Podcasts about public procurement

Emer Higgins, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Mid- West and Minister of State for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment // Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West & party spokesperson on housing // Gabija Gataveckaite, Political Reporter at the Irish Independent // Oisín Coghlan, Spokesperson, The Stop Climate Chaos Coalition

The European Commission recently launched an evaluation of the 2014 directives which shape the rules around public procurement, the process by which public contracts are put out to tender. Trade unions have called for a revision that ensures the inclusion of criteria based on quality, rather than only price. In particular, they have argued that these rules can be used as a tool to improve labour conditions and promote collective bargaining, rather than allowing some employers to be undercut by those who show less respect for workers' rights and trade union engagement.  Discussion with Niklas Bruun, professor of law at the Hanken School of Economics in Helsinki, about his recent paper for the ETUI on how EU public procurement law can be improved. Stan De Spiegelaere, Director of Policy and Research at UNI Europa, the trade union federation of service workers, lends some further insight into how the current problems play out on the ground.  Further readingPromoting collective bargaining in public procurement | etuiCollective bargaining and public procurement in Germany | etuiProcuring Decent Work - UNI Europa

The issue of “lowballing” cost estimates for major public projects is set to be examined by the new Dáil infrastructure committee, as concerns grow over declining public trust. We discuss this further with Paul Davies, Lecturer in Public Procurement at DCU.

The issue of “lowballing” cost estimates for major public projects is set to be examined by the new Dáil infrastructure committee, as concerns grow over declining public trust. We discuss this further with Paul Davies, Lecturer in Public Procurement at DCU.

Nosipho Radebe & Ndumiso Mngomezulu are in conversation with Dr Nimrod Mbele, Corporate Governance Expert & MD at Knowledge Anchor GroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minister Jack Chambers is launching 'Guidelines for the Responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service'. Artificial Intelligence is changing how we live, work, and engage with the world around us. Governments worldwide face the challenge of meeting the digital expectations of their end-users while keeping pace with advancements in technology. These Guidelines compliment and inform strategies regarding the adoption of innovative technology and ways of working already underway in the public service, and seek to set a high standard for public service transformation and innovation, while prioritising public trust and people's rights. The Guidelines have been developed to actively empower public servants to use AI in the delivery of services. By firmly placing the human in the process, these guidelines aim to enhance public trust in how Government uses AI. A range of resources designed to support the adoption of AI have been developed, including clear information on Government's Principles for Responsible AI, a Decision Framework for evaluating the potential use of AI, a Responsible AI Canvas Tool to be used at planning stage, and the AI Lifecycle Guidance tool. Other government supports available to public service organisations also include learning and development materials and courses for public servants at no cost. In this regard, and in addition to its existing offering on AI, the Institute for Public Administration will provide a tutorial and in-person training dedicated to the AI Guidelines to further assist participants in applying the guidelines in their own workplaces. The guidelines contain examples of how AI is already being used across public services, including: St. Vincent's University Hospital exploring the potential for AI to assist with performing heart ultrasound scans, in order to help reduce waiting times for patients. The Revenue Commissioners using Large Language Models to route taxpayer queries more efficiently, ensuring faster and more accurate responses. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine developing an AI-supported solution to detect errors in grant applications and reduce processing times for applications. Minister Jack Chambers said: "AI offers immense possibilities to improve the provision of public services. These guidelines support public service bodies in undertaking responsible innovation in a way that is practical, helpful and easy to follow. "In keeping with Government's AI strategy, the guidance as well as the learning and development supports being offered by the Institute for Public Administration, will help public servants to pursue those opportunities in a way that is responsible. "AI is already transforming our world and it is crucial that we embrace that change and adapt quickly in order to deliver better policy and better public services for the people of Ireland." Minister of State for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment, Emer Higgins said: "AI holds the potential to revolutionise how we deliver services, make decisions, and respond to the needs of our people. These guidelines will support thoughtful integration of AI into our public systems, enhance efficiency, and reduce administrative burdens and financial cost. Importantly, this will be done with strong ethical and human oversight, ensuring fairness, transparency, accountability, and the protection of rights and personal data at every step." Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth said: "Government is committed to leveraging the potential of AI for unlocking productivity, addressing societal challenges, and delivering enhanced services. The guidelines launched today are part of a whole of government approach to putting in place the necessary enablers to underpin responsible and impactful AI adoption across the public service. They are an important step in meeting government's objective of better outcomes through AI adopti...

