Shows
ODI | Think ChangeHow can high capital costs in low- and middle-income countries be brought down?The soaring cost of capital for many low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa, is one of the most urgent and overlooked development challenges.High borrowing costs are hindering vital investments in energy, infrastructure, food security and public services – threatening development progress and deepening global inequality.But this decisive year for Africa could present opportunities for reform. South Africa is hosting the G20 Presidency – a first for an African country – whilst the next African Development Fund replenishment is due in November.In this critical moment, guests examine what it would take to make develo...
2025-08-2834 minODI | Think ChangeCan PEPFAR and global health adapt to a changing world?Despite fractured politics in the US (and elsewhere) around foreign aid, Congress recently reauthorised plans to fund PEPFAR – the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief – even though the programme itself has not been formally reauthorised.Since being established in 2003, PEPFAR funding for prevention, care and treatment programmes is estimated to have saved over 26 million lives. It's one of the most successful global health initiatives, and against all odds it remains a symbol of bipartisan cooperation.But this moment raises bigger questions about what comes next. How sustainable is a model that depends so heavil...
2025-08-1433 minODI | Think ChangeCorporate humanitarianism? Gaza, Sudan and beyondThe humanitarian system and its principles are being destroyed. Over 1,000 people have been killed seeking aid in the past weeks in Gaza, caught between famine and bullets. With humanitarian actors systematically prevented from reaching people affected by crisis in many contexts, governments are turning to the private sector – security firms, consultants, and ex-military operatives.From Gaza to Sudan to Myanmar, this shift raises urgent questions. Is a privatised model of humanitarianism going to become dominant? What would it mean for humanitarian operations and principles? And how can it be proactively addressed?This episode examines what’s dr...
2025-07-3131 minODI | Think ChangeAre development finance institutions the new market makers?This episode examines a challenge at the heart of development finance. Much energy is focused on mobilising more capital in low-income countries and emerging economies, but funding alone isn't enough. A deeper issue persists: there simply aren’t enough bankable projects – ventures that are ready to absorb investments at scale.Traditionally, development finance has been demand-led – waiting for the right opportunities to emerge. But this model is evolving. Some development institutions (DFIs) are now looking to actively help create the very markets we want to invest in.Our recent report explores this shift, highli...
2025-07-1732 minODI | Think ChangeHow are the aid cuts impacting climate action?Climate impacts are continuing to intensify. More severe storms, droughts, floods and heatwaves are inflicting devastation on the most vulnerable communities – those who also bear the least responsibility for the climate crisis.But as the need for climate action becomes ever more urgent, international aid is retreating. USAID has been dismantled, whilst wealthy countries across Europe have slashed their aid budgets.This episode asks what the aid cuts mean for the most climate-vulnerable countries. With fiscal space tightening and multilateralism on the decline, guests discuss how governments and international organisations can incentivise more private sector in...
2025-06-1930 minODI | Think ChangeWhat's Europe's role in a divided world?At a time of major geopolitical turbulence, Europe finds itself at a crossroads. Long regarded as a pillar of stability and multilateralism, the continent's role in today's increasingly divided world is being tested in numerous ways – as are its key institutions.There is a new fragility to Europe's external relationships – underscored by Trump's threats to impose tariffs on EU imports, and by disagreements on security guarantees for Ukraine.This episode dissects Europe's changing role and influence in the world today. Experts explore how European nations can come together to face external threats effectively, and identify some...
2025-06-0536 minODI | Think ChangeSyria after Assad – will Syrians lead the transition?Since 2011, Syria has been ravaged by conflict, foreign interventions and political fragmentation – leaving millions displaced and communities in crisis.But amidst the devastation, a new conversation is taking shape.Just months after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, a new interim government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa has formed. A recent poll shows 70% of Syrians feel hopeful, but that hope is colliding with hard realities.More than 1,300 people – many believed to be civilians – have been killed in Syria’s worst violence since the fall of the Assad regime, as clashes erupt between forces loyal to t...
2025-05-2234 minODI | Think ChangeThe critical minerals race – who will benefit?Minerals like lithium, cobalt and rare earth are not just commodities. They are strategic assets which are shaping global power and the future of the energy transition.As US-China trade tensions escalate, countries across Africa (and elsewhere) where these minerals are found are now renegotiating their role in an increasingly fragmented global economy.This episode asks how Africa’s mineral wealth can truly benefit its people and future generations. Guests discuss the challenges countries face in adding value domestically, and whether there’s an opportunity to push for a more equitable, sustainable governance of the mine...
2025-05-0837 minODI | Think ChangeHow can development financing be reformed? The road to SevilleWith economic uncertainty, rising debt burdens, and a growing share of the world’s poorest people living in fragile contexts, the stakes for the upcoming 4th Financing for Development Conference (FfD4) in Seville have never been higher.According to a recent OECD report, the gap between development financing needs and available resources could reach $6.4 trillion by 2030 if the global financing system isn’t significantly overhauled.The conference in June present a pivotal opportunity to ignite reform. It's a vital forum where UN members, international institutions, businesses, and civil society come together at the highest level to r...
2025-04-2433 minODI | Think ChangeAre Southern-led MDBs the future of development finance?Development finance is no longer just about aid. It’s about power, priorities, and who gets to decide.For decades, institutions like the World Bank and IMF have set the agenda, with high-income countries holding the reins. But a shift is underway. Southern-led multilateral development banks (MDBs) – where borrowing nations are also the majority shareholders – are rewriting the rules.These banks, like CAF (Development Bank of Latin America) and the Trade and Development Bank (TDB) Group, bring something different to the table: speed, flexibility, and a laser focus on local needs. But they also face hurdle...
