ODI | Think Change

The crises of hunger in Sudan and Gaza are grave humanitarian emergencies with profound consequences for affected communities.A recent UN briefing to the Security Council stated that Sudan is set to face the “world’s worst hunger crisis”, while an international committee of experts issued a dire warning that famine is not only imminent in Northern Gaza, but a risk across the entire territory.While man-made famine continues to be used as a weapon of war for political gain, the prevailing response from international humanitarian agencies is to provide food aid. But is this really the solution? And how does it affect local humanitarian efforts?This episode dives into these questions and seeks to hold those responsible for these hunger crises to account.GuestsSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODIAlex de Waal, Executive Director of the World Peace FoundationOmima Omer Jabal, Khartoum State ERR Jabal Awliya Program OfficeHamish Young, Senior Emergency Coordinator in Gaza, State of PalestineNuha Yousif, ERR Sennar state, Programme officeRelated resourcesSounding the alarm on Sudan’s hunger crisis (ODI event recap)Sudan conflict – how did we get here and what next? (Think Change podcast) From El-Fasher to Khartoum: The fallout from 20 years of conflict in Darfur (ODI event) Sudan’s humanitarian crisis slips further from sight (ODI event recap)Humanitarian hypocrisy, double standards and the law in Gaza (ODI blog)Will the ICJ ruling change anything for Gaza? (Think Change podcast)

Global public debt is at unprecedented levels. The UN has reported that nearly half of the world’s population lives in countries that spend more paying off debts to other countries than they spend on healthcare for their own people.While needs soar as countries try to address the impact of the poly-crisis and invest significantly to transform their economies and societies, economic growth is in sharp retreat in many nations in the Global South.The World Bank is calling for donor governments to step up. They have put ‘IDA replenishment’ top of the agenda at this month’s Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.But why is the World Bank calling for this record replenishment? Join us as we explore the case for the IDA to become more effective and efficient at a time of soaring needs.GuestsSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODIAnnalisa Prizzon, Principal Research Fellow, ODISeynabou Sakho, Director of Strategy and Operations for the World Bank Office of the Managing Director of OperationsGregory Chen, MD of Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative, BRAC InternationalRelated resourcesODI on multilateral development banksODI Day at the 2024 Spring Meetings Bigger, but also better: why MDB reform must go further (ODI blog)One year on, the World Bank must focus on how to implement its Evolution Roadmap (ODI blog)Matching finance to need (Davos 2024 event video)Strengthening MDBs: the triple agenda (Annual Meetings 2023 event video)What do borrowing countries think of MDB reform? (Think Change podcast)

When it comes to development, creative and cultural practitioners are too often overlooked and underestimated as agents of change.  According to UNESCO, the creative and cultural sector is one of the most powerful engines of global development. It accounts for nearly 50 million jobs worldwide, representing 6.2% of all existing employment and 3.1% of global GDP.  On this episode, our guests discuss the immense potential of art, design and creativity to inspire social development and tackle global injustices. They unveil the ways in which creative projects are more than aesthetic pursuits – they are at the heart of change and testament to our shared humanity, fostering human connections and challenging the status quo. Join us as we explore the intersection of creativity and development, and ask why – and how – creative and policy communities must work more closely together to change the world. This episode was produced in partnership with LAGO. Guests Sara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODIFederica Fragapane, Information Designer and ODI Research Associate  Adama Sanneh,  CO-Founder and CEO, Moleskine Foundation  Marta Foresti, Visiting Senior Fellow, ODIRelated resourcesCreating our collective future: what the arts and design can do for developmentOn Freedom of Movement (wi de muv) trailer (youtube.com) Hearts and minds | How Europeans think and feel about immigrationKey workers: migrants’ contribution to the COVID-19 responseThe Beauty of Movement: arts and research for new migration narratives | ODI: Think change Data and design: making stories visible The ALIGN - Advancing Learning and Innovation on Gender Norms - Platform | Align Platform

Between 2008 and 2016, 21.5 million people a year were forcibly displaced from their homes by weather-related events, and the UNHCR predicts that globally, 1.2 billion people could be displaced by 2050 due to climate change.This represents a hugely impactful but often overlooked consequence of climate change – one we are ill equipped to deal with.With immigration expected to dominate the elections happening throughout 2024, today we are discussing how and why our changing climate is creating a new wave of migration and what this means for approaches to immigration policy and the rise of nativism.GuestsSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODIGaia Vince, Environmental Journalist and Author of Nomad Century: How climate migration will reshape our worldMichai Robertson, Research Fellow, ODIClaire Kumar, Senior Research Fellow, ODI Europe