We take a look back on the stories of the week on our Friday Forum. Joining Pat this morning in studio was Emer Higgins TD, Minister of State for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment, Fine Gael, Dublin Mid West, Paul Murphy TD, People Before Profit, Dublin South West and also Jane Matthews, Political Correspondent, The Journal.

In this episode, Associate Professor Marta Andhov and Professor Willem Janssen discuss a particularly exciting topic - the upcoming reform of the EU's Public Procurement Directives. They begin by describing the reform's timeline and discussing how it is being affected by the current geopolitical setting. In their discussion, they assess the focal points of the reform, as described by reports of Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi. The speakers then provide their personal opinions, perceptions, and concerns while discussing their key takes from the two reports. These include, among others: the calls for simplification, flexibilization, and a more strategic and inward-looking approach to the European public procurement, the concerns around the enduring low competition, and the lack of focus on green and social aspects of procurement. For dessert, the speakers once again discuss academics, focusing on alternative ways of examination. They evaluate their own experiences with the less typical ways of testing to provide their opinion of how and why they should be used.

Nosipho Radebe is in conversation with Namhla Mniki, Co-Chair at Women's Economic Assembly (WECONA) and Tryphosa Ramano, Sector Lead Finco at WECONA. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hosted by Urbano Network, this event examined the likely impact of new Procurement Act on SMEs.The new act mentions SMEs only once, but the subsequent National Procurement Policy Statement and other documents have made opening up opportunities to small and micro business a central commitment of the government.To help examine how this will and could work in practice, we hear from the following expert panel:Dr Rebecca Rees, Head of Public Procurement, Trowers & HamlinsLucy Carraz, ESG Strategy & Growth Director (Europe & India) at AECOMDamon Pickard, Procurement Business Partner at Peabody Housing and part of the G15 group of London's leading housing associationsLouise Carroll, Associate Director - Procurement Advisory at Mace ConsultQuestions to the panel and also the experiences of tendering from representatives of SMEs present were facilitated by Mark Herring, Urbano Network's Connector-In-Chief and Director of Talent Lab, which specialises in communications and tendering.Urbano gratefully acknowledges the support of Trowers & Hamlins and Stewart Title in delivering this event and recording.Details of podcast recordings of Urbano events, including tendering and procurement, can be found on this channel.Details of Talent Lab/Urbano's experience around SME engagement, events, training and guides etc can be found here: https://www.urbanonetwork.co.uk/the-new-procurement-act-and-smes-words-into-actionsSupport the show

It's international women's day tomorrow and we have two pieces of good news. Ireland has been named 2nd in Europe for investment in women-led start-ups. Also a study from Trinity found that the average daily rate for female contractors is now higher than for men. So joining us to discuss their own senior jobs and positive changes such as these we have Lisa Toomey is the Hotel Manager with Ashford Castle, Emer Higgins is the minister of state at the department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform with special responsibility for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment and also Natasha Jamal from MasterCard.

To mark the launch of the Procurement Act 2023, Partner and Head of Public Procurement, Rebecca Rees speaks to Lindsay Maguire, Deputy Director for Procurement Reform Implementation at the Cabinet Office, to discuss its implications for public procurement in the UK. They explore the cultural and behavioural changes necessary for successful implementation, the benefits of increased flexibility and transparency, and the importance of the National Procurement Policy Statement. They also reflect on the future of procurement and the metrics for success in the new regime.