2025-04-1035 min
This Is Not A Drill with Gavin EslerCruel World – What happens when the West walks away?Trump is dismantling USAID, pulling the rug on vital humanitarian aid and development funding, and countries across the West have followed suit in slashing foreign aid budgets. To discuss the grim ramifications of Western governments turning their back on overseas aid, and what the world can do in response, Emma Beals talks to President of Refugees International Jeremy Konyndyk, and Sara Pantuliano, Chief Executive at ODI Global.• This episode of This Is Not A Drill is supported by Incogni, the service that keeps your private information safe, protects you fro...
2025-04-0340 minODI | Think ChangeCan regional alliances save global trade?Trade policies are more than economic levers. Today they are instruments of influence, competition and – at times – conflict. We have seen how Trump’s recent tariff hikes on Mexico, Canada and China have heightened geopolitical tensions.The global trade system is also undergoing a deeper transformation. Countries are diversifying supply chains and rethinking alliances. Regional trade agreements are gaining momentum. Take the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is vital for strengthening Africa’s resilience. This episode takes stock of this changing global trade landscape. What direction is it heading? Are we on the bri...
2025-03-2734 minODI | Think ChangeCan multilateralism be saved?As the world shifts toward a more regionally driven order, where power and security are dictated by strength rather than law, multilateralism faces an existential crisis.This has been made strikingly clear by recent events in the US. Oscillating between retreat and selective engagement, the US now sees global cooperation in transactional terms – as a business not a shared responsibility.This shift has created uncertainty and left a vacuum. From Africa to Asia, nations are adapting. Some are welcoming a less interventionist US, others are seizing opportunities in a lawless landscape.This episode ex...
2025-03-1333 min
The HornThe Aid System is Collapsing. Now What?In this episode of The Horn, Alan is joined by Sara Pantuliano, Chief Executive Officer of ODI Global, to discuss the Trump administration’s sudden halting of most foreign aid amid a trend of broader cuts to foreign aid by Western governments. They examine whether the abrupt funding freeze for USAID is collapsing aid operations on the ground, and why that matters. They also talk about why other Western donor countries are reducing aid budgets as well. They further discuss longstanding critiques of the aid industry, including from recipient countries, and why the system proved resistant to such reforms. Th...
2025-03-0526 minODI | Think ChangeWhat are the costs and impacts of shutting down USAID?For decades, US foreign aid has played a vital role in humanitarian assistance, development and global security.But last month, the US government – the world’s biggest aid donor – announced a sudden 90-day freeze on foreign aid. This will have a devastating impact on communities globally who depend on it to survive. It has triggered widespread uncertainty across the global development sector.In the days following the decision, the harm was already visible. Reports show that antiretroviral drugs for HIV patients ran out, landmine clearance efforts stopped, and critical humanitarian operations were left in limbo.A...
2025-02-1336 minODI | Think ChangeHow can we fix a system that fuels rampant inequality?Nearly a decade ago, nations worldwide committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the first goal focused on ending poverty in all its forms by 2030. Whilst some progress has been made, we remain well off track to reach this ambitious target. Poverty reduction has stalled, whilst a new report by Oxfam – launched during the recent World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos – highlights how rising inequality is being driven by today’s colonial economic system. It finds billionaire wealth rose three times faster in 2024 than in 2023, and most of this is taken – not earned. What’s dri...
2025-01-3031 minODI | Think ChangeInvesting in frontier economies – what can public-private collaboration achieve?The term ‘fragility’ is used to describe various complex challenges including protracted conflicts, weak state capacity, and vulnerability to climate-related shocks.Development progress has been the hardest in these contexts. But the landscape is changing, with new development players emerging – notably in the private sector. Private capital is reaching frontier economies (those in low- and middle-income countries impacted by so-called fragility), fuelled by an impact investing market of more than $1 trillion.Ahead of next week’s World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, this episode examines who is shaping this new vision of development in frontier...
2025-01-1633 minODI | Think ChangeWhat's fast fashion's impact on local economies?Fast fashion has transformed how we consume clothing. A staggering 11.3 million tonnes of textile waste ends up in US landfills alone every year. This global fashion waste crisis has far-reaching consequences for the environment, economy and local communities. Sites which often appear like dumping grounds for unused goods can transform themselves into major sources of creativity and livelihoods. One such place is Kantamanto market in Ghana, a vibrant community and trading hub where waste is reimagined into beautiful, sustainable fashion. But Kantamanto is also a site of environmental hazards. On 2 January 2025, shortly after recording this ep...
2025-01-0234 minODI | Think ChangeWhat trends will shape 2025?2024 was a year of significant transitions – characterised by rapid technological progress, shifting geopolitical landscapes, and ongoing crises and conflicts. In this final episode of the year, we reflect on its defining moments and look ahead to the key trends likely to shape 2025.As the world becomes increasingly multipolar, the shift towards a more balanced global power structure brings both new perspectives and opportunities for collaboration. But this transition also presents challenges, with competing interests potentially impeding global cooperation. The redistribution of power may also deepen economic inequality and instability, and shift priorities in unexpected ways.In...
2024-12-1936 minODI | Think ChangeSudan war – what's the untold story?Since April last year, Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal civil war which has claimed over 150,000 lives, displaced over 11 million people and created acute food insecurity.It is arguably the world's most devastating conflict. So why, over 600 days on, is Sudan still not getting the media and international attention it needs? And what can be done to spur more recognition and action for the people of Sudan, at a time when other crises like those in Gaza and Ukraine dominate the headlines?Journalists from Al Jazeera and the BBC join us to give their...
2024-12-1043 minODI | Think ChangeWhat role should donors play in a post-aid world?Our new Donors in a Post-Aid World (DPAW) dialogue series provides an informal space for reimagining the functions of Northern bilateral donors in an evolving global landscape. Last month, our first dialogue focused on creating a new narrative for Northern ‘donorship,’ identifying opportunities for a refreshed approach to development cooperation.This episode discusses key takeaways from the first dialogue. Guests examine the challenges Northern donor institutions face in a post-aid world, and how they might redefine their roles for the future.Why does this matter? Today, Official Development Assistance (ODA) is expected to address a grow...
