iPhone app iPad app Android phone app Android tablet app

Global Development

Urban Resilience for a New Century

Dr. Judith Rodin | Posted 05.14.2013 | Impact
Dr. Judith Rodin

We can't know for sure when or where the next crisis will hit -- only that it will. But despite these certainties, most cities are woefully unprepared to manage these shocks. Now is the time to help cities build resilience.

The Transformative Power of Philanthropy

Dr. Judith Rodin | Posted 05.09.2013 | Impact
Dr. Judith Rodin

Amazing things happen when you bet on people -- including entire transformations. But with this ability comes great responsibility, in all of our work, to grapple with the big moral questions of our day.

Philanthropy as Backer of Brains

Dr. Judith Rodin | Posted 05.02.2013 | Impact
Dr. Judith Rodin

There is still no machine that can match the power of human ingenuity to solve truly human problems. And therefore, "backing brains" has always been a key part of philanthropy's strategy.

Sustainable Ecological Business Development in Haiti

Kevin Adair and Frantz Fanfan | Posted 04.25.2013 | Impact
Kevin Adair and Frantz Fanfan

Haiti is over 95 percent deforested, largely due to the population's reliance on charcoal cooking fuel. Finding a sustainable alternative cooking fuel that is accessible and affordable for residential and commercial use is a top priority.

Philanthropy as Field Builder

Dr. Judith Rodin | Posted 04.25.2013 | Impact
Dr. Judith Rodin

Last week, I discussed role of philanthropy as risk-taker – taking on the hardest parts of the work so that the private and public sectors can c...

Philanthropy Is the Go-To Partner for Risk

Dr. Judith Rodin | Posted 04.18.2013 | Impact
Dr. Judith Rodin

Risk is philanthropy's calling card -- it's what our philanthropic dollars, at least in the United States, are now tax-advantaged to do. If we're not taking enough risk, we're clearly not doing everything in our power to maximize impact for the poor or vulnerable.

Guaranteeing Personal Security: A Key Goal for Global Development

Terra Lawson-Remer | Posted 05.14.2013 | World
Terra Lawson-Remer

Guaranteeing Civil Rights, Political Rights, and Personal Security is a critical development goal. This post discusses indicators for personal security. 'Personal security' is an inherently context-specific issue, so at least some indicators should be designed from the bottom up.

Why I Want My Daughters -- and Son -- to Read Lean In

Nancy Birdsall | Posted 05.12.2013 | Women
Nancy Birdsall

Her book puts something new on the table. Women don't need to buy into the internal obstacles that the prevailing culture imposes. They can make themselves happier by leaning in at work and speaking up about the tough choices that the external obstacles create.

Civil and Political Rights: A Key Goal for Global Development

Terra Lawson-Remer | Posted 05.12.2013 | World
Terra Lawson-Remer

Given that civil and political rights targets aim to hold governments accountable for fulfilling international human rights treaty obligations, assessment should be external to government authorities, impartial, and conducted by legitimate international bodies.

Rule of Law and Access to Justice for All: A Key Goal for Global Development

Terra Lawson-Remer | Posted 05.07.2013 | World
Terra Lawson-Remer

Empowering individuals and communities to assert and realize their rights can ensure that the law protects against government corruption and discrimination, and gives a voice to the least politically powerful, who might otherwise be ignored.

Open and Accountable Government for All: A Key Goal for Global Development

Terra Lawson-Remer | Posted 05.05.2013 | World
Terra Lawson-Remer

Open and accountable government is a crucial aspect of socioeconomic development. Although open and accountable government may seem an abstract and immeasurable goal, it is indeed feasible to assess performance on these critical governance issues.

Combating Discrimination and Inequality: A Key Goal for Global Development

Terra Lawson-Remer | Posted 04.30.2013 | World
Terra Lawson-Remer

A clearer focus on combating discrimination and inequality in the post-2015 development framework would help ensure that the most marginalized and vulnerable groups are not left out and left behind in the pursuit of macroeconomic growth.