Dustin talks about the public procurement change agents podcast on the four year anniversary of the first episode.

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) has been recognised with a certification in Ethical Procurement from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). Emmet speaks to Minister of State for Public Procurement, Emer Higgins.

Ossian Smyth, the former Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement; Kieran O'Donnell, Minister of State for Older People & Housing; Mairéad Farrell, Sinn Féin TD for Galway West; Duncan Smith, Labour TD for Fingal East

In this episode, Frederik explores the role of public procurement in decarbonizing the healthcare sector.He talks about the need for standardized sustainability requirements and shares insights from a survey with buyers across Europe. He also delves into the progress of the pharmaceutical industry and the importance of weighted tender scoring criteria.Tune in to learn more about the importance of sustainability in healthcare procurement and the need for greater alignment between ambitions and execution.

Season 10 of The Big Bid Theory concludes with a celebration of excellence in public procurement! Host Bill Culhane welcomes Keith Glatz, a legend with 45+ years of service, to discuss ethical practices, leadership, and his recent honor as the Albert H. Hall Memorial Award recipient.We're also thrilled to celebrate Brooke Smith, City Recorder for Murray City, Utah, as the inaugural recipient of the David and Beverly Nash Leadership Award. Congratulations to Brooke and all nominees for their exceptional leadership!Producer Rick Jennings wraps up the season with another unforgettable Crazy Bids You Can Win! Do you agree there is something fishy about this Crazy Bids?Thank you for an incredible season. We'll return in 2025 with Season 11. Until then, revisit past episodes, and stay tuned for updates on the 2025 Nash Award nomination and selection process.Keith Glatz bio info.

In this episode, Associate Professor Marta Andhov and Professor Willem Janssen discuss the intersection of public procurement and contract law. The topic of the research project PurpLE (Purchase Power – Sustainable Public Procurement Through Private Law Enforcement) led by Marta. This episode provides an introduction to an upcoming series of episodes that will dive deeper into its individual aspects. The hosts provide a general overview of how public procurement contracts are perceived across the EU within its many Member States, differentiating between the two models of approach - the administrative approach present in, for example, France or Spain, and the more civil commercial one presented in the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, and across Scandinavian Countries. They outline the need to differentiate two phases; the pre-contractual and post-contractual, as legal frameworks differentiate between them. Marta & Willem briefly introduce what type of practical and relevant issues arise in each of the mentioned phases, for example, the possibility of culpa in contrahendo, the issues of interpretation, and termination to name a few. Finally, for dessert, they switch gears and talk about the instances where public procurement appeared in the entertaining world of pop culture. How the pop culture references can be used and what should be your new movie, or series to watch if you want to combine your passion for procurement with some entertainment?

Stephen Grootes speaks to Prof Geo Quinot, Professor in the Department of Public Law, Stellenbosch University and Director of the African Procurement Law Unit about a damning OECD report that exposes South Africa's public procurement system as inefficient, opaque, and vulnerable to corruption.   In other interviews on the Money Show, Natalie Scott, Head of Sustainability, Werksmans Attorneys explains the significant implications of the Dutch Court of Appeal's decision in the Shell climate change case, and what it means for climate litigation in South Africa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Grootes speaks to Prof Geo Quinot, Professor in the Department of Public Law at Stellenbosch University and Director of the African Procurement Law Unit, about a damning OECD report that exposes South Africa's public procurement system as inefficient, opaque, and vulnerable to corruption.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Marta and Willem discuss interdisciplinary work in public procurement and law in general. They reflect on their many personal experiences of working across disciplines and examine the recent push for interdisciplinary work in academia. They evaluate the positives, the negatives, and the relevance of both simple mono-disciplinary work in public procurement law, and inter-disciplinary collaborations and projects, focusing on the most common challenges and how to overcome them. In their discussion, they emphasize the importance of openness and mutual understanding in interdisciplinary collaborations. They discuss the optimal time for crossing disciplines during one's studies and finally, for dessert, they talk about their approaches to teaching the interdisciplinary aspects of public procurement to their students.

Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy and Green Party candidate Ossian Smyth and Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, Fianna Fáil candidate, join The Last Word to debate what climate actions their parties' will take if they are in the next government.Catch the full debate by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

In this episode, Marta and Willem explore the latest developments in EU Public Procurement, focusing on the new exclusion grounds introduced by sectoral legislation following the European Green Deal. They begin by outlining the framework of mandatory and voluntary exclusion grounds established under European Directive 2014/24/EU before delving into specific examples of new sectoral legislation that has expanded these grounds. Throughout the conversation, they address key questions such as: How do these new exclusion grounds align with the traditional goal of ensuring contractor reliability, and to what extent do they represent a shift towards a more punitive approach? What roles do contracting authorities and enforcement agencies play in ensuring compliance with these new measures? And do the penalties incentivize contractors to engage in self-cleaning? In the final segment, the hosts share their current personal reading recommendations and reflections.

Procurement accounts for around a third of all government expenditure – but in recent years it has been hit by a number of negative headlines. Issues with purchasing PPE in the pandemic, and more recently the Post Office scandal, have led to questions about how to hold government and suppliers to account when things go wrong. The soon to be implemented Procurement Act includes measures to improve accountability, but it is unclear how effective these will be. This event explored what the government can do to strengthen accountability. Katy Balls, Deputy Political Editor at The Spectator Daniel Bruce, Chief Executive of Transparency International UK Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government Joe Powell MP, Chair of APPG on Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax and Member of Parliament for Kensington and Bayswater This event was chaired by Emma Norris, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government. This event was in partnership with Transparency International UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This event was held at the 2024 Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. Speakers: Katy Balls, Deputy Political Editor at The Spectator Daniel Bruce, Chief Executive of Transparency International UK Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government Joe Powell MP, Chair of APPG on Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax and Member of Parliament for Kensington and Bayswater This event was chaired by Emma Norris, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government. This event was in partnership with Transparency International UK.

Bill O'Keeffe, Chair Farm Business Committee, IFA and Ossian Smyth, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy

In this episode, we explore the critical role of continuous growth and development in public procurement. We'll discuss how staying informed, investing in professional skills, and embracing new challenges can elevate both individual careers and the procurement function within an organization, helping to meet the evolving demands of the field.Website:  http://www.lourdescoss.comLive2Lead 2024 Chicago hosted by M. L. Coss and Associates, LLCL2L In Person Event in Chicago: bit.ly/3I7Gw8FL2L Virtual Experience: bit.ly/3JTaxd6Webinars: https://lourdescoss.leadingthebest.comFree Leadership Newsletter: https://lourdescoss.leadingthebest.com/JMTN0001Thank you for listening!

Mícheál Lehane, Political Correspondent, on the fallout from the E1.4 million spend on a security office at the Department of Finance. Then, we hear reaction from Dr. Paul Davis, Lecturer in Public Procurement at Dublin City University.