2024-11-2637 minODI | Think ChangeTrump 2.0 – geopolitical reboot or national reroute?The world is experiencing significant shifts, and the recent US election stands as one of the most influential. This could introduce a new level of unpredictability to global politics, economic relations and social dynamics worldwide.Donald Trump’s decisive victory has surprised many, and his re-election raises several important questions about how it will impact on global dynamics. A continued focus on "America First" could strain international alliances and fragment global cooperation, if US interests overshadow multilateral agreements.As Trump prepares to take office for the second time, he may also adopt a more assertive ap...
2024-11-1232 minODI | Think ChangeIs social media’s hate problem beyond repair?In the wake of our decision at ODI to suspend all activity on X (formerly Twitter), this episode examines the polarisation and hate so prevalent in today’s social media landscape and what is driving it.Since Elon Musk took ownership of X two years ago there has been a rise of hate speech, mis- and disinformation on the platform. The UK riots, which we dissected in a recent episode, are a case in point. This worrying trend – alongside the commercialisation of its validation functions – led many politicians and organisations to stop using X.But are we...
2024-10-2929 min
Radio Alfa PodcastSara Pantuliano (27.10.2024)Operatrice umanitaria, mediatrice per la costruzione della pace all’interno delle Nazioni Unite. Sono i delicati e importanti compiti di cui si occupa Sara Pantuliano, originaria di Salerno, a Londra da circa 30 anni, sposata e madre di due ragazzi. Proprio a Londra, a Buckingham Palace, pochi giorni fa ha ricevuto la solenne investitura di Compagna dell’Ordine di San Michele e San Giorgio nella New Year Honours List del Re Carlo III. È un riconoscimento per i servizi resi alla costruzione della pace, all'assistenza umanitaria e allo sviluppo internazionale. È stata recentemente nominata Persona Eminente Indipendente per la Revisione dell'Architettura per la Costru...
2024-10-2806 minODI | Think ChangeCan taxation reduce inequality?Income inequality is high or worsening within many countries globally. This not only raises serious moral concerns. It also contributes to political instability and undermines inclusive economic growth.Governments can use taxation to reduce inequality. They do this by taxing people fairly and spending a share of the revenue on social safety nets for the poor, sick, unemployed or those most impacted by negative shocks, such as Covid-19 the climate emergency, and by investing in human capital through education and health. But many lower income countries cannot afford comprehensive social safety nets. Their options are l...
2024-10-1529 minODI | Think ChangeThe Summit of the Future: How can we build peaceful societies in a fragmented world?As conflicts continue to spiral in many parts of the world, from those who dominate the headlines daily to the ones that we barely hear about, global instability is increasing in the context of rising food insecurity, forced displacement, and climate change. We need to step up our collective commitment to building peaceful societies. In September 2024, the United Nations hosted the Summit of the Future, bringing together world leaders to create a new international consensus on how to address global challenges and create a better future, with the aim to settle conflicts peacefully and expand youth participation i...
2024-10-0132 minODI | Think ChangeRiots, race and misinformation – has alarmist rhetoric on migration gone too far?The fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport by 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana back in July ignited riots which have swept across the UK and made global headlines.What followed from the tragedy was a racist, Islamophobic and anti-migrant campaign fuelled by misinformation and disinformation, which spilled into the streets with targeted attacks on mosques and ethnic minorities.This senseless violence again cast a spotlight on systemic issues of racism and inequality, and highlighted the potentially deadly consequences of our collective failure to tackle false information online, as well as the demonisation of migrants.
2024-09-1735 minODI | Think ChangeNavigating today’s crises – what makes a great leader?This episode examines the challenges leaders at the forefront of tackling today’s multiple crises are facing, and the leadership skills and approaches desperately needed to navigate these uncertain times.We are teaming up with Tandem for this episode – ODI's Global Executive Leadership Programme. Tandem is building a community of humanitarian and development leaders around the world, equipping them with the skills and connections to address today’s most pressing global challenges and build a brighter future for all.Fresh from graduating from the Tandem programme, two inspirational leaders join our host Sara Pantuliano to reflec...
2024-09-0327 minODI | Think ChangeThe rules of war are changing – how can humanitarians be better protected?To mark World Humanitarian Day, this episode examines how the rules of war have changed in our increasingly polarised world and asks how we can better protect the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance.World Humanitarian Day recognises and raises awareness of the courageous work of humanitarians around the world. It was established by the UN to commemorate the anniversary of a bomb attack on UN headquarters in Baghdad on 19 August 2003, which killed 22 humanitarian workers including the UN’s chief humanitarian in Iraq Sergio Vieira de Mello.Last year was the deadliest on record for humanitarian wo...
2024-08-1925 minODI | Think ChangeThink Change Rewind – what does poverty really mean today?We are taking a break from our regular schedule this month to look back on some of the most popular episodes released since Think Change first aired back in March 2022.This episode revisits a conversation we released last year, and the halfway point of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals deadline to end poverty and reduce inequalities.We asked what poverty really means today, and if old notions of ending poverty simply by increasing individual income above an arbitrary line are even useful anymore.This year we have looked closely at trends across a range...
2024-08-0631 minODI | Think ChangeThink Change Rewind at 50: highlights from our favourite episodesThis episode revisits some of our favourite conversations since the first Think Change podcast aired back in March 2022.Since that time we have released over 50 episodes and been lucky to host some brilliant guests, who have shared their analysis and stories with us on a range of critical global issues – from MDB reform and the debt crisis in the Global South to the future of the Africa-China relationship and the latest concerning developments in Gaza.The themes examined across all episodes are incredibly diverse, but they share a focus on reimagining a new vision for in...
2024-07-2435 minODI | Think ChangeHow do we close the global biodiversity finance gap?The impacts of the climate crisis are widely known and have rightfully spurred international action, but the hastening collapse of global biodiversity receives far less attention.Biodiversity is the life support system of our planet. We also depend on intact ecosystems for our food and water supplies, medical advances and disease prevention, climate stability, shelter and so much more.In financial terms, a staggering 55% of global GDP depends on high-functioning biodiversity.But nearly all species on earth are currently undergoing population declines, at speeds far quicker than scientists would expect.Reversing...