Femicide – the intentional killing of women and girls with a gender-related motivation – affects every society around the world.According to UN Women, nearly 89,000 women and girls were killed intentionally in 2022 – the highest number recorded in the past 20 years. And over half of all female homicides were committed by family members or intimate partners.This episode puts a spotlight on this global atrocity. Experts from Italy, Kenya and Mexico share insights on how femicide is impacting their countries. We examine its root causes, how women’s movements are countering it, and what further action is urgently needed to bring about truly lasting change.While comprehensive legislation is a critical starting point, we hear why challenging gender norms which make misogyny so deeply entrenched in society is fundamental if we are to curb femicide and see transformational change.SpeakersSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODIDinah Musindarwezo, Co-CEO, Womankind WorldwideDiana Jiménez Thomas Rodriguez, Senior Research Officer, ODINicoletta Mandolini, Researcher, CECS, Universidade do Minho, PortugalRelated resourcesGender-related killings of women and girls (femicide/feminicide): Global estimates of female intimate partner/family-related homicides in 2022 (UN Women report)10 ways to transform gender norms (ALIGN booklet)Transforming gender norms for women’s economic rights and empowerment (ALIGN report)Is no space safe? Working to end gender-based violence in the public sphere (ALIGN briefing paper)Mobilising for change: how women’s social movements are transforming gender norms (ALIGN report)Think Change podcast: how can we counter the anti-feminist backlash? (ODI)From allyship to action: how men can step up to end violence against women (ODI event video/podcast)ODI in conversation with Emma Dabiri: can coalitions counter the anti-feminist backlash? (ODI event video/podcast)Women's organisations and feminist mobilisation: supporting the foundational drivers of gender equality (ODI briefing paper)

In November, South Africa approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and to consider whether Israel is committing genocide.All eyes were on the Hague last month as the ICJ made its interim ruling, calling for Israel to "take all measures within its powers" to prevent civilian deaths in Gaza. But it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire.The court also ruled that aid must be allowed into Gaza. But since then, allegations from Israel that some employees of UNRWA – Gaza's biggest aid agency – were involved in the 7 October Hamas attacks has resulted in 16 donor countries suspending UNRWA funding.In this episode, legal, humanitarian and foreign policy experts take stock of these events and dissect what the ICJ ruling really means for Israel, Gaza and wider geopolitical relations.SpeakersSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODIKate Mackintosh, Executive Director, UCLA Law Promise Institute EuropeRaz Segal, Associate Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Stockton UniversityRonak Gopaldas, Director, Signal RiskSorcha O’Callaghan, Director of Programme, Humanitarian Policy GroupRelated resourcesSouth Africa’s ICJ case has already altered its foreign policy space (Institute for Security Studies)Humanitarian hypocrisy, double standards and the law in Gaza (ODI insight)Gaza | The politics of narrative (ODI event)Israel/OPT crisis - what's needed to stop the bloodshed? (ODI podcast)Palestine and Israel - How can justice prevail? (ODI podcast)

Artificial intelligence (AI) dominated conversations at the recent World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.The release of ChatGPT to the public in December 2022 put AI firmly in the spotlight. And today it is all around us, promising to transform how we live our lives. But there are plenty of concerns and warnings about how it could impact the world. Many have sounded the alarm, even the so-called “Godfather of AI” Geoffrey Hinton, who has been vocal about the dangers of the technology he helped to create.In this episode, experts reflect on the ethical implications of these technological advances. We ask how AI can become a force for social good which empowers people globally rather than entrenching inequalities. And with over half the world due to go to the polls in 2024, what impact will AI have on politics in this major election year and beyond?SpeakersSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODIVilas Dhar, President, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, and advocate of data and AI for goodGabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General, Social and Human Sciences, UNESCOStephanie Diepeveen, Senior Research Fellow, ODIResourcesHas AI ushered in an existential crisis of trust in democracy? (ODI insight)International AI Governance must be truly global (ODI insight)

Last year was a bumpy one for the global economy, with sluggish growth, high inflation, tightened monetary policy and instability in the financial sector. This all played out against a backdrop of increased geopolitical tensions and fiscal pressures.This second podcast in our two-part mini-series on 2024 trends examines the global economic outlook for the year ahead. Will the next 12 months be defined by more uncertainty, or are there reasons to be optimistic about changes ahead?Experts discuss the big economic trends and developments to watch out for in 2024, including the outlook for global trade, prospects for India’s economy and green investment, and what needs to happen to tackle persistent income inequality within and between countries.SpeakersSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODIArancha González Laya, Dean of the Paris School of International AffairsRathin Roy, Visiting Senior Fellow, ODIMichael Jacobs, Professor of Political Economy, University of Sheffield & ODI Visiting Senior FellowRelated resourcesThink Change episode 37: what trends will shape 2024? Part 1