Enterprise Ireland and the National Cyber Security Centre today launched the Cyber Security Review Grant which will assist SMEs to take steps to review and update their online security measures to mitigate against the risk of cyber-attacks. The grant will be administered by Enterprise Ireland, in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Centre. It will provide Enterprise Ireland clients with access to cyber security experts who will conduct an initial independent review of the company's cyber security status, identify vulnerabilities, and develop a clear roadmap for the business to enhance their security measures. The Cyber Security Review Grant is being made available from €85 million in funds that have been allocated to the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment through the European Union's NextGenerationEU funding instrument for supporting the digital transformation of enterprise as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan. This funding is being channelled into: • The Digital Transition Fund for the establishment of a digital portal and to provide for direct to company supports. • Four European Digital Innovation Hubs with the aim of helping companies (notably SMEs) access research infrastructure, technical expertise and experimentation in order that these organisations can 'test before invest'. A suite of digital supports for enterprise is already available under the Digital Transition Fund through Enterprise Ireland, IDA and Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Cyber Security Review Grant launched today expands on the digital supports available from Enterprise Ireland to its clients under this Fund. Businesses that avail of the Cyber Security Review will receive consultancy from a qualified, external cyber security expert who will investigate current company practices and review the technical implementation of both on-site and cloud software. A detailed report in line with National Cyber Security Centre's best practise will then be delivered, outlining actionable steps to improve the company's cyber security position. Speaking at the launch Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Dara Calleary TD said: "Irish businesses are increasingly using AI and advanced digital tools to achieve success in international markets. Ensuring the security of the data used in these tools is a crucial foundation for this success. This new cyber security grant will ensure that Irish businesses who embrace digitalisation to strengthen and grow their business can do so with total confidence in their online security." Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Emer Higgins TD said: "Irish businesses are leading the way and setting the standard for digital transformation across all sectors. They understand the value of enhancing their digital security. I am delighted that the Cyber Security Grant will provide support with the essential first steps towards achieving international best practices in cyber security, an increasingly important factor when competing for business on a global stage." Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy Ossian Smyth TD said: "DECC's Statement of Strategy, Le Chéile 25, sets an ambitious objective to realise a vibrant and expert cyber security industry in Ireland. The collaboration of the NCSC with Enterprise Ireland to deliver this first-of-its-kind grant scheme represents a key milestone in Le Chéile 25 and in the National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024." Anne Lanigan, Divisional Manager, Technology Services, Enterprise Ireland, said: "Leveraging digital tools can significantly enhance your company's capabilities. However, it is crucial to invest in protecting sensitive information and mitigating the risk of cyber-attacks. This is especially important as recent advancements in AI have made smaller businesses more attractive targets for malicious actors. The Cyber Security Review aims to help busine...

In this episode, we explore the critical role of team engagement in public procurement. We'll discuss strategies for fostering clarity, trust, and collaboration, empowering team members, and creating a culture where your team feels connected to their work and motivated to contribute to the organization's success.Website:  http://www.lourdescoss.comLive2Lead 2024 Chicago hosted by M. L. Coss and Associates, LLCL2L In Person Event in Chicago: bit.ly/3I7Gw8FL2L Virtual Experience: bit.ly/3JTaxd6Webinars: https://lourdescoss.leadingthebest.com Free Leadership Newsletter: https://lourdescoss.leadingthebest.com/JMTN0001M L Coss and Associates, LLCCoaching, Training, Consulting - Procurement, Leadership, Communication, and Diversity & InclusionDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Thank you for listening!

In this podcast, we'll explore the importance of building trust within public procurement, focusing on strategies to strengthen trust with teams, vendors, and the public. Trust is the cornerstone of successful procurement processes, fostering transparency, accountability, and collaboration for more effective outcomes.Website:  http://www.lourdescoss.comLive2Lead 2024 Chicago hosted by M. L. Coss and Associates, LLC  -L2L In Person Event in Chicago: bit.ly/3I7Gw8F - L2L Virtual Experience: bit.ly/3JTaxd6Webinars: https://lourdescoss.leadingthebest.comFree Leadership Newsletter: https://lourdescoss.leadingthebest.com/JMTN0001Thank you for listening!

Public procurement is the system of laws and operational arrangements that allows the public sector, including the government, to purchase goods and services, with the aim to maximize social welfare and do public good. However, many African countries fail to address legal and social impediments women-owned businesses face when trying to participate in procurement activities. Host Landry Signé is joined by Professor Sope Williams to describe these barriers a Show notes and transcript Foresight Africa podcast is part of the Brookings Podcast Network. Subscribe and listen on Apple, Spotify, Afripods, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Send feedback email to podcasts@brookings.edu.