2024-07-0933 minODI | Think ChangeAfter the elections: The EU in the new world orderThe recent European elections came at a pivotal time for Europe and its relations with the rest of the world. In the continent, the economic squeeze, along with the public’s concern around security and migration, drove the outcome of the elections. Across the world, the rise in protectionist and nationalist ideology threatens the future of the multilateral system. At risk is the global commitment to the climate crisis and human rights. The Brussels policy debate is highly Eurocentric, but has extraterritorial impact, often with unanticipated consequences, across the globe. There is an urgent need for E...
2024-06-2533 minODI | 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 minODI | Think ChangeWhat is the ‘green squeeze’ and how can it be mitigated?Time is running out to keep the climate goals set out in the Paris Agreement within reach. Wealthy countries have introduced new industrial and green trade policy measures, but there are concerns that some of these are having adverse effects – hitting countries that have contributed the least to the climate crisis the hardest.This episode examines the concept of the ‘green squeeze’ – the notion that climate-related trade policies are negatively impacting low-income countries, unfairly putting the burden of adjustment on them. We ask what the ‘green squeeze’ means, both at a broader policy level and on the ground for p...
2024-05-2834 minODI | Think ChangeHow can we deal with the security impacts of the climate crisis?The Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace was signed last year at COP28 in Dubai. This recognised the unique challenge of addressing the climate emergency in areas affected by conflict and fragility, and called for “bolder, collective action” to support them.But what does this look like in practice?Despite being among the most vulnerable to climate change, conflict-affected countries receive just a fraction of the climate finance that is allocated to more stable regions.As we build up to the UN Summit for the Future and COP29, this episode examines what can...
2024-05-1429 minODI | Think ChangeHow can we make development finance work for everyone?The question of how multilateral development banks need to reform themselves so they are fit to face today's global challenges was again high on the agenda at the recent World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.These debates and recommendations for reform can be technical and complex, but what do the people these financial institutions were set up to serve think about what changes are needed?This episode, which was recorded from the sidelines of the Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., considers whether development finance is really reaching those who need it...
2024-04-3028 minODI | Think ChangeThe politics of hunger: can famine in Gaza and Sudan be stopped?The crises of hunger in Sudan and Gaza are grave humanitarian emergencies with profound consequences for affected communities.A recent UN briefing to the Security Council stated that Sudan is set to face the “world’s worst hunger crisis”, while an international committee of experts issued a dire warning that famine is not only imminent in Northern Gaza, but a risk across the entire territory.While man-made famine continues to be used as a weapon of war for political gain, the prevailing response from international humanitarian agencies is to provide food aid. But is this really...
2024-04-1635 minODI | Think ChangeTackling debt, transforming economies – why is the IDA replenishment so urgent?Global public debt is at unprecedented levels. The UN has reported that nearly half of the world’s population lives in countries that spend more paying off debts to other countries than they spend on healthcare for their own people.While needs soar as countries try to address the impact of the poly-crisis and invest significantly to transform their economies and societies, economic growth is in sharp retreat in many nations in the Global South.The World Bank is calling for donor governments to step up. They have put ‘IDA replenishment’ top of the agenda at thi...
2024-04-0232 minODI | Think ChangeCan art and design change the world?When it comes to development, creative and cultural practitioners are too often overlooked and underestimated as agents of change. According to UNESCO, the creative and cultural sector is one of the most powerful engines of global development. It accounts for nearly 50 million jobs worldwide, representing 6.2% of all existing employment and 3.1% of global GDP. On this episode, our guests discuss the immense potential of art, design and creativity to inspire social development and tackle global injustices. They unveil the ways in which creative projects are more than aesthetic pursuits – they are at the heart of change and...
2024-03-1931 minODI | Think ChangeRising tides, shifting borders: Migration in a changing climateBetween 2008 and 2016, 21.5 million people a year were forcibly displaced from their homes by weather-related events, and the UNHCR predicts that globally, 1.2 billion people could be displaced by 2050 due to climate change.This represents a hugely impactful but often overlooked consequence of climate change – one we are ill equipped to deal with.With immigration expected to dominate the elections happening throughout 2024, today we are discussing how and why our changing climate is creating a new wave of migration and what this means for approaches to immigration policy and the rise of nativism.GuestsSa...
2024-03-0536 minODI | Think ChangeWhat will it take to end femicide?Femicide – the intentional killing of women and girls with a gender-related motivation – affects every society around the world.According to UN Women, nearly 89,000 women and girls were killed intentionally in 2022 – the highest number recorded in the past 20 years. And over half of all female homicides were committed by family members or intimate partners.This episode puts a spotlight on this global atrocity. Experts from Italy, Kenya and Mexico share insights on how femicide is impacting their countries. We examine its root causes, how women’s movements are countering it, and what further action is urgen...
2024-02-2135 minODI | Think ChangeWill the ICJ ruling change anything for Gaza?In November, South Africa approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and to consider whether Israel is committing genocide.All eyes were on the Hague last month as the ICJ made its interim ruling, calling for Israel to "take all measures within its powers" to prevent civilian deaths in Gaza. But it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire.The court also ruled that aid must be allowed into Gaza. But since then, allegations from Israel that some employees of UNRWA – Gaza's biggest aid agency – were involved in the...
2024-02-0734 min
Events at USIPFrontline Civilian Response in SudanMore than 7 million Sudanese civilians have been displaced and millions more are facing limited access to basic services — including food, water and medical supplies — since the war between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces broke out in April 2023. On January 31, USIP hosted remarks from USAID Administrator Samantha Power and a conversation with frontline Sudanese responders and analysts.
Speakers
Lise Grande, opening remarks President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace
Samantha PowerAdministrator, USAID
Sara PantulianoChief Executive, Overseas Development Institute
Kholood KhairFo...
