Development is not a science and cannot be measured. That is not a bad thing
Michael Kleinman
The obsession with measuring it is paralysing aid workers, there is no way to fully understand the impact of development
April 2017
Water in development
When it comes to water access we keep doing the same thing. And failing
Ajay Paul
Many water and sanitation services are unreliable and sub-standard. We NGOs must change our way of working and be accountable when projects fail
November 2016
'We shouldn’t be selling arms to Saudi Arabia that might be used in Yemen'
Stephen Twigg, chair of the UK’s international development select committee, speaks exclusively about the SDGs, trade versus aid, and the refugee crisis
Aid workers talk endlessly about capacity building - but what does it really mean?
Isn’t capacity building a potentially never-ending bureaucrat’s fantasy? Isn’t it time for a serious rethink?
Best bits
11 ways women in Nigeria can become financially independent
Life after the epidemic: reviving Sierra Leone's post-Ebola economy
Afghanistan's corruption epidemic is wasting billions in aid
Jamil Danish
October 2016
Live Q&A: How can we support economic empowerment for women in Nigeria?
What is the future of foreign aid?
Stephen Chan
Corporate aid: 'The language of business has become the language of aid'
Simon Little
Droughts don’t have to spell disaster. El Niño countries, take note
David Harden
Why do rich countries think development should be only one way?
Deborah Doane
Digital sweatshops in disaster zones: who pays the real price for innovation?
USAid in Palestine: 'It's not about solving the world's problems but people’s daily ones'
September 2016
The trouble with philanthropy is that money can't buy equality
Courtney Martin
Some of the best work is done at the grassroots, yet the power dynamic of philanthropy means this expertise is often ignored
August 2016
It's time to talk about fraud in aid agencies
Too many NGOs avoid investing in counter-fraud programmes for fear of increased administrative costs and upsetting the public
Best bits
Youth in development: 'We're tired of being the topic, not the leaders'
How can young people influence more development decisions? Our experts offer 11 ideas for leveraging the skills of the next generation of leaders
Live Q&A: How can young people wield more power around the world?
Politicians talk about the importance of “the youth” in development, but how often are young people’s ideas realised? Join us on Thursday 11 August to discuss
July 2016
A call to arms: end this report writing madness now
Britain may have given up on the EU dream, but Africa still wants integration