In this episode, Marta and Willem explore the resurgence and presence of buy local policies in the public procurement context. They discuss it broadly on a global scale, and then zoom in on specific buy local implementation issues when it comes to the procurement of food by public authorities. What to do with criteria and condition related to zero miles, EU geographical indicators, time of delivery or short supply chains? For dessert, they share how they overcome the initial hesitation of professionals and students when it comes to public procurement law as a field of study and expertise. Read more about it in this study: M. Andhov, M. Kania, S. Mikulic 'How to Procure Sustainable Food and Include Farmers in Public Procurement? - Legal Constraints and Opportunities' (via: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4826088) Your Title Goes Here Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings. Episode Transcript   Willem Janssen [00:00:00] Welcome to the BESTEK, the Public Procurement Podcast. Today, Marta and I are talking to Steven Schooner about sustainability and public procurement in the US and publishing in American journals.   About Bestek [00:00:17] Welcome to Bestek, the public procurement podcast. In this podcast, Dr. Willem Janssen and Dr. Marta Andhov discuss public procurement law issues, their love of food, and academic life. In each episode, Willem, Marta, and their guests search for answers to intriguing public procurement questions. This is Bestek. Let's dish up public procurement law.   Willem Janssen [00:00:41] Morning. Good afternoon everyone.   Marta Andhov [00:00:43] Hello. Hello, how are you?   Steven Schooner [00:00:46] It's great to be here. And I have to say, I applaud both of you for this enterprise. I'm really impressed with the the fact that you started this and that you've stuck with it. And my only disappointment is I'm not in Utrecht doing the recording because I really wanted to be there to experience your bicycle infrastructure. But I expect we'll get back to bicycle infrastructure, as we talked about where we're trying to get over time. So we'll come back to that.   Willem Janssen [00:01:07] But I'm sure we'll totally get back, get back to that. Uh, I have to say, so we're broadcasting live from two continents and three countries at the moment. So Marta is located in Copenhagen. Steve, you're in in Washington, DC at the law school there, and I'm at Utrecht, uh, in my attic whilst the rain is trickling down my window. So, uh, let's see where that takes us. Um, and, uh, before we get started, it is my pleasure to to introduce, uh, you, Steven Schooner. Professor. Uh, I don't think you require  much introduction to be honest.    Steven Schooner [00:01:40] I hope not.   Willem Janssen [00:01:40] But but, uh, I'll still give it a very brief - with your permission-  go with the Nash & Cibinic  Professor of government procurement law at the George Washington University. And, um, you started talking about cycling already, so I'm not too nervous to actually say that you're also a passionate cyclist. Is that correct?   Steven Schooner [00:01:59] Absolutely. And on a good day, I bike commute, but we have relatively good infrastructure here. But definitely not up there with the best in the world. But I think we're moving in the right direction.   Willem Janssen [00:02:09] I was amazed actually, because when I, when I visited your law school in 2014, I actually cycled to work every day and for for, if I may say so, for an American city, uh, it's very, very much possible to cycle to work there.

IRR claims anti-poor Public Procurement Act violates constitution and encourages corruption by Radio Islam

In this episode, Willem and Marta discuss visual contracting in the context of public procurement. Can it improve the contracting process? If so, how? They explore the potential of visual contracts and possibilities to apply it in the public sector based on Marta's forthcoming publication in PPLR. For desert, they look at their best and worst presentations to share their learnings from them.

In this episode, Willem and Marta discuss visual contracting in the context of public procurement. Can it improve the contracting process? If so, how? They explore the potential of visual contracts and possibilities to apply it in the public sector based on Marta's forthcoming publication in PPLR. For desert, they look at their best and worst presentations to share their learnings from them.

