International Development - Audio

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Online Event: Pursuing Effective and Conflict-Aware Stabilization (Part 1) May 05, 2020

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Please join the CSIS Cooperative Defense Project and Project on Prosperity and Development for a discussion on best practices the U.S. government can implement to conduct more effective and conflict-aware stabilization. It has been over a year since the Trump administration published its Stabilization Assistance Review (SAR), providing guiding principles that are relevant now more than ever. This discussiion will feature the launch of a CSIS Policy Brief on the subject and focus on how SAR principles and the newly passed Global Fragility Act can provide frameworks to inform integrated, partnership-driven, whole-of-government approaches in stabilization country contexts.
This event is made possible by generous support from Chemonics International.

U.S. Launch: World Migration Report 2020 Feb 27, 2020

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In late 2019, IOM’s Director General released the tenth edition of the IOM flagship publication, the World Migration Report 2020. Designed to provide the latest data and information on key migration trends around the world, the report includes analysis of global migration statistics, describes recent developments in global governance of migration as well as outlines regional dimensions of migration and displacement. Drawing upon IOM’s expertise in migration operations and management, as well as the depth of knowledge of the world’s leading migration academics, the report provides a wealth of material relevant to strategic policy, program and operational deliberations.
This event is made possible with generous support from the Danish Embassy in Washington D.C.

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Sustainable Development Goal #9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Feb 26, 2020

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Please join us for a conversation on Sustainable Development Goal #9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, which seeks to increase connectivity and productivity of developing countries’ industries and build resilient infrastructure systems to bolster economic growth.
Of the 4 billion people who lack access to the internet globally, more than 90% of them are in developing countries. Industrialization in lower- and lower-middle-income countries trails behind developed countries, while critical infrastructure and access to mobile connectivity, electricity, and sanitation remain limited. Developing countries’ industries often lack the necessary infrastructure and innovation opportunities to achieve sustainable economic growth. The result is an increasing disconnect between rural and urban areas, lack of innovation, and stagnating productivity levels.
Closing the infrastructure gap and building government capacity in developing countries would create a favorable environment for innovation and entrepreneurship and improve economic growth. Resilient and quality infrastructure systems will catalyze rapid economic development and increase the standard of living of a country’s population. Increasing official and private investment in infrastructure in developing countries, while also providing technical assistance, can help boost industrial and labor productivity.
To that end, this event will seek to answer questions about how developed countries can help lower- and lower-middle-income countries build their industries and workforce better? Furthermore, the event will also look at forms of sustainable infrastructure investments that are necessary for regions like Sub-Saharan Africa to further its efforts to industrialize and modernize its economy.
This event is part of the "Chevron Forum for Development" series focused on SDGs and made possible with general support from Chevron. So far, we have hosted events focused on SDG #7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG #16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, SDG #17: Partnerships for the Goals, SDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG #4: Quality Education. Our most recent event was SDG #1: No Poverty.

George Marshall - Defender of the Republic: An Armchair Conversation with David Roll Feb 19, 2020

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In his new book George Marshall: Defender of the Republic, David Roll chronicles the extraordinary life of American soldier and statesman George Marshall, who rose through the ranks to ultimately become Chief of Staff under Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. He later also served as Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense under President Truman. According to Winston Churchill, Marshall was World War II’s “organizer of victory,” and is considered by President Truman to be “the greatest military man that this country ever produced.”
Secretary Marshall is perhaps best known for his role in proposing and supporting the European Recovery Program – also known as the Marshall Plan – for which he was awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 1953. David Roll works to restore Secretary Marshall back to his rightful role as one of the most widely admired figures in U.S. history. Through his use of primary source evidence, Roll challenges several historical assumptions while offering an authentic and nuanced account of Secretary Marshall. In addition to discussing Secretary Marshall’s WWII legacy, Roll discusses his roles as Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and Special Envoy to China – roles that are often not considered when examining Marshall’s overall legacy.
This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.

Making the Case for Sustained U.S. Engagement in a Transitioning Afghanistan Feb 05, 2020

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In the United States, there is a sense of "Afghanistan fatigue." While there are certainly valid criticisms that can be levied against U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, a significant amount of social, economic, political, and public health progress has resulted from our engagement and Afghans' own hard work and commitment.

The under-five mortality and maternal mortality rates have nearly halved since 2000. Virtually no one in Afghanistan had electricity in 2000, but by 2016, nearly 85 percent of the population did. Women's education was practically non-existent under Taliban rule, but 3.5 million Afghan women are now enrolled in school. 170 radio stations, hundreds of print media outlets, and dozens of TV stations have opened since 2001 as free media, cell phones, television, and the internet have transformed Afghan society. GDP per capita has tripled since 2001, and official development assistance (ODA) as a percentage of central government expenditure decreased from 206 percent in 2006 to 59 percent in 2015. The Afghan National Army is now the primary group fighting the Taliban, and U.S. troop presence has dropped from 110,000 in 2011 to the current plan of 8,600. But Afghanistan's political progress and social gains are at risk of collapse if the United States chooses to completely disengage from the country. Given the mix of gains and disappointments, how do we establish the correct framework for U.S. engagement with a transitioning Afghanistan in 2020 and beyond?

This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.

