Shows
Small Islands Big PictureNavigating geopolitical upheaval: what does Trumpism 2.0 mean for SIDS?President Trump’s return to the White House in 2025 signals an upheaval in global politics. ODI hosts, Emily and Matt, ask what this means for small island developing states, and how they might navigate these increasingly choppy waters. Guests:William WaqavakatogaProfessor Joanne WallisProfessor Jack CorbettProfessor W. Andy KnightProfessor Xiaotong ZhangAli Naseer Mohamed, Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations Resources:Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI)Sustaining Development in Small Islands: Climate Change, Geopolitical Security and the Permissive Liberal OrderGeopolitical competition, bilateral aid, and the collective interests of S...2025-03-2755 minSmall Islands Big PictureNavigating geopolitical upheaval: what does Trumpism 2.0 mean for SIDS?President Trump’s return to the White House in 2025 signals an upheaval in global politics. ODI hosts, Emily and Matt, ask what this means for small island developing states, and how they might navigate these increasingly choppy waters. Guests:William WaqavakatogaProfessor Joanne WallisProfessor Jack CorbettProfessor W. Andy KnightProfessor Xiaotong ZhangAli Naseer Mohamed, Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations Resources:Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI)Sustaining Development in Small Islands: Climate Change, Geopolitical Security and the Permissive Liberal OrderGeopolitical competition, bilateral aid, and the collective interests of S...2025-03-2755 minSmall Islands Big PictureSmelly seaweed: could Sargassum fuel the future?In recent years, many Caribbean countries have experienced a staggering influx of sargassum, a type of nuisance seaweed emanating from the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean. Beyond just its potent smell, sargassum seaweed is wreaking havoc on coastal ecosystems, fisheries and tourism infrastructure. In this episode, Emily and Matt ask where it has come from, why it has become such a problem and what this means for climate change. They also discuss exciting new technologies from small island nations which, in a bid for a more sustainable future, could see sargassum recycled and redeployed across the globe. Featu...2025-03-1050 minSmall Islands Big PictureSmelly seaweed: could Sargassum fuel the future?In recent years, many Caribbean countries have experienced a staggering influx of sargassum, a type of nuisance seaweed emanating from the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean. Beyond just its potent smell, sargassum seaweed is wreaking havoc on coastal ecosystems, fisheries and tourism infrastructure. In this episode, Emily and Matt ask where it has come from, why it has become such a problem and what this means for climate change. They also discuss exciting new technologies from small island nations which, in a bid for a more sustainable future, could see sargassum recycled and redeployed across the globe. Featu...2025-03-1050 minSmall Islands Big PictureCould a meaningful conversation on reparations support greater climate justice?Intellectuals and activists have long demanded reparations for the horrors of slavery and other colonial abuses. For Small Island Developing States, these demands appear particularly urgent as intensifying climate-related shocks compound existing injustices. In this episode, Emily and Matt ask whether questions of repair and recompense can no longer be avoided by powerful actors. If so, what could such a dialogue look like, how might it shape political and policy agendas, and can it be harnessed to support greater climate justice? We hear from Gabrielle Hemmings, a Jamaican reparations activist in “Island Voices”. We then move o...2025-01-1649 minSmall Islands Big PictureCould a meaningful conversation on reparations support greater climate justice?Intellectuals and activists have long demanded reparations for the horrors of slavery and other colonial abuses. For Small Island Developing States, these demands appear particularly urgent as intensifying climate-related shocks compound existing injustices. In this episode, Emily and Matt ask whether questions of repair and recompense can no longer be avoided by powerful actors. If so, what could such a dialogue look like, how might it shape political and policy agendas, and can it be harnessed to support greater climate justice? We hear from Gabrielle Hemmings, a Jamaican reparations activist in “Island Voices”. We then move o...2025-01-1649 minSmall Islands Big PictureHow might the Bridgetown Initiative reshape the global financial architecture?In this episode, Emily and Matt try to find out why it has blazed