Setting the Bar and Measuring Progress for (New) Global Development Goals After 2015

Terra Lawson-Remer | Posted 04.28.2013 | World
Terra Lawson-Remer

In the last round of the Millennium Development Goals, governance and human rights issues were largely excluded, despite their critical importance to sustainable and equitable development. Of course, quantifying and evaluating progress on these complex issues is not simple.

Rethinking Global Development Goals

Terra Lawson-Remer | Posted 04.22.2013 | World
Terra Lawson-Remer

It is technically feasible and increasingly politically possible, on a global stage, to include governance and human rights goals and targets as part of post-2015 development priorities.

After the Millennium Development Goals: Where Do We Go From Here?

Terra Lawson-Remer | Posted 04.21.2013 | World
Terra Lawson-Remer

Human rights and good governance are critical aspects of global development. A significant body of research over the past fifteen years has decisively demonstrated that good institutions are a critical ingredient in eradicating poverty and creating equitable, sustainable, and inclusive growth.

Changing Children's Chances: The Power of Public Information

Dr. Jody Heymann | Posted 04.14.2013 | Impact
Dr. Jody Heymann

Want to know how much McDonald's charges for Big Macs in more than 40 different countries? No problem. But want to know where children are allowed to work in mines, with poisonous chemicals, or through the night? Good luck! We decided to take steps to begin to fill these gaps.

Student Source the Grand Challenges

Muhammad H. Zaman | Posted 04.03.2013 | Impact
Muhammad H. Zaman

The ecosystem of an educational institution has the capacity to create change, provided we give a platform where ideas can nourish and flourish. By student sourcing global development, we will match the toughest problems with our most prized resource of all: creativity.

Obama's Global Development Legacy

Jeremy Konyndyk | Posted 03.18.2013 | Politics
Jeremy Konyndyk

President Obama has been a strong supporter of foreign aid throughout his first term, but unlike his predecessor, he has yet to translate his support into an enduring legacy on global development. As he enters his second term, the president should take several steps to cement that legacy.

Two More Reasons for Preemptive Contract Sanctions in Syria

Kimberly Ann Elliott | Posted 01.27.2013 | World
Kimberly Ann Elliott

As government officials from the Friends of Syria sanctions working group prepare to meet in Tokyo on November 30, we thought we'd highlight two new developments that reinforce the case for using preemptive contract sanctions in Syria.

Connecting News and Raw Video to Social Action

Caty Borum Chattoo | Posted 11.09.2012 | Impact
Caty Borum Chattoo

Malala Yousufzai's story is important not only as a news story, but as a human rights impact story -- and what it can inspire about our desire to get involved and "take action." When we see and hear a story like hers, we want to do something.

From Recipient to Resource Partner: China's Changing Role in Global Development

Steve Davis | Posted 12.26.2012 | Impact
Steve Davis

Over the last few decades, China, once regarded mainly as an aid recipient, has become an influential partner in global health and development.

Keeping Our Promises to Women and Children: Roadblocks to Ending Maternal and Child Deaths

Carole Presern | Posted 09.22.2012 | Impact
Carole Presern

Working together through the Global Strategy, we have seen how sound planning, sufficient resources and political will, can make a significant difference in the lives of millions. But the global community can still do much better.

From There to Here: Social Enterprise and Reverse Innovation

Thane Kreiner | Posted 09.24.2012 | Impact
Thane Kreiner

The vast growth it has seen is proof that the Grameen Bank's brand of group lending -- which relies on peer pressure rather than collateral to ensure that debts are repaid -- can work in America.

Empowering Women Farmers Is Key To Ensuring Global Food Security

Roger Thurow | Posted 07.18.2012 | Impact
Roger Thurow

bringing the benefits of agricultural development to the farmers at the end of the road, is the challenge within the challenge.

Raising Global Citizens

Ana Roca Castro | Posted 06.30.2012 | Impact
Ana Roca Castro

I don't want you to think that you need to pack and fly abroad to raise global citizens. It still is the ideal, but there are so many local opportunities you can find where your kids can engage in social good.