2023 has been another year marked by major crises. This final episode reflects on where we are now, and the major global themes shaping 2024.The world is at a pivotal moment as we try to cope with multiple, interconnected crises. The number of people fleeing war, persecution and violence is at an estimated 114 million, against a backdrop of rising geo-political tensions, carbon emissions, food and energy crises, and economic instability.All this comes at a time when systems are overwhelmed, and international cooperation remains fragmented. But are there reasons for optimism?Next year will be the biggest election year in history with more than half the world due to exercise their right to vote, putting the spotlight on the state of global democracy.In this episode our guests share their unique perspective on the major themes and forces shaping 2024.SpeakersSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODIIan Bremmer, President and Founder, Eurasia GroupAlexis Akwagyiram, Managing Editor, Semafor AfricaKathryn Nwajiaku-Dahou, Director of Programme, Politics and Governance, ODI

An increase in modern slavery in the last five years has been met with a decrease in the political will needed to address it.But what can consumers do to make more ethical choices this holiday season and beyond? In this episode we navigate the intricate web of human trafficking, exploitation and forced labour within global supply chains. We put the spotlight on the retail industry, exposing its role in the disproportionate vulnerability of women and children to forced labour.Our guests delve into the evolving response of the world to human trafficking challenges, exploring the complexities tied to migration and government policies. As the discussion unfolds, the conversation draws crucial links to the theme of sustainability and provides practical advice for consumers.~Join Sara Pantuliano and guests in this exploration of ethical consumerism, human rights and the collective responsibility to create a sustainable world.SpeakersSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODINasreen Sheikh, Survivor, Author and Social EntrepreneurGrace Forrest, Founding Director, Walk FreeEkaette Ikpe, Director, African Leadership Centre, Kings College London, and ODI board memberRelated resourcesWalk FreeLocal Women's HandicraftsAfrica Fashion Futures: Creative economies, global networks and local developmentAfrican Fashion Futures podcastIntertwined: Fashion, Textile and Heritage in Nigeria exhibition at King's College London, 2022 and African Leadership Centre, NairobiIkpe E, England, L., and Comunian, R. (Forthcoming). Fashion designers as lead firms from below: creative economy, state capitalism and internationalisation in Lagos and Nairobi. Competition and Change.

The rights and treatment of refugees is never far from the media headlines. Hostile narratives and politicised rhetoric dominate the news at a time when globally, solidarity for refugees continues to decline.But with devastating conflict and climate hazards forcing more and more people from their homes, is the international community failing on its shared commitment to refugees?It’s been five years since the global compact on refugees was established in 2018, a commitment that enshrines responsibility to governments, international organisations, and other stakeholders to support refugees and host communities.With the Global Refugee Forum due to take place in Geneva this December, on this episode we look critically at the difference these agreements can make and how can we hold signatories to account. We ask our guests if the vision of global solidarity for refugees and their hosts is still achievable.SpeakersSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODIShaza Alrihawi, Human Rights Activist, Global Refugee NetworkZoe Gardner, Migration Policy SpecialistAmanda Gray Meral, Research Fellow, ODILauren Post Thomas, Senior Advocacy Officer, Hilton Foundation

The Global Food Security Summit is about to get under way, where political leaders and experts will come together to discuss how to make urgent progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: to achieve zero hunger and end all forms of malnutrition by 2030.Around 345 million people experience acute food insecurity according to the World Food Programme – an increase of 200 million compared to pre-pandemic levels. And the UN has warned we are not on track to achieve this global goal.So how did we get here? And do these alarming numbers mask longer-term progress towards achieving SDG 2?This episode paints a full picture of global hunger and malnutrition today. We ask whether the food system is really broken, and how the humanitarian system can better respond to food crises around the world. Our guests also share their hopes for what can be achieved at the upcoming Summit.SpeakersSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODIValerie Guarnieri, Deputy Executive Director, Programme and Policy Development, World Food ProgrammeDr Stella Nordhagen, Senior Technical Specialist, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)Dr Luka Biong Deng Kuol, Adjunct professor at Institute of Peace, Development and Security Studies, University of Juba, South SudanSteve Wiggins, Principal Research Fellow, ODI