With Oissian Smyth, Green Party TD for Dun Laoghaire and Junior Minister with responsibility for Public Procurement and E Government

Could we really be saying goodbye to disposable vapes by the end of the year?Ossian Smyth, Minister of State with Responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy joined The Last Word to discuss.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

In this episode of Alternative Convos, Charles talks to Paschal Kale about his perspectives on tackling corruption in public procurement processes across Africa. Alternative Convos Podcast is a dynamic and engaging talk show that aims to foster unity and drive positive transformation in Africa. It provides a platform for passionate activists, skilled practitioners, and creative thinkers to share their insights on important issues that shape Africa's progress. This podcast is a unique space where diverse perspectives are welcomed and valued, creating a safe environment for alternative viewpoints. Hosted by Charles Kojo Vandyck, Alternative Convos Podcast is your go-to source for thought-provoking conversations that inspire change. Disclaimer: “The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the guest's own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the host. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only”. Contact: Paschal via https://www.linkedin.com/in/paz-kale-05234625/

Proposed By-Law Targeting Corruption in the COJ's Public Procurement by Radio Islam

In this episode, Vitezslav Titl and Willem discuss single bidding in the EU, based on a current debate about the lack of interest in public procurement from the side of the market. Sparked by the report by the Court of Auditors, and due to developments in many of the Member States, they discuss Vita's research on this topic and how the legal changes implemented in Czechia could inspire other Member States to increase the amount of bids. For desert, they consider what he would change in public procurement if he had a magic wand. Want to read more? Have a look at his academic work here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3954295

In this episode, Vitezslav Titl and Willem discuss single bidding in the EU, based on a current debate about the lack of interest in public procurement from the side of the market. Sparked by the report by the Court of Auditors, and due to developments in many of the Member States, they discuss Vita's research on this topic and how the legal changes implemented in Czechia could inspire other Member States to increase the amount of bids. For desert, they consider what he would change in public procurement if he had a magic wand. Want to read more? Have a look at his academic work here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3954295

National Broadband Ireland (NBI) has announced that it has now connected over 75,000 homes, farms and businesses under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) to high-speed fibre broadband. NBI and Minister Ossian Smyth will mark the milestone at Herbst Software in Wicklow which recently joined the network. NBI will also celebrate another milestone as it confirmed that it has now passed 40 per cent of the farms and businesses included in the Intervention Area. In total, NBI will connect 91,999 farms and businesses in rural Ireland to high-speed broadband with 36,972 of these now able to avail of a connection. Businesses connected by National Broadband Ireland have access to additional services and products that offer increased download and upload speeds to ensure no bottlenecks during busy periods and times of elevated usage. Standards speeds across all NBI connection types guarantee speeds of 500Mbit/s with additional products available that can deliver speeds of up to 2Gbit/s. Peter Hendrick, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland, said: "Connections to NBI's network have more than doubled in the last 12 months with over 75,000 premises now connected. "Over 232,000 premises are ready to connect by signing up with one of our 62 retail partners. We're hearing back from connected customers that access to our network is transformational, especially for businesses based in rural parts of the country like Herbst, which is already utilising its new connection to support its operations across Ireland. "NBI's network is designed to cater for all use cases from everyday streaming at home to the most data-intensive commercial operations. Our guaranteed minimum speeds are best in class and where businesses need more, we can offer more." Minister Ossian Smyth, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy, said: "The National Broadband Plan continues to see very strong demand. We are seeing that take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing substantially as it is deployed to areas where it had previously been unavailable. "Businesses and families can now access high-speed internet and join 75,000 Irish households, farms and businesses who have signed up, with the service currently available to over 232,000. The connection of businesses like Herbst Software shows that even if your business is based in a remote part of the country, you can still have access to fast and reliable broadband." Michael Herbst, Chairman of Herbst Group, said: "Gaining access to the NBI fibre network has been an important step for our business operations. For a company like ours, with offices in different parts of the country, reliable and fast internet is so important to allow our teams to work together efficiently. "High-speed broadband isn't just a connection, it's a lifeline for modern business operations in rural Ireland. It's a tool that will allow us to continue to innovate and grow into the future." See more stories here.

The Deposit Return Scheme has been in full swing for over 40 days, yet some households have not fully grasp it yet with only €1.2m worth of deposits being returned to customers. Minister of State for Public Procurement and eGovernment Ossian Smyth joined Kieran to discuss...

