. Mr Mahbubani, currently a Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute of the National University of Singapore, is among other things former Singapore Ambassador to the UN, former Permanent Secretary at Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and founding Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. He has just published a new book titled Living The Asian Century: An Undiplomatic Memoir." Highlights (click/tap above): 1:54 Three geopolitical geniuses - Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Keng Swee, and S. Rajaratnam 5:32 South-east Asia has an enormous agency; Asean will be bigger than Japan by 2030 8:46 "I am extremely bullish about the prospects of India," says Kishore Mahbubani 11:11 Chinese and Indian inventors are responsible for 20% of all US patents 15:04 Wars are draining 16:59 Near-universal consensus in Washington DC that the US has about 10 years to stop China from becoming No.1 18:44 You can't predict what Donald Trump is going to do Produced by: Studio+65 Follow Asian Insider with Nirmal Ghosh every third and fourth Friday of the month here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Nirmal Ghosh on X: https://str.sg/JD7r Read Nirmal Ghosh's articles: https://str.sg/JbxG Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kenyan teachers continued their strike for the third day Wednesday despite a court order to suspend the work stoppage. They are demanding the implementation of the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement and the confirmation of about 46,000 junior secondary staff teachers as permanent and pension-worthy employees. Kenya's Permanent Secretary for Education announced this week that the government will pay all public school teachers their July and August salary increases by Friday this week. Julius Korir is the deputy president of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers. He tells VOA's James Butty the teachers want the commitment on paper.
Join Endgame's first and biggest conference ever! https://www.endgametownhall.com ---------------------- Join Gita Wirjawan as Singaporean diplomat, founder of the LKY School of Public Policy, and former President of the UN Security Council, Kishore Mahbubani, makes his return to Endgame. In this conversation, Mahbubani explores the intricate dance between Western and Asian geopolitics, unravels the complexities of the UN Security Council, and examines the decline of multilateral institutions—along with how to bring them back. As new conflicts and alliances emerge, what will the future of global geopolitics look like? #Endgame #GitaWirjawan #KishoreMahbubani ---------------------- About Luminary: Kishore Mahbubani is a Singaporean diplomat, Founding Dean of LKY School of Public Policy, and Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute (ARI), National University of Singapore. Previously, he served as the President of the United Nations Security Council (2001 - 2002), Singaporean Ambassador to the UN, as well as Permanent Secretary at the Foreign Ministry of Singapore (1993 - 1998). A philosopher by training and storyteller by nature, Mahbubani has written various books surrounding Asian and Western geopolitics—his latest open-access book, The Asian 21st Century (2022), reaching over 3 million downloads. About the Host: Gita Wirjawan is an Indonesian entrepreneur, educator, and Honorary Professor of Politics and International Relations at the School of Politics and International Relations, University of Nottingham. He is also a visiting scholar at The Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC) at Stanford University (2022—2024) and a fellow at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. ---------------------- To discuss and explore more of this episode, visit: https://endgame.id/
They left ECOWAS saying it's influenced by foreign countries. Now, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have set up their own bloc, calling it the Alliance of Sahel States. But what's behind their new agreement? And what impact will it have on the wider region? In this episode: Erwan De Cherisey, Specialist, sub-Saharan African armed forces. Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, President, Sahel Sahara Security Strategy Center. Alkassoum Abdourahmane, Permanent Secretary, Sahel International Solidarity Forum. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
There will be a British general election on July 4. “The most consequential of our generation” no doubt many politicians will remind the voters. But almost exactly 45 years ago, there really was a profoundly consequential British election. Back in May 1979, Mrs Margaret Thatcher's Conservative party won power in an election that ultimately changed everything about Britain. In 1979, (Sir) Tim Lankester was the first economic private secretary to Margaret Thatcher and, in his new book, INSIDE THATCHER'S MONETARISM EXPERIMENT, he writes about the promise, failure and legacy of this radical economic gamble. Yet in spite of the economic failure of Thatcher's monetarist experiment, Sir Tim appears not a little nostalgic for a politician with the vision and will of the Iron Lady. “Mrs Thatcher never lied”, he reminded me about a politician whose success at the polls was rooted in the trust she established with the electorate. And it's this trust that seems most scarce now, not just in the UK, but also in the US and other late-stage western democracies. Sir Tim Lankester has led a distinguished career in economics and public service and is an ardent supporter of charity and the arts. After studying at St John's College, Cambridge, and Yale University, Tim went on to enjoy an career with World Bank and then in the English Civil Service, including; at the British Embassy in Washington D.C., as Private Secretary to James Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher, as Permanent Secretary at the Overseas Development Administration (now the DFID), and at the Department of Education. He retired from public service in 1994, for which he was knighted. He went on to serve as Director of the School of Oriental and African Studies (1996 – 2000), President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford (2001 - 2009), and Chair of the Council of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2008 – 2014). From 2007 to 2015, Tim was Chair of The Place and formerly a board member of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama and Governor of the Royal College of Music. Currently, Tim sits on the boards for many charities, including; Wells Maltings Trust, Norfolk; International Foundation for Arts and Culture; MBI AL Jaber Foundation; and Karachi Education Initiative UK. Tim also sits on the Board for the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Art and Culture, University of East Anglia, and is and Honorary Fellow of both SOAS and St John's College, Oxford.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe
Jonathan Macklin is an inspiration. Hear his amazing story of how he has become involved in helping the poor nation of Zambia in meeting so many basic needs. Here is more, from their website:"My name is Jonathan Macklin. I am the founder of Archangel Group International a Non-Profit Corporation (AGI). AGI/USA is a registered 501c3 (Public Charity) with the IRS (EIN-92- 3114692). AGI is based in Decatur, Alabama but operates in the Republic of Africa. I am a longtime resident and a current police officer for the City of Decatur. I have over 17 years of experience in law enforcement with expertise including school resources, investigations, violent crimes, sex crimes, prostitution, narcotics, and street gangs. In November of 2023, Dr. Douglas Sakuwaha and I founded the non-governmental organization (NGO), Archangel Group International/Zambia. Dr. Sakuwaha is a highly educated Zambian nationalist who speaks seven languages and is respected by the Zambian people. His skillset has helped us navigate through barriers including a multitude of languages and many cultural barriers that exist in the country. The NGO allows members from the United States to work in the country under a work permit. The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Bishop Kondwelani Sakala, recently joined AGI's Board of Directors. He is highly respected by the President of Zambia. He assisted us with forming a liaison with Zambia Police and the Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs and Internal Security. As for AGI, its primary objective is to combat human trafficking issues that exist in Zambia. Human trafficking is a serious issue plaguing the country. The root causes of this inhumane act of violence are multifaceted and include poverty, lack of education, gender inequality, and corruption. Many Zambians live in extreme poverty and do not have access to food, suitable housing, humanitarian aid, clean water, education, or healthcare. Vulnerable families from rural areas are enticed to send their children to work in cities without verifying working or living conditions. Child labor is a culturally accepted practice in Zambia, and many times child exploitation remains unidentified, unchecked, and rampant. Many families are so poor, the parents feel forced to abandon one or more of their children in order to survive themselves. For more information on Jonathan and Lindsey and his work visit https://archangelgroupinternational.org Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town Podcast Website: https://ourtownpodcast.net Spotify Channel: https://spoti.fi/3QtpT8z Audio available on all platforms - just search for "Our Town Podcast" Follow us on social media: LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/41rlgTt Facebook: https://bit.ly/ourtownpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/ Episode Timeline: 00:00 Start 02:25 Background | Bobby Bonner 07:20 The Dream | Meeting Douglas 12:30 AGI Missions and Goals 16:07 Comparing with Bobby 19:12 This for That 25:34 NGO's 34:00 Humanitarian Aid 37:28 Finding Fresh Water 40:50 Police Training 47:00 Zambia History 50:35 Schools, Education 56:10 Anti Trafficking 01:03:20 Teaching Agriculture 01:10:25 Lindsey Macklin 01:17:30 True Fulfillment 01:21:35 Website Plug 01:28:09 Conclusion --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/m-troy-bye/support
South-east Asian countries appreciate there is no strategic balance in the region without the US, so they will find ways to deal with whoever is in the White House. Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. How South-east Asia - situated at the crossroads of Asia and the Pacific - sees and navigates growing tensions between China and the United States, is little understood outside the region. Views of China in the region are mixed, with recent surveys showing that China is seen as a valuable partner, and yet not trusted. There is an appreciation that dealing with the US - whoever occupies the White House - is critical as Washington is seen as a strategic balancer. Meanwhile, as the US deepens and expands an architecture of alliances across the Asia-Pacific, China has fewer friends and allies and has done little to assuage countries' concerns over what is, despite Beijing's professions to the contrary, seen as its hegemonic tendencies. The United States' support of Israel's actions in Gaza, has also not gone down well in the region, which is dotted with either Muslim-majority countries, or countries with significant Muslim minorities. In this episode of Asian Insider, Nirmal hosts Bilahari Kausikan, famously forthright former Permanent Secretary and former Ambassador-at-Large at Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Now the chairman of the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore, Bilahari lays out the regional perspective, and explains why - despite the real risk of an accident between the US and China over Taiwan - a war by design between the two big powers, is highly unlikely. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:47 China: Neighbour with great opportunities yet displays hegemonic tendencies 4:01 Anxieties about Chinese behaviour and the US' balancing acts 7:05 "War by design between the US and China is highly unlikely": Bilahari Kausikan 11:27 "The Global South represents a mood rather than any coherent convergence of interests" 13:43 "To deal with China, you have to deal with the US" 14:10 Why the US does not bear the burden or pay any price to uphold international order Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh (nirmal@sph.com.sg) and Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Fa'izah Sani Follow Asian Insider with Nirmal Ghosh every fourth Friday of the month here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Nirmal Ghosh on X: https://str.sg/JD7r Read Nirmal Ghosh's articles: https://str.sg/JbxG Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
