The Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) - comprising of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar - has become a hotspot for investment over the years. A recent report from the Milken Institute has uncovered not only the opportunities for investment, but also key actions that the GCC needs to take to make investment opportunities stronger both for governments and investors, leading to greater impact. We sit down with Dr Claude Lopez - Head of Research at the Milken Institute - to discuss more about the GCC, investment, and opportunities for greater social impact.
Episode 50: Coronavirus and diplomacy - why it matters now more than ever
The coronavirus pandemic has caused not only social isolation and global panic but sudden rupture in global relations and business which can lead to long term damage. During this era of panic and fear, diplomacy is needed now more than ever by businesses and government in order to keep partnerships for social impact during this time of crisis.
Episode 49: Can we really measure impact?
Measuring impact has been the challenge for many social enterprises and NGOs when it comes to truly assess the real benefit of their work. But why is it a challenge? And why is it also such low priority for many organisations? We explore further the challenge and the reason why this overlooked aspect is more important than ever.
Episode 48: Why the SDGs matter? The UK perspective
Replacing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were meant for all countries - developed and undeveloped - to achieve. But some countries are falling far behind and failing to really address it. On this episode, we speak to Dominic White, Co-Founder of UKSSD and Head of International Development Policy at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) -UK to discuss more on the UK perspective on tackling the SDGs and why they matter.
Episode 47: Turkey in Somalia - a sustainable investment?
Since 2011, Turkey has been heavily investing in the war-torn state of Somalia - from humanitarian aid to investing in local infrastructure. With slow progress in stability returning to the country and the recent awarding of potential oil field discovery off the coast of Mogadishu to Turkey, has Erdogan's investment and risk taking in Somalia paid off finally for Ankara? And more importantly, what can this mean for businesses and sustainable development in the African horn? On this episode we go over Turkey's involvement and the potential this brings to the country.
Episode 46: US and Iran tensions - what threats are there to businesses and development?
With the US and Iran tensions escalating following the assassination of Iran's Major General Qasem Soleimani by the Trump Administration in Bagdad, rising worry over a potential conflict and heightened misunderstandings on both sides are leading many to question the future of stability in the region. Most importantly, what does this mean for businesses and sustainable development in the region? Bringing clarity to the tension, Sami Hamdi - Editor and Chief of The International Interest, joins us on The Global Podcast to bring both clarity and light to the tension and threats to businesses.
Episode 45: Republish - life after Brexit - the case for sustainable development
The Conservative party in the UK has won their biggest victory since 1987 this week, giving the blessing for Boris Johnson to pursue Brexit by the end of January 2020. Back in September, we spoke of what Brexit could mean for the UK and sustainable development. With the possibility of a hard Brexit now in the mix, we're republishing this episode to give greater food for thought for the British government.
Episode 44: Updates on climate change - can businesses help save the planet?
The UN has released a report this week with very dire news - we're failing to meet the Paris Agreement Goals. The threats of climate change continues to loom but is there a chance that businesses can help pick up the slack from governments in saving the planet? We speak with climate activist Chiara Soletti on the recent UN report and updates during Climate Week this past September as well as food for thought for businesses to get on board.
Episode 43: Afghanistan peace talks and sustainable development
Afghanistan election results are due this week and with the new president in place, comes the key question - what of the Afghan peace talks? And with the involvement of the Taliban as a major stakeholder in these discussions, how much is sustainable peace and development being compromised? We speak with Alex Thier, former ODI Executive Director and previous senior official with USAID working on Afghanistan to discuss more about the country, the peace talks and its future for sustainable development.
Episode 42: Lebanese protests - the result of lack of investment
Lebanon has seen a slew of protests in early October since the government decided to inject a tax on WhatsApp services in the country, proving to be the straw that broke the camel's back. But the protests in the street are the symptom of long-term neglect from the Lebanese government to its people. On this episode, we uncover how this occurred and make the case for the need for government to invest in citizens.
