Research for Development Impact Network’s Post

Excited to share positive developments in #Belgium's development policy and Civil Society Organization (CSO) funding! 🌍 Their stable approach, coupled with a progressive co-financing program, prioritizes CSO autonomy. It's great to see CSOs retaining significant control over funding allocation, with decreasing concerns about instrumentalization. Additionally, Belgium's increased investment in global citizenship education sets a commendable example for other nations. Helsen, L., Huyse, H., Schulpen, L. W. M., & Pollet, I. (2024). Government funding of CSOs in a rapidly changing world: Evidence from six OECD-countries. The report summarizes the findings of a study on government funding (ODA) for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in six European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK), examining trends over the past five years. It highlights the impact of global crises such as COVID-19 and the Ukraine conflict, as well as shifts in development priorities and challenges to civic space. Excellent study by Lara Helsen Huib Huyse Lau Schulpen Ignace Pollet https://lnkd.in/dZJm_cHa HIVA-KU Leuven Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium Caroline Gennez Heidy Rombouts, PhD 11.11.11 Fiabel ngo-federatie #SDG4point7 #GCE #SDG17

Ive been reading for years about Africa & have often found a rather overweighted representation from global north that gives significant attention to external interests from those of African nations (even if we assume that some of those interests do align organically). The approach to Africa becomes inherently extractive. It is important that spaces like African Centre for the Study of the United States exist; when one surveys the global scene, the Centre serves as one of the gap fillers among global think tank and policy centers around this subject. The point is that without having spaces that channel the voices of intellectuals who are Africanists at home and abroad, we as Africans around the world miss an invaluable opportunity to spread the messages of our communities to the policy world in a targeted manner. In signaling to the United States that Africans are paying attention to the U.S. presence in Africa, it can address African & U.S. citizens about the level of urgency ones must apply to our respective nation with whom to reconsider some of their policies & broaden deepen funding for other policies in the interest of Africa's development. This discussion is not a new discussion, but the presence of the African Centre for the Study of the United States adds an important and intentional voice with potential power in collective bargaining and international solidarity. I think that multiple African nations would be wise to establish a Centre in their most funded institution or serve as an external sponsor to this Centre in effort to expedite knowledge production and knowledge transfer to inform researchers and writers when delivering their analysis on US-African relations. It will be important as an African Diasporan in the United States to hear feedback from scholars moving with intention toward the African Centre for the Study of the United States to speak to areas in which there is seeming widespread disapproval of specific US policies that stand or bills being presented, recommendations for ways in which African nations are willing & capable of extending international solidarity to the legislative & public demands for reparations to the traditional African Diasporas in the Western Hemisphere, & policies that African nations recommend for African nations to curtail extractive imperialism on the Continent where it presents. At the micro level, I would love commentary from this center on the issue of the three U.S. nationals who have been sentenced in the Democratic Republic of Congo and to delineate ways we differentiate this from historical U.S. involvement in the assassination of Lumumba from continental African voices. My question to Africanists: "In what ways can ones support this space to project African interests when it concerns the United States and what are your prerequisites for collaboration?"

The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) is hosting a four-day UNDP-funded Digital Democracy Governance Initiative (DDGI) Workshop, running from September 9-12, 2024. This initiative aims to support digital governance in the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tonga, and the Federated States of Micronesia, promoting a human rights-based approach to digitalization. Led by experts from The University of the South Pacific (USP), the workshop includes participation from various government ministries and focuses on enhancing skills in digital governance to improve citizen engagement, information access, and government accountability. Key speakers include Hon. John Tuhaika Jr., Minister for Public Service, Dr. Raluca Eddon, Deputy Resident Representative for Solomon Islands, and Dr. Hugo Bugoro, Director of Research at SINU. The workshop fosters collaboration to ensure that digital solutions respect privacy and freedom of expression, while tailoring strategies to meet the region’s unique needs. Participants are equipped with the tools to design people-centered and rights-based digital initiatives, laying a strong foundation for advancing digital democracy across the Pacific. #DigitalDemocracy #Governance #HumanRights #SINU #PacificDigitalTransformation #UNDP #SolomonIslands #USP