South-east Asian countries appreciate there is no strategic balance in the region without the US, so they will find ways to deal with whoever is in the White House. Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. How South-east Asia - situated at the crossroads of Asia and the Pacific - sees and navigates growing tensions between China and the United States, is little understood outside the region. Views of China in the region are mixed, with recent surveys showing that China is seen as a valuable partner, and yet not trusted. There is an appreciation that dealing with the US - whoever occupies the White House - is critical as Washington is seen as a strategic balancer. Meanwhile, as the US deepens and expands an architecture of alliances across the Asia-Pacific, China has fewer friends and allies and has done little to assuage countries' concerns over what is, despite Beijing's professions to the contrary, seen as its hegemonic tendencies. The United States' support of Israel's actions in Gaza, has also not gone down well in the region, which is dotted with either Muslim-majority countries, or countries with significant Muslim minorities. In this episode of Asian Insider, Nirmal hosts Bilahari Kausikan, famously forthright former Permanent Secretary and former Ambassador-at-Large at Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Now the chairman of the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore, Bilahari lays out the regional perspective, and explains why - despite the real risk of an accident between the US and China over Taiwan - a war by design between the two big powers, is highly unlikely. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:47 China: Neighbour with great opportunities yet displays hegemonic tendencies 4:01 Anxieties about Chinese behaviour and the US' balancing acts 7:05 "War by design between the US and China is highly unlikely": Bilahari Kausikan 11:27 "The Global South represents a mood rather than any coherent convergence of interests" 13:43 "To deal with China, you have to deal with the US" 14:10 Why the US does not bear the burden or pay any price to uphold international order Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh (nirmal@sph.com.sg) and Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Fa'izah Sani Follow Asian Insider with Nirmal Ghosh every fourth Friday of the month here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Nirmal Ghosh on X: https://str.sg/JD7r Read Nirmal Ghosh's articles: https://str.sg/JbxG Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The success of the civil service has always depended on the recruitment and retention of exceptional individuals – and this means bringing in talented outsiders with particular skills and capabilities. It is 170 years since the Northcote-Trevelyan report argued that people “of the highest abilities should be selected for the highest posts” in Whitehall, while the government's most recent reform plan, the 2021 Declaration on Government Reform, argued that more external recruits were needed. So, who are the officials at the very top of the civil service – and is enough being done to recruit the best outside talent? Why would the civil service benefit from bringing in more outsiders? Does civil service culture make it difficult to thrive as an external recruit? What sort of skills does the civil service need from expert outsiders? And what progress has been made since the Declaration on Government Reform was published? To discuss these questions, this event featured three permanent secretaries who have all spent time working in the private sector as well for the civil service: Gareth Davies, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Business and Trade Cat Little, Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office Sarah Munby, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Jordan Urban, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government The event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Treasury is perhaps the most powerful department in Whitehall. Its ownership of public spending means it has direct control over the money available to the rest of government, while the Treasury's responsibility for tax policy gives it enormous influence over the finances of households and businesses. But criticism of the department's influence on government policy is almost as old as the institution itself, with frequent complaints about the “dead hand of the Treasury” or attacks on the department's “orthodoxy”. However, a recent IfG report found many of the fiercest criticisms to be overblown: many simply represent a dislike of a budget constraint. The department plays an important function in effectively managing public spending and guarding against financial disorder. It has also consistently been a champion of economic growth, though there is debate about how that is managed against its responsibility for managing government spending. While the department has clear strengths, there are clearly problems with how it functions. The Treasury often takes a short-term approach, is frequently accused of micromanaging other departments, and wields excessive influence over government policy relative to the rest of the centre. So how can these problems be addressed? How much are they due to the relative weakness of other departments or the incentives facing Treasury ministers? And just what impact does the Treasury have on government policy making? Our expert panel exploring these issues and more featured: James Bowler CB, Permanent Secretary of HM Treasury Anita Charlesworth, Director of Research at the Health Foundation and former Director of Public Spending at HM Treasury David Gauke, former Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government and co-author of Treasury orthodoxy, and former No 10 special adviser for industrial strategy The event was chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.