2024-02-011h 03ODI | Think ChangeHow can AI become a force for social good?Artificial intelligence (AI) dominated conversations at the recent World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.The release of ChatGPT to the public in December 2022 put AI firmly in the spotlight. And today it is all around us, promising to transform how we live our lives. But there are plenty of concerns and warnings about how it could impact the world. Many have sounded the alarm, even the so-called “Godfather of AI” Geoffrey Hinton, who has been vocal about the dangers of the technology he helped to create.In this episode, experts reflect on the ethical impl...
2024-01-2533 minODI | Think ChangeWhat trends will shape 2024? Part 2Last year was a bumpy one for the global economy, with sluggish growth, high inflation, tightened monetary policy and instability in the financial sector. This all played out against a backdrop of increased geopolitical tensions and fiscal pressures.This second podcast in our two-part mini-series on 2024 trends examines the global economic outlook for the year ahead. Will the next 12 months be defined by more uncertainty, or are there reasons to be optimistic about changes ahead?Experts discuss the big economic trends and developments to watch out for in 2024, including the outlook for global trade, prospects...
2024-01-1037 minODI | Think ChangeWhat trends will shape 2024? Part 12023 has been another year marked by major crises. This final episode reflects on where we are now, and the major global themes shaping 2024.The world is at a pivotal moment as we try to cope with multiple, interconnected crises. The number of people fleeing war, persecution and violence is at an estimated 114 million, against a backdrop of rising geo-political tensions, carbon emissions, food and energy crises, and economic instability.All this comes at a time when systems are overwhelmed, and international cooperation remains fragmented. But are there reasons for optimism?Next year will...
2023-12-2834 minODI | Think ChangeWhy is modern slavery on the rise?An increase in modern slavery in the last five years has been met with a decrease in the political will needed to address it.But what can consumers do to make more ethical choices this holiday season and beyond? In this episode we navigate the intricate web of human trafficking, exploitation and forced labour within global supply chains. We put the spotlight on the retail industry, exposing its role in the disproportionate vulnerability of women and children to forced labour.Our guests delve into the evolving response of the world to human trafficking challenges, exploring...
2023-12-1437 minODI | Think ChangeIs the international community failing on its shared commitment to refugees?The rights and treatment of refugees is never far from the media headlines. Hostile narratives and politicised rhetoric dominate the news at a time when globally, solidarity for refugees continues to decline.But with devastating conflict and climate hazards forcing more and more people from their homes, is the international community failing on its shared commitment to refugees?It’s been five years since the global compact on refugees was established in 2018, a commitment that enshrines responsibility to governments, international organisations, and other stakeholders to support refugees and host communities.With the Global Re...
2023-11-2932 minODI | Think ChangeIs our food system really broken?The Global Food Security Summit is about to get under way, where political leaders and experts will come together to discuss how to make urgent progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: to achieve zero hunger and end all forms of malnutrition by 2030.Around 345 million people experience acute food insecurity according to the World Food Programme – an increase of 200 million compared to pre-pandemic levels. And the UN has warned we are not on track to achieve this global goal.So how did we get here? And do these alarming numbers mask longer-term progress towards achieving SDG 2?...
2023-11-1534 minODI | Think ChangeThe forgotten crisis: what next for Nagorno-Karabakh?The world today is grappling with a multitude of conflicts, each of which different levels of global attention.In this episode, we shine a spotlight on a deeply under-reported humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh (also known as Artsakh), situated in the South Caucasus. Historically predominantly inhabited by Armenians, Nagorno-Karabakh falls within the internationally recognised borders of Azerbaijan.On September 19, 2023, after decades of simmering tension and warfare, Azerbaijan launched an offensive against the ethnic Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh. This offensive came after more than nine months of a complete blockade imposed by Azerbaijan, resulting in the displacement of...
2023-11-0330 minODI | Think ChangeIsrael/OPT crisis: what's needed to stop the bloodshed?We are now two weeks into the latest escalation of the long and bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas. A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Gaza, prompting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to call for an immediate ceasefire to stop the indiscriminate bombing of civilians and civilian objects.But on the same day, a UN Security Council Resolution calling for a ‘humanitarian pause’ was blocked by the US government – with the UK and Russia abstaining. Political action is needed now but global leaders are in a diplomatic gridlock, which risks further destabilising the region.In this episod...
2023-10-2032 min
Humanitarian Fault LinesSara Pantuliano of ODIHost Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Sara Pantuliano, Chief Executive at ODI. The organization has their own podcast, Think Change, which discusses global issues fortnightly with leading experts. Sara is the Chair of the UN Secretary-General’s Seventh Advisory Group of the UN Peacebuilding Fund and a member of UNFPA’s ICPD25 High-Level Commission. She also serves on the High-Level Group on Humanitarian Resilience and Investing and the Digital Currency Governance Consortium Steering Committee of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Jamie and Sara discuss the work ODI is currently involved in, and she gives her perspective on crises happening around the...
2023-10-0936 minODI | Think ChangeWhat do borrowing countries think of MDB reform?The question of how multilateral development banks (MDBs) must transform themselves to address today’s most pressing global challenges will again be under the spotlight at next week’s World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings in Marrakech.Business as usual will no longer do. In this episode – produced in collaboration with the Center for Global Development – we ask what the countries these banks were set up to serve think about how MDBs should adapt and evolve. After all, their demands and preferences should shape the lending volumes, strategies and operations of MDBs.But the reality is we kno...
2023-10-0536 minODI | Think ChangeHalfway to 2030, are the SDGs still relevant?The High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly is about to get under way. This is a significant year because it marks a halfway point in the delivery of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs or ‘Global Goals’), which were adopted in a 2015 UN resolution known as Agenda 2030.These goals were designed to provide a "shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.” Following the Covid-19 pandemic and other compounding shocks which we’ve come to call the “poly-crisis”, there has been much debate about how to get the SDGs back on trac...