Reframing the U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Relationship: A Conversation with Foreign Minister Qureshi Jan 16, 2020

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For the last 20 years, the relationship between Pakistan and the United States has been refracted through the prism of Afghanistan.

Pakistan and the U.S. have a shared interest in working toward peace in Afghanistan. Pakistan and the U.S. have an opportunity to reframe the bilateral relationship. Prime Minister Imran Khan's meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House last July is seen as a turning point for the two countries after a difficult period.

There is a good case for a broader Pakistan-U.S. partnership: Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world, located in a central geographic part of the world, has the largest percentage of young people globally, and is the native land of over one million affluent and politically engaged Pakistani Americans. There is tremendous investment opportunity for U.S. companies in Pakistan’s enormous energy, agriculture, and tourism sectors.

Please join us for a conversation with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi of Pakistan as he lays out his vision for the Pakistan-U.S. relationship.

This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.

Re-calibrating the BRI: A Conversation with Wang Huiyao Jan 14, 2020

Show notes

By: Bonnie S. Glaser

This episode explores the evolution of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the developments that have occurred since it was first introduced in 2013 as One Belt One Road. Our guest, Dr. Wang Huiyao, discusses China’s efforts to generate greater buy-in from the international community and to transform the project into a shared objective for sustainable development. He also addresses the concerns of ‘debt-trap diplomacy’ and China’s push for greater transparency and institutional collaboration.

Dr. Wang Huiyao is the Founder and President of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG); Vice Chairman of the China Association for International Economic Cooperation (CAIEC) under the Ministry of Commerce; and Counselor for the State Council of the People’s Republic of China (appointed by Premier Li Keqiang in 2015). He is also the Vice Chairman of China Western (Overseas) Returned Scholars Association; and the Vice Chairman of the China Talent Society under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

Second Annual Ocean Security Forum Jan 07, 2020

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The Stephenson Ocean Security Project invites you to the second annual CSIS Ocean Security Forum on January 7, 2020. The annual forum highlights how marine resources disputes, exacerbated by climate change and ecosystem collapse, drive instability in key regions of the globe. This year’s event will feature keynotes from U.S. Coast Guard leadership and key members of Congress and will highlight opportunities to improve security and human rights in the global fishing industry. Speakers will explore two themes:

Opportunities to address human rights violations in the seafood supply chain through U.S. policy, emerging technologies, and corporate accountability.
Implications of Chinese Belt and Road Initiative port investments on ocean sustainability and on the security and sovereignty of developing coastal states.

Please follow us on Twitter @CSISOceans

Phil Stephenson, Founder, The Philip Stephenson Foundation
Dr. Whit Saumweber, Director, Stephenson Ocean Security Project, CSIS

Dr. Dyhia Belhabib, Principal Investigator, Fisheries, Ecotrust Canada
Jonathan Hillman, Senior Fellow, Simon Chair in Political Economy, and Director, Reconnecting Asia Project, CSIS
Philip Chou, Senior Advisor, Oceana
Ernesto Fernandez Monge, Officer, Reducing Harmful Fisheries Subsidies, Pew Charitable Trusts
Moderator: Tabitha Mallory, Affiliate Professor, University of Washington, and CEO, China Ocean Institute

Roberta Elias, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, World Wildlife Fund
Bradley Soule, Chief Fisheries Analyst, OceanMind
Jenny Barker, Chief of Party, Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability, FishWise
Amol Mehra, Managing Director, The Freedom Fund
Moderator: Dr. Whit Saumweber, Director, Stephenson Ocean Security Project, CSIS

Vice Admiral Daniel B. Abel, Deputy Commandant for Operations, U.S. Coast Guard
Dr. Whit Saumweber, Director, Stephenson Ocean Security Project, CSIS

This event is made possible with the generous support of the Philip Stephenson Foundation.

The Curious Case of Fruits and Vegetables to Improve Nutrition Nov 06, 2019

Show notes

Malnutrition has the potential to bankrupt countries and prevent children from reaching their full potential. Unlike other food groups, fruits and vegetables provide beneficial outcomes across all malnutrition forms. Yet, despite the nutritional punch of fruits and vegetables, current global consumption is far below the minimum daily requirements of five portions.
Join the Global Food Security Project for the release of Seeds of Change: The Power of Fruits and Vegetables to Improve Nutrition in Tanzania, a new report focusing on how the United States and other donors are trying to boost fruit and vegetable consumption in Tanzania to improve nutrition through multisectoral and public–private approaches.
The event will feature a keynote lecture by the former Tanzanian Prime Minister, the Honorable Mizengo Pinda, which will be followed by an armchair conversation. The subsequent panel discussion will explore the unique challenges to fruit and vegetable consumption and current efforts to change dietary behavior.
This event is made possible by the generous support of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Journey to Self-Reform: Assessing the USAID Transformation Agenda Nov 05, 2019

Show notes

In recent years, USAID has undertaken several significant reforms to support developing countries on their 'journey to self-reliance.' The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently published an assessment of these reforms. The GAO established that USAID has generally addressed most key practice areas, but more work can be done. The report encourages a renewed focus on outcome-oriented performance measurements and highlights key workforce planning issues needed to support broader reform efforts.
This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.

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