In a new episode, I spoke with Lord Nigel Crisp, former Chief Executive of the English NHS and Permanent Secretary of the UK Department of Health. We explored the human side of healthcare, the importance of addressing housing and other social determinants for better health outcomes, and lessons the UK can learn from international health practices. Lord Crisp shared invaluable insights on enhancing patient-provider relationships, navigating the complexities of healthcare reform, and preparing for future health challenges.
George Parker, political editor of the Financial Times, looks back at the political week in which the Conservative party's biggest donor, Frank Hester, was reported to have used racist language about Diane Abbott, Britain's first black woman MP. It overshadowed a new government announcement on extremism which was unveiled by Communities Secretary Michael Gove. To discuss both those stories George is joined by one of the Conservative party's most prominent black politicians, Shaun Bailey, who was a former candidate for Mayor of London and now sits in the House of Lords, and Lord Mann, a former Labour MP who is now the government's independent adviser on antisemitism. Following news that the government intends to bring forward a mechanism to ban foreign state ownership of UK newspapers George is joined by Baroness Stowell, Conservative Chair of the Lords Communication and Digital Committee, and Lionel Barber, the former editor of the Financial Times. The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, was quizzed by MPs this week about his Budget in which he made a further cut to National Insurance. Lord Macpherson, a former Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, discusses whether the Chancellor could phase out national insurance altogether and looks at the economic situation in this election year and beyond. And, after a torrid week, are the wheels coming off the Number Ten operation? And can anything lift the darkening mood among Tory MPs? To discuss that George brings together Sir Craig Oliver, former Downing Street Director of Communications, and Katy Balls, political editor of The Spectator.
Zimbabwe is eyeing greater Chinese investment, aiming to boost bilateral cooperation in sectors like finance, mining, agriculture and tourism. We speak with Andrew Bvumbe, the Permanent Secretary of Zimbabwe's Ministry of Finance Economic Development & Investment Promotion, getting his thoughts on what makes Zimbabwe an attractive destination for Chinese investors and how economic collaboration between China and Zimbabwe can be improved.
The future of the UK asylum system could dominate the 2024 general election campaign. The prime minister has made his controversial Rwanda plan a flagship part of the government's agenda, while Labour has committed to reforming the asylum system as part of its plan to tackle Channel crossings. Rishi Sunak pledged to clear the legacy asylum backlog by the end of 2023, but the sizeable backlog of people waiting for a decision remains – with the government struggling to deal with new asylum cases and problems elsewhere in the system. So what are these problems? Does the government have a coherent plan to bring down the backlog? And what can be done to improve the UK's asylum system in the long term? This panel examined what steps the government can take to ensure the asylum system is fit for purpose in the long term. We were joined by an expert panel, including: Alvina Tamara Chibhamu, Ambassador at the VOICES network Sal Copley, Executive Director of Communications and External Affairs at the British Red Cross Lizzie Dearden, Home affairs journalist and author Sir Philip Rutnam, former Permanent Secretary at the Home Office The event was chaired by Joe Owen, Director of Impact at the Institute for Government. We would like to thank the British Red Cross for kindly supporting this event.
As he prepares to step down as Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Alex Chisholm spoke at the Institute for Government for his final time as a civil servant. During nearly a decade at the top of the civil service as a permanent secretary, Alex served four prime ministers and worked with three cabinet secretaries, covering eventful and tumultuous times. After four years as permanent secretary at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, in 2020 Alex moved to his current role at the heart of the civil service. Having played a leading part in the civil service reform agenda, Alex reflected on the scheme to relocate parts of the civil service from London, efforts to improve Whitehall's use of data and digital and to overhaul cross-departmental working, and his reflections on the government's response during the Covid-19 pandemic. At the event, Alex Chisholm was in conversation with IfG Director Dr Hannah White and will take part in an audience Q&A.
