McGill University's Institute for the Study of International Development (ISID)

At times like these, staying informed and engaged with political developments is more crucial than ever. With tensions between the US and Canada escalating over tariffs and trade wars, we need to tune in and understand the underlying issues at play. If there's one expert who can shed light on our current political climate, it's Bart Édes. As a Professor at McGill University, Bart brings invaluable insights into the dynamics shaping global politics and economics. At McGill University, he contributes to the McGill University's Institute for the Study of International Development (ISID), focusing on social protection in developing Asia, digital technologies for development, and investment by ASEAN-based enterprises in Canada. In our latest episode, Professor Édes and host Gaurav Bindra explore the implications of the US’s tariffs on Canada, the motivations behind these moves, and what they mean for the future of US-Canada relations. From the fentanyl crisis to Canada’s response and the broader impact on global trade, this is a critical moment we all need to be paying attention to. Stay informed, stay educated, and listen to experts like Bart W. Édes to better understand the political landscape and its impact on our countries and economies. Tune in to the episode at https://lnkd.in/gjEcAR_s #PoliticalEngagement #USCanadaRelations #GlobalEconomy #StayInformed #Leadership #TradeWars #UBC #Canada

Tomorrow (Wednesday), 1-2 PM ET, the Canadian Association of International Development Professionals (CAIDP-RPCDI) will organize a virtual discussion on the impact of sudden, sharp U.S. reductions in foreign assistance on Canada’s international development sector. The ripple effects of severe cuts to #USAID are being felt worldwide, including in Canada. #development #foreignaid #poverty #infrastructure #climateaction #genderequality #health #governance #sustainability #SDGs #elbowsup Noel Millson Christian Novak Michael Brown Jamal Saghir Rohinton Medhora Timothy James Hodges #GAC #USAID Ontario Council for International Cooperation (OCIC) Cooperation Canada #foreignassistance #MarcoRubio Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada Bob Huish Gaurav Bindra Université Sainte-Anne Besa Global McGill University's Institute for the Study of International Development (ISID) I look forward to moderating this panel, which will feature: 🎙️ Elissa Miolene – Reporter on USAID & U.S. government, Devex 🎙️ Gabrielle Bardall – Nominee, Canada Research Chair - Women, Democracy and Power in the Francophonie; Assistant Professor, Université Sainte-Anne 🎙️ Cheyanne Scharbatke-Church – Executive Director, Besa Global; Co-Director, Corruption, Justice and Legitimacy Program To register for the webinar, email caidprpcdi@gmail.com including “Registration for Foreign Aid Cuts” in the subject line. A link to the webinar will be provided to registrants before the event.

Good discussion at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Ogata Research Institute on my paper on the intangibles economy and developing countries. Here with one of my co-authors Tetsuya Harada (l) and discussant Keiji Ishigame (r) from JICA’s private sector development division. Thanks Keiji for raising the question of how to measure impact for interventions in this area. IP created or change in total factor productivity seem too instrumental, but anything broader raises questions of attribution error. Pleased to see Japan’s experience with the Kaizen approach already reflected in JICA programs, though. This provides the springboard for deeper work on what is a principal driver of growth and development.

A pleasure to be back at The Genron NPO's Tokyo Conference and subsequent conference on global economics organized by Japan's Ministry of Finance. It is hard to minimize the sense of uncertainty, even foreboding, of current events among the officials and analysts present, especially in light of an informed view of how protection, aggression and xenophobia have worked out in the past. And yet, here we are, maniacally doomed to repeat history. Harder still to talk about defined ways forward and glimmers of hope. Yet these became apparent too. One, despite the bluntness of the past six weeks, they have cemented trends that were apparent for years prior (for example on views on foreign aid, need for European security arrangements to strengthen, and new forms of friend-shoring.) Therefore, and two, configurations especially regional ones that have played second-fiddle to multilateralism, will come to the fore. Three, Asia is well positioned to chart the way - if it sheds its traditional reticence to lead on global matters. Japan remains a well-regarded preeminent middle power. Several iconic developmental success stories are located here. Managing the US on the one hand and China on the other is old hat to countries in the region. Add the wider Pacific to the mix, notably Australia and Canada, and also non-Pacific India and one has the makings of a new gravity. It may never substitute for a harmonious trans-Atlantic led system but that era seems distant and over (and there were many detractors to it even in its heyday). Early days; I am not doing justice to the breadth and depth of our discussions, but I cannot overstate the value of these annual Tokyo discussions. Catching up with colleagues and friends (Thomas Gomart, Sunjoy Joshi, James M. Lindsay, Paul Samson) an added bonus. To state the obvious, to be continued..... #TokyoConference2025

#SAVETHEDATE #Development cooperation after #USAID: Perspectives from the #GlobalSouth The US Presidential executive order freezing the Official development assistance, being provided through the #USAID, has not only affected a large number of development activities across the Global South but has also added a huge uncertainty to the international development cooperation system. This webinar wants to discuss implications for countries in the Global South, including South-South Cooperation and international development dialogue formats such as in the context of the United Nations, G20, BRICS+ and similar other platforms. Date: Friday, 28 February 2025. Time: 8.00pm Beijing time, 5.30pm Delhi time, 2.00pm Johannesburg time, 1.00pm Berlin time, 9.00am Rio de Janeiro, 7.00am Washington, D.C. Duration: 60 minutes Speakers: Sachin Chaturvedi, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)and Member Secretary of Network of Southern Think Tanks (NeST) André de Mello e Souza, Ipea - Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (IPEA) Li Xiaoyun, China Agricultural University (CAU) and Chairman of Network of Southern Think Tanks (NeST) Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) Moderation: Stephan Klingebiel, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) Full description of the webinar and registration can be found by following the link below. https://lnkd.in/e7M5-htv

The McGill University's Institute for the Study of International Development (ISID) warmly invites you to attend its yearly conference, titled “Land at the centre”, on Monday, March 17, 2025, from 8:30am to 6pm, at the Thompson House's Ballroom (3650 McTavish, Montreal, H3A 1Y2). ➡️ Agenda and other information in https://lnkd.in/eaVFFgDq ➡️ Registration is free and encouraged but not mandatory: https://lnkd.in/e2737ZjJ

Recent decisions taken on USAID have affected thousands of international development careers. ISID's Professor of Practice Bart Édes will share insights at the below online event on February 17, 9-10AM EST. https://lnkd.in/gnX6YehB

The Trump administration’s swingeing cuts to development assistance, threatened imposition of tariffs, and strategy for containing China are all set to further test #ASEAN member countries... ISID's Professor of Practice Bart Édes addressed these topics in a conversation with #Cambodia-based journalist Luke Hunt on the latest episode of The Diplomat's podcast "Beyond the #Mekong." Shannon Tiezzi https://lnkd.in/eWNsU36G

ISID's Professor of Practice Jamal Saghir contributed to the below report published by The Brookings Institution, titled "Foresight Africa - Top Priorities for the Continent - 2025-2030". Africa is facing an urgent need to meet the looming 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals and to accelerate implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Paired with an escalating climate crisis and the reverberations of conflict and global economic instability, these dynamics will require bold and coordinated policy action to address Africa’s unique challenges while leveraging its vast potential.

The below paper that was co-authored by ISID's Professor of Practice Rohinton Medhora, Harada Tetsuya and Kayo Nozawa discusses the importance of intangible assets and their implications on policy in developing countries. https://lnkd.in/epKfs-RD