Harvard Center for International Development

In this episode, we delve into the complex dynamics between mega-sporting events and human rights. Vijay Simhan from Humanity United offers valuable insights into funding strategies for narrative, research and advocacy, drawing from the foundation's work in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Thays Prado from the Center for Sport and Human Rights emphasizes the crucial role of centering women and gender minorities in stakeholder engagement throughout the event lifecycle.

Whether as spectators, players, coaches, or executives, sports bring people together and have the potential to drive improvements in education, health, and labor across the globe. In this episode, we explore the transformative power of sports in community building and international development. Mariana Behr Andrade, Global Sports Initiative Fellow at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center, who spearheaded impact initiatives for the Rio Olympics, discusses how sports can improve education outcomes, while legendary hockey coach Digit Murphy highlights gender representation in athletics.

In this episode, we’re diving into the power of narrative in international development. More than just storytelling, narrative has become a critical tool—from shaping program design to influencing funding decisions. Donors and practitioners alike are recognizing the role of narrative in advancing sustainable development goals. But what exactly does "narrative" mean in this context, and how can we use it effectively to create real change? We'll explore how narrative can be both a means and an end in the push for a more equitable and sustainable world. Joining us to unpack this are Mandy Van Deven, founder of Both/And Solutions and co-lead of Elemental, Chiara Cattaneo, co-lead of Elemental, and Paco Camacho, Director of the Law and Human Rights Program for the Asia Foundation in the Philippines.

In this episode, we dive into reproductive justice—exploring abortion access in Latin America and menstrual rights in India. How can we advance reproductive rights while navigating religious, intergenerational and cultural landscapes? We’ll discuss the intersections of labor, health, and policy. First, we speak with Paula Avila-Guillen, human rights attorney and Executive Director at the Women’s Equality Center, about the ongoing fight for abortion rights in Latin America. Then, we head to India, where Ananya Chaocharia, founder of Paint it Red Foundation, walks us through the movement for menstrual rights.

In this episode, we explore the care economy, delving into the crucial roles of care for children, elders, and others from an economic perspective. Who is truly investing in care, and who benefits from these investments? We’re joined by Nancy Folbre, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, who analyzes care as an intergenerational exchange and a vital investment. Following her insights, we’ll hear from Ana Fernanda Hierro, Technical Secretary of Consejo Nuevo León, who discusses best practices at the local level in the state of Nuevo León, Mexico.

In this episode, we unpack what “scaling up” truly means in international development—not just expanding for growth’s sake, but doing so with intentionality to maximize impact. We’re joined by Jossie Fahsbender, Senior Program Manager at IMAGO, and Siddhant Gokhale, Senior Knowledge Manager at IMAGO, co-authors of Scaling Up Development Impact alongside Harvard Professor Isabel Guerrero. Jossie and Siddhant share real-world examples of how this approach has empowered agents of change, discuss the challenges of scaling in diverse cultural contexts, and explore how community-centered solutions are shaping the future of development.

In this episode, we explore the dynamic relationship between education policy and human development in the Global South. Dr. Emiliana Vegas, a professor at the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. She shares her wealth of experience and insights. From advocating for micro-inputs to promoting comprehensive support systems, Dr. Vegas offers valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of education reform. Tune in as we delve into the crucial role of contextual understanding and collaboration with local leaders in designing effective, culturally relevant, and sustainable education policies. Hosted by Usama Mohammed, a student at Harvard's Graduate School of Education.

In this episode, we explore women's economic empowerment with Diva Dhar from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Varina Winder from the US State Department, and Wendy Teleki from the World Bank. Together, they share their unique approaches to addressing economic opportunities for women, discussing pivotal moments for women in low and medium-income countries, areas of progress, and existing gaps. Discover how inclusive economic growth for women fosters positive impacts on families and communities, along with insights into women's entrepreneurship. Hosted by Priyanka Varma, a student at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

In this episode of our Road to GEM24 podcast series, Javed Malik, Program Director of the Malala Fund in Pakistan, dives into the realms of education, governance, and development. Tune in to listen to discussions on the role of evidence-based policymaking, challenges in education delivery, and the imperative of gender-focused interventions. Hosted by Usama Mohammed, a student at Harvard's Graduate School of Education

Join us as we dive into strategies to foster investment in female founders, with a special focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Our guests, Katherine Coffman from Harvard Business School and Hela Cheikhrouhou from the International Finance Corporation, shed light on the barriers and disparities faced by female founders and advocate for gender-specific approaches to funding. Hosted by Alison Kim, a student at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Dive into the vibrant LGBTQ+ movements of Lebanon and Mexico in our latest episode of "Zooming Into the LGBTQ+ Movement." Join us as we speak with two remarkable activists and entrepreneurs, Tarek Zeidan and Enrique Torre Molina. Tarek is the founder of Helem, the pioneering LGBTQ+ organization in the Arab world, while Enrique co-founded Colmena 41, an organization bridging entrepreneurship, advocacy, and narrative for the LGBTQ+ community. Stay tuned until the end to hear insights from all our guests on the future of international development in our "Zooming In and Out" segment. Hosted by Harvard Kennedy School MPA student, Evy Peña.

