Global Dispatches -- World News That Matters The Coronavirus Pandemic and Its Effect on Low Income Countries and Global Development with Amanda Glassman
The coronavirus pandemic could have major implications for international development.
As of now, most of the countries that have been hit hardest by COVID-19 are higher income countries; places like Italy, South Korea, and the United States. Low income countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, have not yet recorded significant clusters of the coronavirus -- but the economic consequences of the virus are being felt around the world.
How can low income countries -- including those that have been the focus of major economic and social development efforts, often backed by international institutions like the World Bank -- protect themselves from both COVID-19 and its global economic fallout?
Amanda Glassman is on the line with me to answer that question and to discuss the potential effects of the coronavirus on global development. She is the executive vice president and senior fellow with the Center for Global Development, and someone I have long turned to help me understand how international development works.
We are sort of in uncharted times here. My kids are home from school, for who knows how long. I assume most of you listening to this are practicing social distancing to the fullest extent possible. I think in times like this, community becomes important. Over the many years of doing this podcast, I really have felt that a profound sense of community has been built around the show. If there's anything I can do to help you through this time--make the social distancing a little less distant; or even just help you fill your time if you are under some sort of quarantine, please let me know. I'll just give you my personal email address (markleongoldberg at gmail com). Feel free to reach out with whatever is on your mind. Remember: You are not alone.
One thing I did do is put together a list of podcast episodes categorized by topics that are often encountered in university courses on international relations. I put this together mostly for professors of international relations and related fields to help them as they move to online instruction. Email me if you'd like it.