VoxDev Development Economics

In the latest episode of the collaboration between Yale’s Economic Growth Center and VoxDev, host Catherine Cheney is asking one of the most complex questions in global development: how can the clean energy transition move forward quickly and equitably, particularly for low- and middle-income countries still grappling with poverty? There is a balance between emissions reductions and economic growth. While wealthy nations historically contributed the most to climate change, LMICs are now under pressure to take costly action to avoid it. Catherine is joined by Max Bearak of the New York Times, Jessica Seddon of Yale Jackson School and the Dietz Family Initiative on Environment and Global Affairs, and Anant Sudarshan of the University of Warwick and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago. Read the full show notes here: https://voxdev.org/topic/energy-environment/climate-capital-and-conscience-who-will-pay-global-energy-transition

Shameran Abed, Executive Director of BRAC International, shares insights on BRAC’s graduation approach, designed to lift ultra-poor households out of poverty. He explores how the model, first pioneered in Bangladesh, uniquely tailors support through community involvement. The conversation delves into the transformative power of comprehensive aid, sustainable livelihood strategies, and the importance of continuous impact evaluation. Abed emphasizes scaling these innovative programs to meet global needs, especially for marginalized groups.

Ludvig Wier, author of a pivotal International Growth Centre report and a key figure in the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delves into the complex world of corporate profit shifting. He reveals how multinational corporations exploit low-tax jurisdictions, severely impacting tax revenues in developing countries. Wier discusses AI's potential to aid overwhelmed tax offices and highlights global initiatives aimed at diminishing the allure of tax havens. The conversation uncovers the vast disparities in tax compliance and the urgent need for equitable tax solutions.

Vocational training is often seen as a silver bullet for unemployment and poverty, but does the evidence support that view? Why do so many training programs fail to lead to real job opportunities, and are we asking too much of these programs – or maybe the wrong questions entirely? In the latest episode of the collaboration between Yale’s Economic Growth Center and VoxDev, host Catherine Cheney is joined by Oriana Bandiera, professor of Economics at the London School of Economics, Stefano Caria, professor of economics at the University of Warwick, and Munshi Sulaiman, Director of Research at the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development and a professor in the Master of Development Studies program at BRAC University, to ask what it takes to make job skills programs work.

A fundamental part of women’s economic empowerment is helping women who want to work outside the home to find and keep a job. A major part of that decision is ensuring that they can travel to work without fear of stigma, harassment or violence on public transport. In Pakistan, a study set out to discover whether an offer of safe commuter transport would tempt women who are currently not looking for a job. Kate Vyborny of the World Bank spoke to Tim Phillips from Lahore, where the study took place, about the challenges women face in commuting to work and about how safe transport can change career opportunities for millions of women. Photo credit: ADB Read the full show notes here: https://voxdev.org/topic/infrastructure/how-safe-transport-could-unlock-womens-labour-force-participation-pakistan

Pushpam Kumar, an expert from the UN Environment Programme, discusses how rising debt in low-income countries threatens crucial river basins like the Congo and Amazon. He highlights the alarming debt-to-natural capital ratio and its implications for livelihoods and biodiversity. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for integrated economic-environmental policies and rethinking measurements of economic health beyond GDP. Kumar also explores debt-for-nature swaps as a potential solution for alleviating debt while fostering conservation.

Simon Johnson, a renowned MIT professor and Nobel laureate, discusses the transformative impact of AI on global development and the shifting geopolitical landscape. He examines how countries in the global south must adapt to deglobalization and the influence of major players like China and Russia. Johnson reflects on the role of international institutions like the IMF and World Bank amid rising global challenges. He also explores the urgent need for skills development in response to job automation and the unique power dynamics of tech entrepreneurs.

Magdi Amin, managing partner at African Renaissance Ventures and a seasoned expert with over 20 years at the World Bank and IFC, discusses the dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan following civil war. He highlights the devastating impact on digital infrastructure and the urgent need for technological solutions. Amin elaborates on the Mojo Loop Initiative, aimed at enhancing financial access through interoperable systems. He stresses that rebuilding digital infrastructure is crucial not only for recovery but also for ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need.

Imran Matin, Executive Director of the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development, shares insights into Bangladesh's tumultuous political landscape following recent upheavals. He discusses the roots of the 2024 protests tied to economic stagnation and governance issues. Matin emphasizes the importance of evidence-based policy reforms and the role of data governance in shaping the country's future. He also explores the Rapid Research Response Initiative, which uses phone surveys to gauge public sentiment, and the urgency for collaborative nation-building efforts.

Join Rory Stewart, a former UK Secretary of State for International Development and Yale senior fellow, Stefan Dercon, an Oxford professor and former chief economist, and Trudi Makhaya, ex-advisor to the South African President, as they explore the decline of evidence-based policymaking. They discuss the dangers of populism overshadowing facts, USAID's cutbacks, and the need for adaptability in policy amidst political pressures. Their insights highlight the urgency for a narrative that prioritizes human dignity in global development.