22 March 2016 11:30 – 13:00 (GMT+00) | Public event
Kick-starting more inclusive economic development processes in the world’s poorest countries is one of the most important remaining challenges in international development. However, because of the way politics works, it is also one of the most difficult. This is a reason for international development agencies to get involved. But it also means any support must be politically smart. To be politically smart, support to economic development needs to be targeted, flexible and adaptive. It should also be funded at arm’s length, so nationals of the country can lead the main reform effort. Recent initiatives supported by DFID in Nepal and Nigeria show how this approach can be operationalised and illustrate its substantial potential.
This event examines lessons from two new ODI publications, a report edited by David Booth and co-authored with DFID economists and governance advisers, and an ODI Insights policy brief on economic development, and is followed by a networking lunch.
Opening address:
Rt Hon Desmond Swayne TD MP – Minister of State for International Development
Introduced by Marta Foresti – Director of Governance, Security and Livelihoods, ODI
Chair:
Eka Ikpe – Lecturer in Development Economics in Africa, Kings College
Speakers:
Ann Grant – Non-Executive Director, Tullow Oil and ODI board member
David Booth – Senior Research Fellow, ODI
Nick Lea – Deputy Chief Economist, Department for International Development
Alex MacGillivray – Director of Development Impact, CDC
Photo credit: Cristiano Zingale, 2014