The objective of the SDG Initiative, implemented by GIZ, is to support the government of the Republic of South Africa in achieving evidence-based policy implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the National Development Plan (NDP). The project aims at strengthening the coordination capacity of the Policy and Research Services Unit (PRS) in The Presidency for effective policy coordination and implementation across all sectors of government. In addition to technical support for the PRS, the Initiative will support the SDG Initiative Secretariat hosted by the University of Pretoria’s Albert Luthuli Leadership Institute (ALLI) and further develop the ALLI-based SDG Hub's knowledge platform on Agenda 2030-relevant research outputs. #SDG #NDP #PRS #governance #policyimplementation #2030Agenda #sustainabledevelopment Find out more about the SDGI, read the attached factsheet or follow this link ➡ https://lnkd.in/dhKGVt6g 🔍Project description Title: SDG initiative, South Africa Commissioned by: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)) Country: South Africa Lead executing agency: The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa

Rodney, your reflections on the overrepresentation of Global North interests in Africa are timely and crucial. As someone deeply invested in reshaping the U.S.-Africa policy landscape, I fully agree that African voices need to be at the forefront of these discussions. The creation of platforms like the African Centre for the Study of the United States is a step in the right direction, but much more is needed. I believe that beyond #knowledge production, there must be a concerted effort to influence U.S. policies directly—especially around issues like #funding, #development, and addressing historical #imbalances. African nations, in collaboration with #diaspora communities, have a unique opportunity to reshape these dynamics, particularly when it comes to supporting policies that promote mutual growth rather than #extractive practices. How do you see institutions like ACSUS contributing to a more balanced and equitable U.S.-Africa relationship, and what role do you think African intellectuals, both at home and in the diaspora, can play in accelerating this shift?

VIIMES Initiative on Palestine full pledged UN Membership The Vienna International Institute on Middle East Studies (VIIMES) organized a special event on Palestine under the theme: “Roadmap Towards a Prosperous life for the Palestinians”, on 17th January 2024 at the Institute’s premises under the Chatham Rule. The aim of the meeting was to bring about concrete proposals on ways and means to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as matter of urgency as well as for future deliberations leading to just and lasting peace in Palestine. In this regard, granting full pledged membership of the United Nations to the observer State of Palestine was given priority by the seven panelists who made presentations in relation to different aspects of the event. As think tank committed to Middle East issues of common interest, the VIIMES is committed to ensure a follow-up of concrete proposals made already at the meeting, working in coordination and partnership for the realization of the proposed peaceful and fruitful options. To this end, the VIIMES exhorts the international community, key actors, and regional groups in the UN to back the Palestine National Authority official application for full pledged membership of the UN to be conveyed soon to the Secretary General of the United Nations. The full pledged membership for the Palestinian State is in adequation with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclamation an international Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian people on 1977, and with the UN commemoration, for the first time, the 75th anniversary of the Nakba on 15 May 2023. The Palestinian request will represent a legitimate step further in the Palestine State status as it was granted a non-member observer state status in the United Nations on 29 November 2012. It is to be recalled that as of 2 June 2023, 139 UN member States have recognized the State of Palestine. The VIIMES urges all beloving peace member States to bring the necessary help and assistance for smooth and successful consideration of the official application of the State of 2 Palestine, by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and its recommendation to the UN General Assembly. Same attention should be given to the consideration by the UNGA of the admission of Palestine as full pledged Member of the United Nations. In this context, the VIIMES exhorts UN members States to reach the two-thirds majority vote required in the Assembly for the admission of Palestine as a new Member State. Membership becomes effective the date the resolution for admission is adopted.