such a successful trail, what reforms might ultimately result from it, and where SIDS fit into the process. Featuring:Emily Wilkinson (host) | RESI Director and Principal Research Fellow at ODI GlobalMatthew Bishop (host) | RESI Director and Senior Lecturer at the University of SheffieldAlicia Nicholls | Trade Policy Expert from BarbadosMichael Jacobs | Professor of Political Economy, University of Sheffield, and Visiting Senior Fellow, ODI GlobalPep Bardouille | Director of the Bridgetown Initiative and Special Adviser on Climate Resilience, Barbados Prime Minister's Office2024-11-1541 minSmall Islands Big PictureHow might the Bridgetown Initiative reshape the global financial architecture?In this episode, Emily and Matt try to find out why it has blazed such a successful trail, what reforms might ultimately result from it, and where SIDS fit into the process. Featuring:Emily Wilkinson (host) | RESI Director and Principal Research Fellow at ODI GlobalMatthew Bishop (host) | RESI Director and Senior Lecturer at the University of SheffieldAlicia Nicholls | Trade Policy Expert from BarbadosMichael Jacobs | Professor of Political Economy, University of Sheffield, and Visiting Senior Fellow, ODI GlobalPep Bardouille | Director of the Bridgetown Initiative and Special Adviser on Climate Resilience, Barbados Prime Minister's Office2024-11-1541 min
Small Islands Big PictureUncharted waters: where do SIDS fit into the recent explosion in climate litigation?Since the Paris Agreement of 2015, legal action around climate change has grown. This takes many forms, from community groups and public bodies suing oil companies, to international litigation by states within multilateral courts. The most prominent initiative is the pursuit of an “Advisory Opinion” at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the “Obligations of States in respect of climate change” pursued tenaciously by a very small state, Vanuatu. In this episode, Emily and Matt make sense of this phenomenon by asking who is leading these initiatives, why they are gathering steam, and which hold out the greatest promise of succe...2024-11-0751 minSmall Islands Big PictureUncharted waters: where do SIDS fit into the recent explosion in climate litigation?Since the Paris Agreement of 2015, legal action around climate change has grown. This takes many forms, from community groups and public bodies suing oil companies, to international litigation by states within multilateral courts. The most prominent initiative is the pursuit of an “Advisory Opinion” at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the “Obligations of States in respect of climate change” pursued tenaciously by a very small state, Vanuatu. In this episode, Emily and Matt make sense of this phenomenon by asking who is leading these initiatives, why they are gathering steam, and which hold out the greatest promise of succe...2024-11-0751 minSmall Islands Big PictureWhat happened at SIDS4 in Antigua and Barbuda?In May 2024, the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) took place in Antigua, where leaders agreed the next ten-year roadmap for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the “Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS: A Renewed Agenda for Resilient Prosperity (ABAS)”.In this episode, Emily and Matt review the conference, bringing to life the event’s atmosphere, discussing key highlights, and – crucially – asking “What now needs to happen for the ABAS to be successful over the next decade?”.In “Island Voices”, Naya Sena provides a civil society perspective on SIDS4. In the “Explainer”, Mar...2024-07-3049 minSmall Islands Big PictureWhat happened at SIDS4 in Antigua and Barbuda?In May 2024, the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) took place in Antigua, where leaders agreed the next ten-year roadmap for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the “Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS: A Renewed Agenda for Resilient Prosperity (ABAS)”.In this episode, Emily and Matt review the conference, bringing to life the event’s atmosphere, discussing key highlights, and – crucially – asking “What now needs to happen for the ABAS to be successful over the next decade?”