Join us as we zoom into the LGBTQ+ movement in Brazil and Kenya with Antonia Moreira (Atelier TRANSmoras Association) and Enosa Adera (Trans* Alliance). Antonia brings the power of fashion to the forefront, using it as a catalyst for advocacy and community building in Brazil. Meanwhile, in Kenya, Enosa confronts a legal landscape of criminalization, employing policy advocacy and representation to instigate transformative change. Evy Peña, HKS student, hosts this dynamic conversation uncovering the crossroads of identity, activism, and resilience.

Join Diego Garcia Blum, Director of the Global LGBTQI+ Human Rights Program at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, and Professor Tim McCarthy, a Lecturer at Harvard Kennedy School and at the Harvard School of Education. Together, they navigate the complex terrain of the LGBTQ+ movement worldwide, delving into misinformation, elections, narrative strategies, and the enduring spirit of hope as the international sector continues to broaden its definition of gender. Hosted by Evy Peña, MPA student at HKS.

Join Harvard University's Center for International Development for the inaugural episode of 2024’s Road to GEM podcast series, setting the stage for CID's annual conference, which this year focuses on gender and development. In this episode, CID Executive Director Fatema Z. Sumar and Research Fellow Mara Bolis engage in a thought-provoking conversation about gender and international development—reflecting on the sector's progress, current status, and the path ahead. Drawing from their extensive field experiences, Fatema and Mara offer compelling perspectives on the necessary actions to shape a future where every individual, regardless of gender, can thrive. Hosted by Evy Peña, MPA student at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government

Welcome to the Harvard Center for International Development’s “Road to GEM23” Climate & Development podcast. CID's "Road to GEM23" series precedes and helps launch CID’s Global Empowerment Meeting (or GEM), Growing in a Green World on May 10th and 11th. At CID, we work across a global network of researchers and practitioners to build, convene, and deploy talent to address the world’s most pressing challenges. On our Road to GEM23, we strive to elevate and learn from voices from the countries on the frontlines of the climate crisis and will feature important learnings from the leaders who will be active participants at GEM23. This week, we are joined by Atharv Agrawal, Wajed Nadine El-Halabi & Jina Yazdanpanah from University of Toronto to discuss their fog harvesting technology in Morocco and other climate related research. Read more about GEM here: www.hks.harvard.edu/gem

In this interview, Charles Hua, senior at Harvard College and CID student ambassador, speaks with Xavier Cortada and Adam Roberti. Cortada, a Cuban-American artist, seamlessly works across disciplines to engage communities, urging them to draw upon local experiences and unlock their inherent creativity. Adam Roberti is the executive director of the Xavier Cortada Foundation. Discover how Cortada and Riberti leverage socially engaged art as a powerful tool, creating experiences that educate, inspire, and mobilize communities to collectively combat climate and ecological crises. The conversation delves into the profound impact of art in solving community problems, emphasizing the importance of tapping into the creativity, knowledge, and wisdom of those residing on the front line, offering a unique perspective on how art can be a driving force for change.

Navigating Cities and Climate Change by Harvard Center for International Development

Join Charles Hua, senior at Harvard College and CID student ambassador, as he engages in a thought-provoking interview with Shayan Chowdury, Founder of Reach4Help. This tech nonprofit is on a mission to connect people in need with trusted volunteer help across more than 38 countries, effectively coordinating logistics to understand needs and mobilize resources where they're most needed. Chowdury shares the organization's response to disasters, such as floods and fires, recognizing them as direct effects of climate change. This realization compelled him to shift focus and tackle the root cause—climate change itself. Discover how Reach4Help adopts a bottom-approach, relying on the expertise of local communities and providing space for on-the-ground experts in disaster relief.

Unlock the power of data democratization in our latest episode featuring Wolfgang Fengler, CEO of World Data Lab. As the driving force behind an initiative that aims to democratize data globally, Fengler discusses the urgent need to shift from backward-looking data to to break down data into relevant and actionable pieces, with a focus on critical areas like global emissions for informed decision-making and sustainable development. Join us as we delve into the challenges of organizing and harnessing and breaking down available data into relevant and actionable pieces in order to democratize information.

Welcome to the Harvard Center for International Development’s Road to GEM23 Climate & Development podcast. At CID, we work across a global network of researchers and practitioners to build, convene, and deploy talent to address the world’s most pressing challenges. On our Road to GEM23, we strive to elevate and learn from voices from the countries on the frontlines of the climate crisis and will feature learnings from leading researchers and practitioners working to combat climate change. In this episode, we are joined by Shloka Nath, CEO of the India Climate Collaborative (ICC); and Manavi Bhardwaj, Senior Manager at ICC. The India Climate Collaborative is a first-of-its kind, India-focused collaborative that seeks to direct funding and visibility towards climate action in India. The ICC is incubated by the Tata Trusts, and legally registered as the Council of Philanthropies for Climate Action. Shloka and Manavi are joined by Manasa Acharya, a CID Student Ambassador alum and a graduate of urban planning at the Harvard Graduate School of Design 23'. The three discussed the work of the India Climate Collaborative and the role of climate philanthropy to scale solutions in the country.