In Pursuit of Development Power, policy, and the future of global development – Rachel Glennerster
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Nov 12, 2025 
Rachel Glennerster, President of the Center for Global Development, discusses the evolving landscape of global development. She explains how development is increasingly driven by national policies rather than just aid. Rachel highlights the importance of prioritizing evidence-based interventions and adapting to tightening budgets. She explores the role of artificial intelligence and South-South cooperation in shaping future practices. The conversation also touches on the significance of reconnecting development with the public through clear, impactful messaging.
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Local-Led Development Drives Progress
- Most development happens because of policies and actors inside low- and middle-income countries, not donors.
- External influence matters, but overemphasizing donor centrality misreads how change actually occurs.
Multilaterals Retain Strategic Value
- The IMF and World Bank remain politically useful to the U.S., which reduces the chance of wholesale withdrawal.
- That pragmatic influence preserved short-term funding and engagement despite political turbulence.
Cuts Hurt The Most Vulnerable First
- Sudden donor withdrawals (e.g., USAID, PEPFAR) will cost lives and hit refugees and displaced people hardest.
- Some countries can replace support, but many fragile states lack capacity to fill those gaps.