.In “Island Voices”, Naya Sena provides a civil society perspective on SIDS4. In the “Explainer”, Mar...2024-07-3049 minSmall Islands Big PictureDemystifying the Blue Economy: should we call Small Island Developing States “Big Ocean States” instead?In recent years, the notion of the “Blue Economy” has gained traction in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) policy debates. Focusing on the often-enormous marine spaces encompassed in SIDS’ exclusive economic zones (EEZs) – rather than their diminutive terrestrial landmasses – implies SIDS are really “large ocean states” rather than “small island states”. For proponents, the “Blue Economy” represents an entirely new way of thinking that offers a host of novel economic opportunities. For critics, it is little more than a buzzword that potentially “bluewashes” familiar forms of resource enclosure and extraction. In this episode of "Small Islands Big Picture", Emily...2024-06-2739 minSmall Islands Big PictureDemystifying the Blue Economy: should we call Small Island Developing States “Big Ocean States” instead?In recent years, the notion of the “Blue Economy” has gained traction in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) policy debates. Focusing on the often-enormous marine spaces encompassed in SIDS’ exclusive economic zones (EEZs) – rather than their diminutive terrestrial landmasses – implies SIDS are really “large ocean states” rather than “small island states”. For proponents, the “Blue Economy” represents an entirely new way of thinking that offers a host of novel economic opportunities. For critics, it is little more than a buzzword that potentially “bluewashes” familiar forms of resource enclosure and extraction. In this episode of "Small Islands Big Picture", Emily...2024-06-2739 min
ODI | Think ChangeIs SIDS4 a turning point for small island nations?Small island developing states (SIDS) suffer disproportionately from external shocks. They face an existential threat from the climate emergency, while global economic uncertainty and geopolitical shifts have derailed recent progress that SIDS have made towards achieving growth and resilience.That’s why governments of SIDS and their international partners met in Antigua and Barbuda a fortnight ago for the SIDS4 conference, which aimed to formulate a 10-year action plan intended to chart ‘the course toward resilient prosperity’ for small island nations.In this episode, guests review this seminal conference, setting it in context of the unique...2024-06-1030 minSmall Islands Big PictureWhy are so many small states turning to Citizenship by Investment (CBI) schemes?Citizenship is traditionally granted by right – on the basis of birthplace or parentage – or acquired through naturalisation – on the basis of sustained residency and allegiance to the state. Yet, many small countries are increasingly “selling sovereignty” through Citizenship by Investment (CBI) or Residence by Investment (RBI) schemes. These “golden passports” and “golden visas” generate sizeable revenues for many small island developing states (SIDS), but they have also come under scrutiny from powerful states and international organisations, especially the European Union.In this episode of Small Islands Big Picture, Emily and Matt explore the proliferation of these schemes, asking, ‘...2024-05-1037 minSmall Islands Big PictureWhy are so many small states turning to Citizenship by Investment (CBI) schemes?Citizenship is traditionally granted by right – on the basis of birthplace or parentage – or acquired through naturalisation – on the basis of sustained residency and allegiance to the state. Yet, many small countries are increasingly “selling sovereignty” through Citizenship by Investment (CBI) or Residence by Investment (RBI) schemes. These “golden passports” and “golden visas” generate sizeable revenues for many small island developing states (SIDS), but they have also come under scrutiny from powerful states and international organisations, especially the European Union.In this episode of Small Islands Big Picture, Emily and Matt explore the proliferation of these schemes, asking, ‘...2024-05-1037 minSmall Islands Big PictureAre changes in global shipping generating better connectivity for Small Island Developing States??Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are, by definition, highly dependent on shipping and other forms of connectivity. As geographically small land masses, SIDS have a high propensity to import things, and as islands, all imports, exports and travel must be done by sea (or air). However, SIDS are at the mercy of the global shipping industry, over which they have little control – an industry prone to shocks, spikes in prices and rapid technological change. In this episode of "Small Islands, Big Picture", Emily and Matt discuss: why SIDS are so dependent on shipping; how these sma...2024-04-0936 minSmall Islands Big PictureAre changes in global shipping generating better connectivity for Small Island Developing States??Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are, by definition, highly dependent on shipping and other forms of connectivity. As geographically small land masses, SIDS have a high propensity to import things, and as islands, all imports, exports and travel must be done by sea (or air). However, SIDS are at the mercy of the global shipping industry, over which they have little control – an industry prone to shocks, spikes in prices and rapid technological change. In this episode of "Small Islands, Big Picture", Emily and Matt discuss: why SIDS are so dependent on shipping; how these sma...2024-04-0936 minSmall Islands Big PictureWill the Fourth UN International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) generate ‘resilient prosperity’?Each decade since the mid-1990s, the United Nations has convened a high-level international summit – bringing together small-island governments, large-state donor partners, international organisations and representatives from civil society – to agree the next ten-year agenda for Small Island Developing States’ (SIDS) development diplomacy. The fourth of these conferences (SIDS4) will take place in Antigua-Barbuda in May 2024, under the theme ‘Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity’.SIDS4 is the most important of these decennial conferences so far, taking place at a critical juncture in the global context and at an especially challenging time for small island states. Consequent...2024-02-2941 minSmall Islands Big PictureWill the Fourth UN International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) generate ‘resilient prosperity’?Each decade since the mid-1990s, the United Nations has convened a high-level international summit – bringing together small-island governments, large-state donor partners, international organisations and representatives from civil society – to agree the next ten-year agenda for Small Island Developing States’ (SIDS) development diplomacy. The fourth of these conferences (SIDS4) will take place in Antigua-Barbuda in May 2024, under the theme ‘Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity’.SIDS4 is the most important of these decennial conferences so far, taking place at a critical juncture in the global context and at an especially challenging time for small island states. Consequent...2024-02-2941 minSmall Islands Big PictureWho is responsible for high debt burdens in SIDS?This episode of "Small Islands, Big Picture" explores debt in SIDS – a critical challenge with no easy solutions. Emily and Matt explain why many island states have built up such large debt burdens in the first place, how this impacts SIDS in different ways, and why it is so difficult to reduce. They discuss what can be done to augment SIDS’ ‘fiscal space’, whose responsibility it is to help them achieve this, and how new financial mechanisms might help.In “Island Voices”, Rachid Bouhia talks about how better international support is critical for alleviating debt. In the “Explain...2024-01-0243 minSmall Islands Big PictureWho is responsible for high debt burdens in SIDS?This episode of "Small Islands, Big Picture" explores debt in SIDS – a critical challenge with no easy solutions. Emily and Matt explain why many island states have built up such large debt burdens in the first place, how this impacts SIDS in different ways, and why it is so difficult to reduce. They discuss what can be done to augment SIDS’ ‘fiscal space’, whose responsibility it is to help them achieve this, and how new financial mechanisms might help.In “Island Voices”, Rachid Bouhia talks about how better international support is critical for alleviating debt. In the “Explain...2024-01-0243 minSmall Islands Big PictureCan we find solutions to climate change-induced sea-level rise?This episode of "Small Islands Big Picture" Emily and Matt discuss the problem of sea-level rise, the challenges it poses to sustainable development – especially for low-lying island nations – and what might be done about it. Ian Fry explains why sea-level rise is such a multifaceted problem. In "Island Voices", Dr Michelle Scobie talks about the critical role of environmental governance. In “The Big Picture”, Dr Tammy Tabe and Professor Jon Barnett talk us through why conventional responses to sea-level rise – such as resettling people – often ignore the desires and adaptation plans of island communities. In "No Stupid Questio...2023-10-2841 minSmall Islands Big PictureCan we find solutions to climate change-induced sea-level rise?This episode of "Small Islands Big Picture" Emily and Matt discuss the problem of sea-level rise, the challenges it poses to sustainable development – especially for low-lying island nations – and what might be done about it. Ian Fry explains why sea-level rise is such a multifaceted problem. In "Island Voices", Dr Michelle Scobie talks about the critical role of environmental governance. In “The Big Picture”, Dr Tammy Tabe and Professor Jon