The world today is grappling with a multitude of conflicts, each of which different levels of global attention.In this episode, we shine a spotlight on a deeply under-reported humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh (also known as Artsakh), situated in the South Caucasus. Historically predominantly inhabited by Armenians, Nagorno-Karabakh falls within the internationally recognised borders of Azerbaijan.On September 19, 2023, after decades of simmering tension and warfare, Azerbaijan launched an offensive against the ethnic Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh. This offensive came after more than nine months of a complete blockade imposed by Azerbaijan, resulting in the displacement of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians. Prominent experts and humanitarian organisations have condemned this offensive as an act of ethnic cleansing.This episode delves into the dire humanitarian situation in the region in the wake of these events and explores the future prospects for its ethnic Armenian population.SpeakersSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODILara Setrakian, journalist and Founder, Applied Policy Research Institute of ArmeniaGeoffrey Robertson, Human Rights barrister and co-head of Doughty Street ChambersSiranush Sargysan, freelance journalist from Nagorno-KarabakhResourcesLessons from an unending conflict (The Daily podcast, New York Times)Resolution on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s attack and the continuing threats against Armenia (European Parliament)Nagorno-Karabakh resources (Human Rights Watch)Azerbaijan: Blockade of Lachin corridor putting thousands of lives in peril must be immediately lifted (Amnesty International)A humanitarian disaster is under way in Nagorno-Karabakh (The Economist)What cultural genocide looks like for Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh (TIME)

We are now two weeks into the latest escalation of the long and bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas. A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Gaza, prompting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to call for an immediate ceasefire to stop the indiscriminate bombing of civilians and civilian objects.But on the same day, a UN Security Council Resolution calling for a ‘humanitarian pause’ was blocked by the US government – with the UK and Russia abstaining. Political action is needed now but global leaders are in a diplomatic gridlock, which risks further destabilising the region.In this episode, experts discuss the horrifying situation in Gaza and what action is needed immediately to uphold international humanitarian law and stop the bloodshed.Speakers:Sara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODIRobert Mardini, Director-General, ICRCSari Bashi, Program Director, Human Rights WatchIhsan Adel, Founder and Chair of Law for Palestine, international lawyerSorcha O’Callaghan, Director of Humanitarian Policy Group, ODI

The question of how multilateral development banks (MDBs) must transform themselves to address today’s most pressing global challenges will again be under the spotlight at next week’s World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings in Marrakech.Business as usual will no longer do. In this episode – produced in collaboration with the Center for Global Development – we ask what the countries these banks were set up to serve think about how MDBs should adapt and evolve. After all, their demands and preferences should shape the lending volumes, strategies and operations of MDBs.But the reality is we know little about these preferences, what client countries value about MDBs, and what they think the banks’ weaknesses are – potentially curbing their demand for assistance in the medium to long term.SpeakersSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODIMasood Ahmed, President of the Center for Global DevelopmentAnnalisa Prizzon, Principal Research Fellow, ODIMavis Owusu-Gyamfi, Executive Vice President of the African Center for Economic TransformationAmadou Hott, Special Envoy for the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa, AfDB and former Minister of Economy, Planning, and Cooperation of SenegalIyabo Masha, Director and Head of Secretariat, G24Related resourcesODI at the Annual MeetingsMDBs can drive transformative change – now the G20 must inject urgency and sustain its supportCountry perspectives on multilateral development banks: a survey analysisA fair share of climate finance? An appraisal of past performance, future pledges and prospective contributorsMDB Reform Accelerator (Center for Global Development) Interactive African Transformation Index (African Center for Economic Transformation)

The High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly is about to get under way. This is a significant year because it marks a halfway point in the delivery of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs or ‘Global Goals’), which were adopted in a 2015 UN resolution known as Agenda 2030.These goals were designed to provide a "shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.” Following the Covid-19 pandemic and other compounding shocks which we’ve come to call the “poly-crisis”, there has been much debate about how to get the SDGs back on track. But were they achievable in the first place? And as governments face stark trade-offs in the face of multiple crises, how useful are the SDGs as a framework for navigating them?This episode examines what collective progress has been made towards Agenda 2030, and what a post-Agenda 2030 could look like.SpeakersSara Pantuliano, Chief Executive, ODI (host)Ambassador David Donoghue, ODI Distinguished FellowRachel Kyte, the 14th Dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts UniversityAmbassador Macharia Kamau, Kenya's Principal Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign AffairsRelated resourcesWhat are the Sustainable Development Goals? (UN Development Programme)