2023-09-1529 minODI | Think ChangePalestine and Israel: how can justice prevail?Following the Israeli government’s recent attacks in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and against its own Supreme Court, our new Think Change podcast explores the growing threat to human rights for all those affected.According UN experts, the recent Israeli air strikes and ground operations in the occupied West Bank focussing on the Jenin refugee camp, which left many dead and displaced 4000 people, constitute war crimes and a violation of international law.As Israel’s far-right government continues to attack its own checks and balances, we look at the chilling effect this could have on demo...
2023-08-1133 minODI | Think ChangeHow can we counter the anti-feminist backlash?On the cusp of the Women Deliver Conference in Kigali, Rwanda this episode explores the growing anti-rights agenda relating to women and sexual minorities.Women’s rights and freedoms are being compromised and are under threat in many parts of the world. Well-funded, ultra conservative forces are pushing a narrative which directly targets the liberties of women, girls and sexual minorities.How can we counter the anti-feminist backlash in a coordinated and effective way? Can advocates for women’s rights work together to confront and dismantle this dangerous trend? And what role can global pacts and...
2023-07-1429 minODI | Think ChangeRefugee leadership: how do we move from talk to action?To mark Refugee Week, we highlighting the transformational impact that refugee leadership and expertise can bring to refugee responses.The importance of refugee leadership is now widely recognised. It is a key focus of the Global Compact on Refugees, which pledges to support refugee-led organisations (RLOs) and enable meaningful participation.But is this rhetoric materialising into practical action on the ground? Is refugee leadership taken seriously at an international level? Why is there a gap between theoretical pledges and tangible support? And what needs to happen now to strengthen refugee leadership and drive meaningful change?
2023-06-2133 minODI | Think ChangeAfrica-China: where is the relationship heading?African countries have had close economic relationships with China for many years. China is a major trade and investment partner, technology and infrastructure collaborator and development finance player in Africa.This has challenged traditional Western donors who had colonial relationships with many African countries as well as the US, until now the unquestionable dominant security and military power interacting with the continent.Earlier this year Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that ‘leaving Africa in China’s hands is a big mistake’. Just last month, the UK’s Minister of State for Development Andrew Mitchell...
2023-05-3035 minODI | Think ChangeSudan conflict: how did we get here and what next?The current terrible violence in Sudan comes almost twenty years to the day of when the genocide in Darfur started. Darfur was headline news at the time, but forgotten by the international community since. Only the recent escalation of violence between powerful armed groups in Khartoum has put Sudan back in the spotlight.This episode continues the conversation from an ODI event this week on the fallout from 20 years of conflict in Darfur. We convened the event to better understand the roots of the current violence and the country’s long history of conflict.Re...
2023-05-0539 minODI | Think ChangeIs democracy really in retreat?On the face of it, the global outlook for democracy looks pretty bleak. Democratic norms are eroding all over the world. According to International IDEA, ‘half of the world’s democracies are in retreat’.In Tunisia we have seen President Saied dismiss parliament and re-write the constitution. In Hungary, President Orbán has packed the courts and attacked the press. And in the US, Trump refuses to accept the results of an election he lost, inciting an insurrection to overturn them.Against this backdrop, and of course Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US recently co-hosted...
2023-04-2036 minODI | Think ChangeOn borrowed time: the sovereign debt crisis in the Global SouthIn just over a week’s time, the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and IMF will see the first formal session for a Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable. The problem of debt, and debt sustainability, has become one of the most urgent issues facing many low and middle-income countries around the world. The IMF estimates currently 36 low-income countries are at high risk of, or are currently in, debt distress, with the highest proportion of these in the African continent. Prior to the pandemic, many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa were already facing a high risk of debt...
2023-03-3032 minODI | Think ChangeWhat do Europeans really think about migrants?The rhetoric around immigration in Europe has become increasingly politicised and polarised. National governments are taking a more hostile approach in both the narrative used, and the implementation of regressive policies that are costly and ineffective.In the spirit of ‘deterrence’ we are seeing pushbacks of migrants arriving by sea in southern Europe and at numerous land borders with severe consequences.In the UK, there has been much debate around the government’s proposed zero-tolerance stance on migrants arriving illegally, with a particular focus on the Channel small boats crossings. This is in stark contrast to the...
2023-03-1636 minODI | Think ChangeWhy should men care about International Women's Day?This International Women's Day, we ask how and why men should care more about feminist visions for a fairer society.Every year on 8 March, women organise together to collectively demand their rights – specifically to transform gendered inequalities in paid and unpaid labour. But there is an aspect of this conversation that is not talked about enough. It is about men’s neglected role at home in unpaid care work and in supporting women's activism. This episode answers the question of why men should care more, highlighting the direct links between equal division of domest...
2023-03-0335 minODI | Think ChangeTürkiye-Syria earthquakes: lessons learnt and what next?On 6 February, two major earthquakes struck Türkiye and Syria, bringing widespread destruction to both countries. Scientists had issued warnings, but the scale of damage caused was never anticipated and had not been prepared for.In this episode we hear a range of perspectives, including from those on the frontline of the response in both Türkiye and Syria, to build a picture of the different challenges facing both countries today. Experts reflect on the impact of the disaster, how the relief effort is going so far, and what further action is needed to support survivors and re...
2023-02-1732 minODI | Think Change'Woman, Life, Freedom': can activism reshape Iran?Protests have gripped the country over the past four months. It’s not the first instance of civil unrest since the Iranian Revolution 44 years ago, but is there something different about how today’s women-led movement, whose rallying cry of ‘zan, zendegi, azadi’ – ‘woman, life, freedom’ – has galvanised activism today?This episode dives into the current situation in Iran. We hear what the protests signify for rights and freedoms, for Iranians and women around the world, and ask how the international community should respond.SpeakersSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODIAzadeh Pou...