The next general election is – at most – one year away. If Labour wins, there will, as is almost always the case in the UK, be an overnight transition of power. A party that has spent 14 years in opposition would be instantly thrown into government. But having focused already limited resources on election campaigning, and often lacking the knowledge and experience of being in government, how can opposition parties prepare for an overnight transition? Which issues do they need to consider ahead of a possible election win? And what challenges might arise on that first day in power? As the Institute's research shows, proper preparation can make the difference between success and stagnation once in office. This event, the latest in the Institute for Government's General Election programme, discussed a new IfG report – Preparing for government: How oppositions should ready themselves for power – which sets out how to prepare for a possible transition into government. Joining us to the discuss the report and its findings was an expert panel, including: Wes Ball, former Director of the Parliamentary Labour Party Baroness Fall, former Deputy Chief of Staff to David Cameron Dr Catherine Haddon, Programme Director at the Institute for Government Lord Macpherson, former Permanent Secretary at HM Treasury (2005–16) The event was chaired by Joe Owen, Director of Impact at the Institute for Government. Follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) @ifgevents and join the conversation using #IfGGeneralElection.
EPISODE 1900: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Kishore Mahbubani, author of THE ASIAN 21st CENTURY, about the end of Western domination and the rise of Asian societies, economies and philosophiesKishore Mahbubani is a Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute (ARI), National University of Singapore (NUS). Mr Mahbubani has been privileged to enjoy two distinct careers, in diplomacy (1971 to 2004) and in academia (2004 to 2019). He is a prolific writer who has spoken in many corners of the world. In diplomacy, he was with the Singapore Foreign Service for 33 years (1971 to 2004). He had postings in Cambodia, Malaysia, Washington DC and New York, where he twice was Singapore's Ambassador to the UN and served as President of the UN Security Council in January 2001 and May 2002. He was Permanent Secretary at the Foreign Ministry from 1993 to 1998. As a result of his excellent performance in his diplomatic career, he was conferred the Public Administration Medal (Gold) by the Singapore Government in 1998. Mr Mahbubani joined academia in 2004, when he was appointed the Founding Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKY School), NUS. He was Dean from 2004 to 2017, and a Professor in the Practice of Public Policy from 2006 to 2019. In April 2019, he was elected as an honorary international member to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which has honoured distinguished thinkers, including several of America's founding fathers, since 1780. Mr Mahbubani was awarded the President's Scholarship in 1967. He graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Philosophy from the University of Singapore in 1971. From Dalhousie University, Canada, he received a Master's degree in Philosophy in 1976 and an honorary doctorate in 1995. He spent a year as a fellow at the Center for International Affairs at Harvard University from 1991 to 1992. He has achieved several “firsts” in his two careers. He was the Founding Dean of the LKY School, the founding Director of the Civil Service College, the first Singapore Ambassador to serve on the UN Security Council, the first Singaporean to publish articles in globally renowned journals and newspapers like Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the New York Times and the Financial Times and co-authored articles with distinguished global thought leaders like Kofi Annan, Klaus Schwab and Larry Summers. Mr Mahbubani has never shied away from taking on new challenges. He has also been a prolific author, having published eight books: Can Asians Think?, Beyond The Age Of Innocence, The New Asian Hemisphere, The Great Convergence, Can Singapore Survive, The ASEAN Miracle (co-authored with Jeffery Sng), Has the West Lost It? and Has China Won?.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.