Following the Israeli government’s recent attacks in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and against its own Supreme Court, our new Think Change podcast explores the growing threat to human rights for all those affected.According UN experts, the recent Israeli air strikes and ground operations in the occupied West Bank focussing on the Jenin refugee camp, which left many dead and displaced 4000 people, constitute war crimes and a violation of international law.As Israel’s far-right government continues to attack its own checks and balances, we look at the chilling effect this could have on democratic values around the world. After five decades of occupation, what are the implications of a ‘one state reality’ for human rights and the rule of law?SpeakersSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODIKenneth Roth, attorney, human rights activist, and writerFrancesca Albanese, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territoriesIhsan Adel, lawyer, PhD researcher and Founder and Chair of Law for PalestineRelated resourcesSpecial Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967

On the cusp of the Women Deliver Conference in Kigali, Rwanda this episode explores the growing anti-rights agenda relating to women and sexual minorities.Women’s rights and freedoms are being compromised and are under threat in many parts of the world. Well-funded, ultra conservative forces are pushing a narrative which directly targets the liberties of women, girls and sexual minorities.How can we counter the anti-feminist backlash in a coordinated and effective way? Can advocates for women’s rights work together to confront and dismantle this dangerous trend? And what role can global pacts and policy movements play in the face of landmark legislation such as Roe v Wade being overturned? We speak to four experts heading to Kigali about the challenges, and reflect on how feminists movements might come together to present a coordinated response.SpeakersSara Pantuliano, Chief Executive, ODIMaliha Khan, President and CEO, Women DeliverEvelyne Opondo, Director of the International Center for Research on Women, AfricaAlvaro Bermejo, Director General, International Planned Parenthood FederationAyesha Khan, Senior Research Fellow, ODIRelated resourcesFacing the backlash: what is fuelling anti-feminist and anti-democratic forces? (Align platform)LGBTQI+ rights are not just for Pride MonthODI in conversation with Emma Dabiri: can coalitions counter the anti-feminist backlash?Think Change episode 5: how can global feminists help fight back on Roe?From allyship to action: how men can step up to end violence against womenHow to partner with feminist movements for transformative change

To mark Refugee Week, we highlighting the transformational impact that refugee leadership and expertise can bring to refugee responses.The importance of refugee leadership is now widely recognised. It is a key focus of the Global Compact on Refugees, which pledges to support refugee-led organisations (RLOs) and enable meaningful participation.But is this rhetoric materialising into practical action on the ground? Is refugee leadership taken seriously at an international level? Why is there a gap between theoretical pledges and tangible support? And what needs to happen now to strengthen refugee leadership and drive meaningful change?Experts from some of the world’s leading refugee-led organisations discuss the opportunities and challenges they face.SpeakersSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODIRez Gardi, international lawyer, human rights advocate & Co-Managing Director of Refugees Seeking Equal Access at the Table (R-SEAT)Jean Marie Ishimwe, refugee advocate, journalist, and Partnerships Lead & Co-Founder At Youth Voices CommunityAnila Noor, refugee activist, speaker, researcher and Founder of New Women ConnectorsRelated resourcesWhat do Europeans really think about migrants? (ODI podcast)To address complex refugee problems, the refugee regime should be accountable to the population it serves (ODI blog)Refugees and IDPs need to be included in public services, how do we do this in practice? (ODI blog)

Next week, world head to Paris for the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact.In the words of French President Emmanuel Macron, the Summit will ‘provide a forum to take stock on all the means and ways of increasing financial solidarity within the South.'It builds on the so-called Bridgetown Initiative launched at COP by Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, but goes beyond Bridgetown’s climate focus to cover a broad range of issues, from poverty and human development to the debt crisis.Politically, the message is clear: this Summit will be different from the others. This time, there will be true pledges and concrete deliverables. This time, it is all about building a new contract between the North and the South.Is this realistic? Can we expect a true dialogue this time? And what is at stake if this Summit doesn’t deliver on its promises?Related resourcesWhere has the money come from to finance rising climate ambition? (ODI emerging analysis)Multilateral development banks as catalysts for private sector mobilisation: in conversation with EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso (ODI event video)The time is now: what the World Bank’s (R)evolution Roadmap should look like (ODI insight)Open letter to new World Bank President Ajay Banga: be the catalyst for reform the World Bank so urgently need (ODI insight)~Governance of multilateral development banks: Options for reform (ODI report)Think Change episode 22: On borrowed time? The sovereign debt crisis in the Global South (ODI podcast)