2023-02-0232 minODI | Think ChangeWhat does poverty really mean today?Until recently, conversations about ending poverty were very mainstream. The sustainable development goals spoke of ending extreme poverty, and reducing poverty in all its forms to very low levels by 2030.But poverty seems to have fallen out of common parlance when discussing the many crises we face today.More fundamentally, are traditional notions of ending poverty simply by increasing individual income above an arbitrary line even useful any more? Poverty has changed over time, but general definitions and perceptions are still stuck in the past.In this episode our guests share their unique...
2023-01-1231 minODI | Think ChangeWhat can we expect in 2023 and beyond?This final episode of 2022 reflects on the year that has just been and looks ahead to 2023.It has been a year of major and often cascading crises. Many have been covered on this podcast, from the war in Ukraine and its spill over effects, to other shocks like the US decision to overturn Roe v Wade.But there have been some positive steps towards solutions. We have discussed some of those too, including the growing momentum around reforming international financing institutions, and new agreements to address the climate emergency.
2022-12-1536 minODI | Think ChangeThe climate and conflict double challenge: has COP27 delivered?COP27 ended with the launch of a new ‘loss and damage’ fund, which will provide financial assistance to poor nations stricken by climate disaster. But this money is unlikely to reach fragile communities in areas affected by conflict. These communities are also the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and the least ready to adapt.So the more unstable a state, the less climate finance it receives. And that’s despite the fact that ‘Least Developed Countries’ – many of which are conflict-affected states – were prioritised in the Paris Agreement for support because of their vulnerability to climate cha...
2022-12-0231 min
ODI | Think ChangeClimate loss and damage: who should pay?With COP27 now under way in Sharm El Sheikh, this episode explores why loss and damage is a key focus for this year’s negotiations through the perspective of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).SIDS are most heavily impacted by the impacts of climate change, despite being the least responsible for them. Average annual losses from extreme weather events are projected in the trillions of dollars by 2050, and pressure for financial redress is growing.At COP26 in Glasgow last year, the G77+China negotiating group proposed a loss and damage finance facility. This was blocked by the US and EU...
2022-11-0930 min
ODI | Think ChangeHow do we solve the fossil fuel problem?The International Energy Agency last year found that there is no room for any new coal, oil or gas if the world is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 – a crucial target to keep global heating to 1.5°C. But how do we balance this with the stark reality that fossil fuels today account for around 80% of the world’s energy consumption and that in many countries these energy needs are growing?Renewables are cost-competitive and growing, but many countries are still hugely dependent on fossil fuels – not only for their energy needs, but also for government revenue through their exports...
2022-10-2736 min
ODI | Think ChangeDo we need a new Bretton Woods Agreement for the post-Covid era?Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors and leaders of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are heading to Washington for the Annual Meetings, to discuss how to respond to the grim forecast captured in the latest outlook for the global economy.The IMF and the World Bank emerged from a pact between world leaders in the aftermath of another international catastrophe – World War II. Many other multilateral development banks have been created since then. Our research has shown that these banks are providing valued assistance to low- and middle-income countries around the world. They are also a critical to...
2022-10-0640 min
ODI | Think ChangeWhat’s causing the energy crisis?Global energy prices continue to rise. Coal prices are projected to increase by 81% in 2022, crude oil prices by 42% and natural gas prices by 74%. But these costs aren’t shared equally, especially for natural gas which requires specialised distribution infrastructure. The Russia-Ukraine war has therefore had an especially profound impact on Europe, which has been beset by a cost of living crisis.European countries are already introducing radical policies to ensure there is enough fuel to last the winter: windfall taxes, consumption caps, extra subsidies for consumers, extra liquidity for utilities. But there is an anomaly: the UK. The UK is...
2022-09-2329 min
ODI | Think ChangeWhat has the impact of Taliban rule been, one year on? Afghan women’s perspectivesTwenty years of western intervention in Afghanistan were bought to an abrupt end a year ago after the Taliban’s swift advance on Kabul.Their takeover sparked international disarray. Short-term, humanitarian solutions have failed to address the most critical challenges Afghans face.The Taliban were ‘semi-governing’ everyday life in parts of Afghanistan long before the fall of Kabul. Reports from the country have been troubling albeit not surprising over the past year – with restrictions on freedom of speech, erosion of the rights of women and girls, and a devastating economic and food security crisis across the country. But with the war...
2022-08-1543 min
ODI | Think ChangeWhat next? Rwanda asylum plan in a changing political landscapeThe Rwanda asylum plan refers the UK’s government’s controversial proposed policy to deport people identified as illegal immigrants, or seeking asylum, to Rwanda for resettlement. A judicial review of the policy is now set to take place in September, but the UK government continues to defend it and has not ruled out deportation flights over the summer. The case itself has been hugely divisive in the UK, Rwanda, and internationally. What started as a legal argument has caused a ripple effect into areas of religious morality and political ideology, while raising practical questions about whether this plan is l...
2022-07-1435 min
ODI | Think ChangeWhat can be done to tackle Covid-19 vaccine inequity?This month global trade ministers held talks at the World Trade Organization for the first time in five years. As the conference spilled into a sixth day, an agreement was finally reached to waiver Covid-19 patents (the TRIPS waiver).This deal temporarily removes intellectual property barriers around patents for Covid-19 vaccines and postpones the discussions on extending the waiver to treatments and tests by six months. But it has been heavily criticised for watering down the original text proposed by India and South Africa.So what benefit will it really have? This episode assesses the impact of the deal...
2022-06-2835 min
ODI | Think ChangeHow can we break the silence on famine in the Horn of Africa?Following four failed rains and with the threat of a fifth, the Horn of Africa is now facing the worst drought for 40 years, with up to 20 million people at risk of going hungry. The current crisis is drawing parallels to the famine in 2011 that killed nearly 260,000 people in Somalia alone.Aid agencies and food security experts raised the alarm about the impact of failed rains long ago, so why are we here again? And why is this devastating crisis not getting the attention it urgently needs? In this episode, experts join us from Mogadishu discuss the situation on the...