Barnett talk us through why conventional responses to sea-level rise – such as resettling people – often ignore the desires and adaptation plans of island communities. In "No Stupid Questio...2023-10-2841 minSmall Islands Big PictureWhat are the distinctive challenges faced by small non-sovereign islands?In this episode, Emily and Matt discuss a special group of small islands: non-independent territories or "sub-national island jurisdictions" (SNIJs). They explain the great diversity that exists amongst these non-sovereign islands in terms of levels of development and depth of integration with metropolitan powers like Britain, France, the Netherlands and the United States. Professor Jack Corbett, RESI Co-Director and Head of the School of Social Sciences at Monash University in Australia, talks about the trade-offs and tensions that typify life as a SNIJ.In "Island Voices", we hear from Dr Genève Phillip, Interim Provost and Vice-President of...2023-09-0639 minSmall Islands Big PictureWhat are the distinctive challenges faced by small non-sovereign islands?In this episode, Emily and Matt discuss a special group of small islands: non-independent territories or "sub-national island jurisdictions" (SNIJs). They explain the great diversity that exists amongst these non-sovereign islands in terms of levels of development and depth of integration with metropolitan powers like Britain, France, the Netherlands and the United States. Professor Jack Corbett, RESI Co-Director and Head of the School of Social Sciences at Monash University in Australia, talks about the trade-offs and tensions that typify life as a SNIJ.In "Island Voices", we hear from Dr Genève Phillip, Interim Provost and Vice-President of...2023-09-0639 minSmall Islands Big PictureHow can the UN Multidimensional Vulnerability Index help small island states?In this episode of "Small Islands, Big Picture", Emily and Matthew look at the United Nation's new Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), how it relates to age-old debates about small-state vulnerability, and why it could lead to a long-overdue shift in the allocation of international aid. In "Island Voices", Theresa Meki speaks about the meaning of vulnerability and George Carter highlights different aspects of SIDS' vulnerability that need to be considered. In "The Big Picture", Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr Pa'olelei Luteru reports on how work on the MVI is proceeding. In "No Stupid Questions", Emily and Matt answer "Does thinking of...2023-08-0739 minSmall Islands Big PictureHow can the UN Multidimensional Vulnerability Index help small island states?In this episode of "Small Islands, Big Picture", Emily and Matthew look at the United Nation's new Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), how it relates to age-old debates about small-state vulnerability, and why it could lead to a long-overdue shift in the allocation of international aid. In "Island Voices", Theresa Meki speaks about the meaning of vulnerability and George Carter highlights different aspects of SIDS' vulnerability that need to be considered. In "The Big Picture", Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr Pa'olelei Luteru reports on how work on the MVI is proceeding. In "No Stupid Questions", Emily and Matt answer "Does thinking of...2023-08-0739 minSmall Islands Big PictureWhy do small islands matter?“Small Islands, Big Picture” is a new podcast from The Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI) and ODI which will shine a spotlight on the unique challenges and remarkable resilience of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) around the world. Hosts and RESI directors Dr Emily Wilkinson and Dr Matthew Bishop will be joined by expert guests from the Caribbean, Pacific and beyond to discuss the political, economic, social and environmental issues facing SIDS today.In this first episode, Emily and Matt explain the ways in which SIDS are some of the most distinctive societies on earth – and why a pod...2023-07-1331 minSmall Islands Big PictureWhy do small islands matter?“Small Islands, Big Picture” is a new podcast from The Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI) and ODI which will shine a spotlight on the unique challenges and remarkable resilience of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) around the world. Hosts and RESI directors Dr Emily Wilkinson and Dr Matthew Bishop will be joined by expert guests from the Caribbean, Pacific and beyond to discuss the political, economic, social and environmental issues facing SIDS today.In this first episode, Emily and Matt explain the ways in which SIDS are some of the most distinctive societies on earth – and why a pod...2023-07-1331 min