진행자: 김혜연, Naomi Garyan 1. S. Korea, Thailand to work to resolve entry denial claims 기사 요약: 한국 정부, 태국과 체류 및 입국 심사 불만 문제 논의할 의사 밝혀 [1] South Korea and Thailand are to jointly address the growing number of undocumented residents of Thai nationality here in response to complaints of some regular Thai travelers being denied entry to Korea. - undocumented residents 미등록 거주자들 [2] Seoul's Foreign Ministry said in a statement Saturday that First Vice Minister Chang Ho-jin proposed holding a bilateral consular strategic meeting with Thailand to discuss "issues related to Thais' visa status in and entry into Korea," without elaborating on the timeframe. - consular 영사(관) - timeframe 기간 [3] The proposal came during Chang's annual meeting with Thailand's Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Sarun Charoensuwan in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday. Chang was quoted as saying by the Thai local media that Seoul had already introduced measures to tackle a surge in the number of Thais living in South Korea illegally, including granting amnesty to illegal workers if they leave voluntarily. He added that the country currently has an annual quota for 4,800 Thai laborers to come to work in Korea. - quoted as saying 인용된, 발췌된 - amnesty 사면 [4] A string of social media posts about experiences of being denied entry to Korea and deported -- despite proof of accommodation and a return ticket -- prompted a backlash over the past week. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin earlier Tuesday vowed to look into the issue. - prompt 즉각적인, 지체 없는 - vowed 맹세[서약]하다 기사 원문: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20231105000144 2. Talks on Goryeo artifact's repatriation resume a decade later 기사 요약: 보스턴 미술관 고려시대 사리구 반환협상, 2009년 결렬된 후 올해 재개 조짐 [1] Discussions on the return to Korea of the silver-gilt Lamaistic pagoda-shaped sarira reliquary dating back to the 13th century in the Goryeo era, which is currently on exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, are set to resume, 10 years after the previous talks fell through. - reliquary 성유물함 - fall through 완료[실현]되지 못하다 [2] Hyemun, a former Buddhist monk and the leader of a non-profit civic group dedicated to repatriating cultural heritage, emphasized the need to restart discussions and focus on bringing the sarira back to Korea, in a phone interview with The Korea Herald on Tuesday. "Because of the (Cultural Heritage Administration's) refusal in 2009, we have to start talks again from zero, and ask for the sarira to be returned, which could have been done earlier," Hyemun said. - dedicated to -에 전념하는, 헌신하는 - refusal 거절, 거부 [3] On Monday, Hyemun issued a press release announcing that he had set up a meeting with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, on Tuesday to negotiate the relic's return. - issue 발표[공표]하다 - negotiate 성사시키다, 타결하다 [4] Efforts to repatriate the artifact began in 2003, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration. In 2009, the museum inquired as to whether South Korea would accept only the sarira without the reliquary. The CHA responded that it would not consider receiving the sarira separately, as the reliquary and the sarira together hold cultural significance. Meanwhile, the CHA told The Korea Herald on Tuesday that talks resumed in late April, after a visit by South Korean first lady Kim Keon Hee to the museum. - inquire 문의하다, 묻다 - hold significance ~에 의미가 있다 기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20231107000616 [코리아헤럴드 팟캐스트 구독] 아이튠즈(아이폰): https://itunes.apple.com/kr/podcast/koliaheleoldeu-paskaeseuteu/id686406253?mt=2 네이버 오디오 클립(아이폰, 안드로이드 겸용): https://audioclip.naver.com/channels/5404 팟빵 (안드로이드): http://www.podbbang.com/ch/6638 위 팟캐스트 에피소드에는 스포티파이의 후원광고를 포함하고 있습니다. 지금 바로 스포티파이 포 팟캐스터에서 팟캐스트를 만들어보세요! http://podcasters.spotify.com
The cost of living crisis followed a decade in which people's wages and incomes barely grew. The idea that each generation does at least as well as the one before, has for the moment ended. We'll only start getting better off again if we can get the economy growing – as it used to in the decades preceding the financial crisis. So, what levers can governments pull to get growth back into the system? Why don't governments do the things that nearly every expert thinks might work? Should we be looking to governments at all? Paul Johnson of the Institute for Fiscal Studies explores the challenges facing the UK economy and asks: how can any government get the UK economy growing? Presenter: Paul Johnson Producer: Farhana Haider Editor: Claire Fordham Contributors: Diane Coyle, Bennett Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge. Jagjit Chadha, Director of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research Stephen Evans, Chief Executive of the Learning and Work Institute Richard Davies, Director of the Economics Observatory Louise Hellem, Chief economist at the CBI. Nicholas Macpherson, former Permanent Secretary at the Treasury. Rowan Crozier, CEO C. Brandauer & Co Ltd Sam Bowan, Editor of Works in Progress
On today's Intrigue Outloud, Estonia's Ambassador to the US, Kristjan Prikk, joins to discuss why the War in Ukraine hits so close to home in Estonia, how to make Europe a more secure place, and how Estonia can help Ukraine rebuild after the war.Kristjan Prikk has served as Estonia's Ambassador to the US since 2021. Prior to his posting in Washington, Prikk served for nearly three years as the Permanent Secretary of the Estonian Ministry of Defense.Thanks to our sponsor, Drizly.