2022-06-1540 min
ODI | Think ChangeHow can global feminists help fight back on Roe?What does overturning Roe vs Wade mean for people living beyond US borders? We discuss the international aftershocks of the news that this 1973 Supreme Court decision is likely to be overturned.How can global activists safeguard existing abortion rights and at the same time prevent backsliding? How can we collectively navigate this new context while supporting a comprehensive agenda on reproductive justice and bodily autonomy?Join us and our invited guests as we unpack the gender norms at the heart of overturning Roe vs Wade, exploring what this means for people everywhere.Speakers: - Sara Pantuliano, Chief Executive, ODI...
2022-05-2543 min
ODI | Think ChangeHow can we stop wars before they start?This episode examines how we can stop wars and better support peace efforts around the world. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has again put the spotlight on the failures of current approaches, but could this also be a critical moment to reform the agenda? Our experts discuss what we have been getting wrong and what needs the change. Speakers:· Sara Pantuliano, Chief Executive, ODI· Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, UN· Paul Murphy, Executive Director, Saferworld· Kathryn Nwajiaku-Dahou, Director of Politics and Governance programme, ODIFor further information on the episode and its speakers, visit: Think Change...
2022-05-1135 min
ODI | Think ChangeWill the war in Ukraine cause a food crisis?Around the world, countries are feeling the effects of the ‘triple shock’ caused by the Ukraine war – the perfect storm of economic, energy and food risks. A looming food crisis could have devastating consequences globally, exacerbating inequality and further slowing the recovery from the pandemic. In this episode, we take a step back to understand what’s really going on here. How is the war impacting global prices, supply chains and markets? What countries are most at risk? And how should governments respond? Speakers: Sara Pantuliano, Chief Executive, ODI; Sarah Taber, crop scientist; Sherillyn Raga, Research Fellow, ODI; Steve Wiggins...
2022-04-2939 min
ODI | Think ChangeReactions to the French election results: what impact will they have?French President Emmanuel Macron will face Marine Le Pen in the second round of the country’s presidential election, with both candidates doing better than expected in the first round. We delve into the policy positions of each of the candidates and explore potential implications for the economy, Europe-Africa relations, migration, peace and security, and more. How might their campaigns evolve to scoop up those left and right voters, and how is this election influencing France’s place in the world? Speakers:Sara Pantuliano, Chief Executive, ODIJulien Marcilly, Chief Economist at Global Sovereign AdvisoryKathryn Nwajiaku-Dahou, Director of Programme (Politics and...
2022-04-1437 min
ODI | Think ChangeDisinformation and the Russia-Ukraine warThis horrific war is displacing millions of people, challenging the region’s stability and threatening peace and security in our time. But what role has disinformation played to get us to this point? We hear a lot about Russia’s methods to disrupt narratives, paint false pictures and spread conspiracies. But how do they do it? What’s the significance of it? And how should we really be responding to it?Speakers:Sara Pantuliano, Chief Executive at ODI, Nathalie Van Raemdonck, researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Stephanie Diepeveen, Research Fellow at ODI, Theo Tindall, Research Officer at ODI.
2022-03-3031 min
CoinDesk ReportsMONEY REIMAGINED: The Complexities of Blockchain in Global Aid EffortsThis episode is sponsored by Quantstamp and Nexo.io.In theory, crypto and blockchain technology present unique opportunities to improve, accelerate and strengthen global aid efforts. In practice, geopolitical challenges and complexities in distribution hinder projects before they’ve even had a chance to deploy the new technology.Joining “Money Reimagined” hosts Michael Casey and Sheila Warren are Sara Pantuliano, chief executive of ODI and member of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, and Sasha Kapadia, director in the Humanitarian and Development group at Mastercard. The guests are intimately familiar with the processes and challenges associated with cros...
2022-01-1435 min
Money ReimaginedThe Complexities of Blockchain in Global Aid Efforts
This episode is sponsored by Quantstamp and Nexo.io.In theory, crypto and blockchain technology present unique opportunities to improve, accelerate and strengthen global aid efforts. In practice, geopolitical challenges and complexities in distribution hinder projects before they’ve even had a chance to deploy the new technology.Joining “Money Reimagined” hosts Michael Casey and Sheila Warren are Sara Pantuliano, chief executive of ODI and member of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, and Sasha Kapadia, director in the Humanitarian and Development group at Mastercard. The guests are intimately familiar with the processes and challenges associated with cros...
2022-01-1435 min
Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking: The PodcastEpisode 6: Development FinanceIn Episode 6 of Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking: The Podcast, we examine the role that development finance can play in the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking. We begin by discussing how restrictions on economic agency create the conditions that make people vulnerable to exploitation. The episode then looks at how development finance practitioners understand modern slavery risks and what they're doing to restore people's economic agency. The episode concludes with a discussion about the connections between climate change vulnerabilities, human trafficking and development, and what that means for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) later this year.
2021-06-1555 min
WHFPodcastsThe Global Reset Dialogue: a new paradigm for international development - In Conversation with Dr Sara Pantuliano, Chief Executive, ODI - Episode 16For this week's episode we have had a fascinating conversation with Dr Sara Pantuliano, the Chief Executive of the Overseas Development Institute, one of the top think tanks in the world focusing on international development. Dr Pantuliano has extensive experiences with UN Agencies, focusing on Sudan and South Sudan in particular. If you're interested in finding out more about her work, please visit the ODI's website at: https://www.odi.org/
If you're interested in participating with the World Humanitarian Forum, please visit our website at: https://www.whf.london/
2021-03-2432 min
ODI live events podcastPFI conference 2020: How can PFM support better public services?Sara Pantuliano, Chief Executive, ODI – Introductory remarks
• Mark Miller, Director, Public Finance and Institutions Programme, ODI – Framing a
future international agenda on PFM and service delivery
• Rathin Roy, Director, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy – Country
perspectives on PFM and service delivery
2020-03-1043 min