Episode 41: A Year in Review
On this episode, we review Episode 8 in which we predicted the top five topics for 2019 in diplomacy and international development. Were we right? Were we wrong? The foredooming episodes will invite key experts where we look at the year and see how it went.
Episode 40: We need partnerships to achieve the SDGs
With almost 10 years to go before the deadline for the SDGs, we're still very much behind in achieving them; this is why partnership is key. In light of our recent article published on Modern Diplomacy, we're making the case for the need for partnership if we want a more sustainable world.
Episode 39: Italy and sustainable development - is it possible?
In Episode 32, we spoke of Italy's need for sustainable development. On today's episode, we explore the possibility by speaking with Andrea Pastorelli, CEO of Teach for Italy and Daniele Abate, Public-Funded Project Manager for H-Farm to discuss how focusing on education and entrepreneurship for social impact can potential save Italy. But most importantly, we uncover whether it is still possible, even the current economic crisis.
Episode 38: Brexit and Sustainable Development
Brexit has been looming over the British conscience since the 2016 referendum. With many things unclear about what will happen in the supposed 31 October deadline to leave the European Union, equally uncertain is the status of the future of sustainable development in the UK. With British NGOs uncertain of their place with DFID and an unclear British strategy towards achieving the SDGs, we look at what is going on in the UK concerning sustainable development around Brexit and what could the future bring.
Episode 37: See you in September!
We’re taking a break the month of August to provide you with exciting new content in September!
Episode 36: Humanitarian diplomacy revealed
UN agencies such as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have immortalised the role of the humanitarian diplomat and the crucial role they play in safeguarding the interests of marginalised communities. But can diplomats for sustainable development be considered humanitarians as well? Or is there a fine line between humanitarian aid and sustainability? We uncover the definition of both and see if both actors have a similar approach in their way of saving the world.
As mentioned in the episode: Osterman, C. "How globalisation didn't start with the local". Social Value UK. 2019.
Episode 35: Puerto Rico - can investors and businesses save the island?
For the past week, Puerto Ricans have been protesting in San Juan where they are calling for the resignation of Governor Ricardo Rosello. This is following a revelation of corruption in the lead up for humanitarian and development relief for the island, which is still suffering from the aftermath of the 2017 Hurricane Maria storm. The island (a US territory) is suffering not only from a $102 billion cost in damage but also an economic crisis that is seeing many both die and flee from the island. But is there space for NGOs, impact investors and businesses with a social mindset to fill in the gaps where government has failed? We discuss the current dynamics of the island to understand the potential to make real social impact.
Episode 34: Is China preventing a sustainable Africa?
For those familiar with the African continent, one cannot deny the presence of China. Whether in infrastructure, businesses or the influx of Chinese migrant workers, Beijing has invested heavily in the continent and forged ties with many African leaders for its One Belt One Road initiative. While this has definitely led to an economic boom for the continent, is there a potential of this backfiring due to lack of due dilligence on both sides for sustainable development? On this episode, we discuss the real potential cost of easy access Chinese loans to African states and the implication this could have.
Episode 33: Sustainable development for peace in Israel
For years, contemporary Israeli society has seen a division between both Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs, especially when it comes to the booming start-up and tech scene that has seen Israel dubbed as "the start-up nation". But is there a space for non-profits and start-ups to foster sustainable development for peace through innovation? On this episode, we speak with Naama Nagar and Hans Shakur of the Nazareth-based non-profit Tsofen as they work to bridge Arab and Jewish entrepreneurs for real sustainable change via tech and empowerment.
Episode 32: Italy's need for sustainable development
Italy has been suffering from low economic growth and mass brain drain for the past decade, seeing the country fall faster and faster into a downward spin. But what role can sustainable development play in saving the country? What are the current gaps? In today's episode, we uncover the current Italian dynamics to understand the potential for sustainable development to lead to higher impact and growth for the country.
