Opinion
Supporting the least able in sanitation improvement (part 1)
13 Jun 2017Having worked with UNICEF on the post-Typhoon Haiyan sanitation & hygiene recovery strategy, 2014-15, the UNICEF-IDS workshop enabled me to revisit typhoon-affected areas and see to what extent people had been able to rebuild their lives in the last two years.
Compensation following land reform: four big challenges
By Ian Scoones12 Jun 2017
Paying compensation following land reform is perhaps one of the most pressing and emotive land policy issues in Zimbabwe today. In this blog Ian Scoones highlights four challenges around compensation.
Poop & Earn: How Villages around Raipur Are Making Money by Going ODF
10 Jun 2017"Hum tumko maar denge - We will kill you," were words that Mehataru Sahu heard when trying to convince villagers to build toilets in their homes. Mehataru's response was resolute, "Kill me if you want, but do that after you build a toilet in your house."
Untangling complexity:How to reach and support the most disadvantaged?
09 Jun 2017Have had the great opportunity to take part in a workshop organised jointly by the CLTS Knowledge Hub at IDS and UNICEF, looking at how best to support the poorest and most vulnerable in sanitation at scale.
Nothing about us without us!: Zero Open Defecation in the Philippines
09 Jun 2017Following the CLTS Knowledge Hub and UNICEF workshop on how best to support the poorest and most vulnerable in sanitation at scale, the Ministry of Health and UNICEF facilitated a one-day workshop for Government and partners in the Philippines.
Can China be a global climate leader?
By Wei Shen08 Jun 2017
President Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement has sparked off a round of global discussion on China's potential as a global leader on climate. But is China ready to meet the expectations and fill the gap left by the US?
Cyclone Mora: an untold good news story
By Naomi Hossain07 Jun 2017
Bangladesh briefly made world news last week when it was hit by Cyclone Mora. Seven people died, over 50 were injured and dozens of fishermen are still missing. But these tragic casualties were far off the ‘1 million...’ predicted in CNN headlines.
Empowerment and accountability in messy places...
By Duncan Green07 Jun 2017
Duncan Green will be doing some research on how ‘adaptive management’ plays out in fragile, conflict, and violent settings, and is looking for case study examples - can you help?
Africa must take the lead in addressing global health challenges
By Ian Scoones05 Jun 2017
The new Director General of the WHO, Dr Tedros, is a former minister of health in Ethiopia. Africa, at last, is now at the centre of global health policy. Ian Scoones explains why a 'one health' approach should be central to Dr Tedros' vision.
China and Global Climate Change – From Laggard to Leader?
By Patrick Schroeder03 Jun 2017
In the latest turn of events in the fight against climate change, the Trump administration announced its withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. Is China set to replace the US as the emerging global leader in the fight against climate change?
Commercial agriculture in Africa: winners and losers
By Ian Scoones29 May 2017
The findings of the Land and Agricultural Commercialisation in Africa project, funded by DFID and ESRC, have just been published in the Journal of Peasant Studies. In this work Ian Scoones asked what difference did the ‘model’ of commercial farming make?
Putting research to use in addressing complex development challenges: are we ready?
By Marina Apgar26 May 2017
The Sustainable Development Goals provide a framework that may open up space to move beyond the siloes of disciplines and sectors. But, as we explore in a new paper, there are important lessons to consider from participatory, reflexive programmes that link research and action for development.
The pros and cons of commercial farming models in Africa
By Ian Scoones, Ruth Hall, Dzodzi Tsikata25 May 2017
What are the pros and cons of commercial farming models in Africa? Ian Scoones, Ruth Hall and Dzodzi Tsikata write in The Conversation.
Maduro’s new Constitution: more authoritarianism for Venezuela
By Maria Aguado Álvarez de Sotomayor, Lizbeth Navas-Aleman24 May 2017
Venezuela is a country in political as well as economic turmoil. Far from abating the crisis by deepening democracy, President Maduro's proposed constitutional reforms are more likely to secure the ruling party’s grip on power.
Academics in ivory towers? It’s time to change the record
By James Georgalakis24 May 2017
Are scholars really so out of touch with the real world or do we need to look again at this tired narrative that doesn’t reflect the reality of modern academia.
What should the priorities be for the new WHO Director-General?
By Melissa Leach, Annie Wilkinson, Ian Scoones, Hayley MacGregor23 May 2017
As leaders come together for the 70th World Health Assembly and make the choice of the next Director General, they have some major challenges ahead, but what should their priorities be? IDS researchers set out what they think should be at the top of the list.
What is the link between productivity, circular economy and the SDGs?
By Patrick Schroeder22 May 2017
Asia’s development over the last decades has been characterised by rapid economic growth, fast-paced development, urbanisation, and rising household incomes. Increases in productivity have been one of the main factors underpinning these trends.
The Emancipatory Rural Politics Initiative
By Ian Scoones22 May 2017
Launched this week the Emancipatory Rural Politics Initiative (ERPI) is being launched will be confronting the forces of authoritarian populism in rural areas, and exploring emancipatory alternatives.
A strong higher education sector can help retain UK's global influence
By Adam Tickell, Melissa Leach18 May 2017
As the UK prepares to exit the European Union and reposition itself on the global stage, IDS Director, Melissa Leach and University of Sussex Vice Chancellor, Adam Tickell, argue that a new UK government must continue to support the higher education sector.
Côte d’Ivoire: mutiny may be over, but the army’s problems are not
By Jeremy Allouche, Oswald Padonou17 May 2017
Reforming a fragmented army will be tough in Côte d’Ivoire’s tense atmosphere. Could foreign deployment provide an alternative solution? Jeremy Allouche writes for African Arguments.
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