Saturday marked 61 years since the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now African Union; and I spent the day in Osun, a state in southwestern #Nigeria. Inspired by Dr. Hesphina Rukato’s post, I am reading speeches made by the founding presidents at the first OAU summit in May 1963. Often, people do not differentiate the African Union (member states/ countries and their presidents) from the African Union Commission (AUC), the secretariat. I think the latter has more potential to be effective if run by competent individuals who are not stifled by the politics of the Union, and the outgoing AUC commissioner hinted at that in a more candid speech at this year’s summit. The Commission has inherent limitations in shaping Africa’s trajectory, even if it wills it, and that is why #Africa must get politics and economics right at the local and national levels. Lately, the AU’s convening power is challenged too, by UCGs, which were predicted in some of the 1963 speeches, particularly Nkrumah’s statement on page 44. Despite a rather bleak reflection, I believe a better-governed Africa is achievable; if not for us, then most certainly for future generations —and that possibility is exciting and worth contributing to. #Africa #governance #reflections

The mission of the Oxford Forum for International Development is to foster dialogue, collaboration, and innovation in the field of international development to achieve a positive impact. Oxford Forum for International Development: OxFID is one of the largest student-led development conferences in Europe, drawing in attendees from the UK, as well as internationally, every single year. Since 2008, OxFID has been facilitating conversation and collaboration between actors in international development, inspiring attendees to engage with global issues, and providing opportunities for networking and dialogue across a range of sectors and disciplines. We find ourselves in a period of re-evaluating how, as an international community, progress can be a sustainable and achievable goal for all, not a few. Bringing a host of impressive speakers and stimulating panels, we wish to develop a forum: an inclusive space where attendees and speakers alike may share ideas and begin the process of making change. OxFID 2024: Exploring the Conflict-Development Nexus: The central themes for OxFID 2024 address the critical intersection of violence and conflict within the realm of international development. We will discuss contemporary manifestations of violence and mechanisms of conflict. This will be paired with perspectives on the aftermath of conflict, post-conflict scenarios, the roles of policy, diplomacy and humanitarian work to understand the intricacies of rebuilding communities and fostering resilience. Addressing violence and conflict within the context of international development is imperative for creating sustainable and equitable societies. OxFID 2024 provides a unique opportunity to engage with these critical issues, offering actionable insights that contribute to positive global change. #OxFID #peacebuilding #internationaldevelopment

📌 UNOSSC Senior Policy Development Advisor Samba Thiam introduced the 2024 Report of the United Nations Secretary-General on the State of #SouthSouthCooperation to the Economic and Financial Committee (2nd Committee) of the UN General Assembly. “Developing countries are assuming leadership roles in global economic governance,” said Mr. Thiam, noting that, “Key challenges faced by UN entities include a lack of institutional arrangements, necessary capacity, and funding for scaled-up South-South cooperation support.” The report of the SG analyses #SouthSouth and #TriangularCooperation trends and opportunities. It also highlights United Nations support provided to Member States through policies and programmes that mainstream South-South and triangular cooperation at all levels. Read the report: https://bit.ly/4eTTrJa With Dima Al-Khatib, Achim Steiner and UNDP.

President Yoweri Museveni's address at the International Development Association's (IDA) Summit for African Heads of State provided a compelling narrative that encapsulates the prevailing geopolitical and socio-economic dynamics of the continent. His unequivocal stance on rejecting the historical patterns of exploitation by more developed nations underscores a burgeoning sentiment among African leadership. President Museveni's resolute commitment to safeguarding national interests and the welfare of citizens is emblematic of the leadership imperative required in contemporary Africa. The strategic prioritization of our continent's natural resources, the fostering of sustainable job creation, and the advancement of industrial autonomy are essential for long-term economic sovereignty. In his speech, President Museveni emphasized the imperative for African nations to eschew short-term economic gains in favor of comprehensive industrialization strategies. This paradigm shift is crucial for augmenting value retention within our borders and enhancing the fiscal resilience of our economies. As African leaders, the collective endeavor must be to fortify our resolve in the stewardship of our minerals, to champion the cause of employment security, and to safeguard the prospects of future generations. This clarion call to action is not merely a defensive posture against external pressures but a proactive strategy for self-determined progression. It is incumbent upon all African heads of state to stand in solidarity on this front, ensuring that we navigate the global stage with unwavering intent and unity of purpose.