Dustin recaps the level of commitment made by Civic Initiatives to public procurement conferences in 2023, and also recaps all of the speech topics given at these conferences across the country.

Caroline James is an Advocacy Coordinator at The amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism and she joins John to assert that The Public Procurement bill does not adequately address the reality that the government tender system is a major contributor to tender fraud and corruption.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although political constraints have significant negative impacts on development, mainstream approaches to addressing these issues are often primarily technical and lack a willingness to understand and address political economy factors. Despite decades of technical efforts in sectors like health, education, and climate, some critical problems persist, such as drug supply losses, tree planting failures, and chronic absenteeism in health and education. Peter Evans is a governance specialist with wide-ranging experience and expertise across international development and social research. He holds a PhD in medical geography and was previously Team Leader of the Governance, Conflict, Inclusion and Humanitarian Research Team at the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). In this role, Peter designed and led the Anti-Corruption Evidence (ACE) programme. Until recently, he was director of the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre at the Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI) in Bergen. @PeterEvans_GuvPeter argues that the supply of practical political economy research is limited and often falls short of practicality and accessibility, shaped more by researchers' interests and fund availability than the needs of policymakers or practitioners. Political economy research is further hindered by its sensitivity and riskiness, making it challenging for researchers, particularly in politically unstable or corrupt environments. On the demand side, there is a lack of structured efforts to understand and address political constraints in global investments for growth and development. Politics is often relegated to a risk rather than a problem to be understood and engaged with. And many actors in the field, including national governments, bilateral agencies, and multilateral organizations, often avoid addressing political economy factors, which hinders effective development outcomes.ResourcesGambling on corruption, and making the political more practicalWhen evidence is thin... (how to think, not what to think).How I think when I talk about anti-corruption: porridge and berries, priors and biasesPeter Evans on LinkedInCorruption and political settlements (episode featuring Mushtaq Khan)The development bargain (episode featuring Stefan Dercon)Key highlightsIntroduction - 00:24Wicked problems and progress - 03:50Taking politics seriously - 08:08Tackling corruption - 20:25Why capacity building initiatives do not work - 36:20Political settlements and public procurement - 44:07Anti-corruption: What should researchers, donors, and governments focus more on - 53:52 HostProfessor Dan Banik (@danbanik  @GlobalDevPod)Apple Google Spotify YouTubeSubscribe: https://globaldevpod.substack.com/

Dustin and Cullen Gallagher, CEO of Lunch Payments, talk about why timely payments to vendors is important to public procurement, and also how Cullen has taken his personal experience in this topic as his daily work in the mission of the Lunch Payments platform.

Digitalisation in procurement comes with a variety of opportunities, but also challenges. Can digital resources such as artificial intelligence, e-procurement and data systems improve the ways governments obtain services and goods? This podcast is the third and final episode of a series in collaboration with the MAPS Initiative, Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems. Edwin Lau, OECD, Head of Division of Infrastructure and Public Procurement and Hunt La Cascia, Senior Public Sector Specialist at the World Bank, speak with us to help us understand the world of procurement digitalisation. Guests: Edwin Lau, OECD, Head of Division of Infrastructure and Public Procurement and Hunt La Cascia, Senior Public Sector Specialist at the World Bank Host: Robin Allison Davis Producer: Samia Basille

In 2015, the United Nations released the Sustainable Development Goals to help create a more sustainable and equitable world. The 17 goals included procurement systems, calling governments to procure in a more sustainable manner. But how does this actually work? How can governments include sustainability in their procurement systems? And can sustainable public procurement help mitigate the climate crisis? Steven Schooner, Professor of Government Procurement Law at George Washington University, helps us to answer these questions and more on this podcast. This is the second episode in the series with MAPS. Guest: Steven Schooner, Professor of Government Procurement Law at George Washington University Host: Robin Allison Davis Producer: Samia Basille To learn more about the MAPS Initiative, go to MAPSinitiative.org.