How good are the data that drives international development policies? It turns out, not that great. This week’s episode comes in two parts. In part 1, Mark speaks with Morten Jerven, author of “Poor Numbers: How We Are Misled by African Development Statistics and What to Do about it?” who offers an excellent overview of the situation. Next, Mark speaks with one person who is actively trying to solve this problem in one discreet way. Mayra Buvinich is a senior fellow with the United Nations Foundation who helped start Data2X, which is a collaboration that seeks to improve the quality of data and statistics about women and girls in the developing world.
Archives for February 2015
Episode 54: Stephen Walt
Stephen Walt is one of America’s best known international relations theorists. He’s probably most famous for his “Balance of Threat” theory, which was published in his groundbreaking study “The Origins of Alliances.” In this episode, Walt discusses growing up in Northern California; recounts his intellectual development in high school and university; and tells the story of his “a-ha!” moment during writing the “Origins of Alliances.” This is a lively conversation and a great deep dive into the intellectual development of one of America’s leading foreign policy scholars. Syria, “The Israel Lobby,” and more are discussed. Enjoy!
A Stunning Turn of Events in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankans stunned the world–and probably themselves–when they voted to oust a quasi-autocrat from power. In January, a politician named Maithripali Sirisena engineered a surprise electoral upset against Mahinda Rajapaksa, an authoritarian and probable war criminal whose family long held a tight grip on power. In this episode, human rights lawyer and political scientist Kate Cronin-Furman explains how this upset occurred, what it might mean for other quasi-dictators around the world, and how this move might effect ethnic Tamils’ long quest for justice and accountability for crimes against humanity.
Episode 53: Leila Zerrougui
Leila Zerrougui is the United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. It’s her job to help free child soldiers and ensure that children are spared from the worst effects of war and conflict. In this episode, Zerrougui describes how she recently helped secure the release of child soldiers in South Sudan and reflects on her work to protect children around the world. Zerrougui was born in conflict: she grew up in Algeria during the war for independence and served as a juvenile court judge during Algeria’s civil war in the 1980s and 1990s before moving to a career with the United Nations. This is a great conversation.
Tragedy in the Mediterranean
There is a tragedy unfolding in the Mediterranean sea. Migrants trying to reach an Italian island off the coast of Libya are dying by the boatload, and Europe is turning a blind eye. Just this week, the UN Refugee Agency estimated that over 300 people have died already this year taking this perilous journey. Meanwhile, an Italian search and rescue operation that saved thousands of people last year has been shelved. John Dalhuisen of Amnesty International is on the line to discuss this crisis, what Europe and Italy could be doing to stop it, what is compelling these migrants to make this dangerous journey, and why this ongoing tragedy is about to get much worse.
Episode 52: Jan Egeland
Jan Egeland fights disasters–natural and manmade. Currently the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council and formerly the top humanitarian emergency official at the United Nations, Egeland discusses his career on the front lines of the world’s most urgent humanitarian crises. Jan Egeland and Mark kick off with a discussion about the crisis in Syria and its global humanitarian consequences, then pivot to a discussion about Egeland’s fascinating life and career. (And yes, the Ylvis parody video is discussed!) It’s a great conversation for people who want to learn about how the international community responds to humanitarian challenges around the world.
Measles Around the World
The measles outbreak in the United States is an aberration. Since 2000, measles cases have declined substantially around the world thanks to a worldwide effort known as the Measles and Rubella Initiative. Its goal is to eliminate measles all together by 2020. But is that realistic? And what would that entail? Mark speaks with epidemiologist Dr. Rebecca Martin of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who puts the US outbreak in a global context. She discusses why epidemiologists are so concerned about the American outbreak; what accounts for the overall decline globally; and what needs to be done to reach that 2020 target.
Episode 51: Ambassador Susan Jacobs
Ambassador Susan Jacobs is the Special Advisor for Children’s Issues at the State Department. In this episode, she describes her office’s work on inter-country adoptions and custody disputes — and discusses when these issues rise to the level of high diplomacy. Ambassador Jacobs has had a long and distinguished career. She discusses how she broke a big barrier in US diplomacy, becoming one of the very first married women to be allowed to join the US foreign service. She also recounts some career highlights, including a stint as ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. It’s a lively discussion with a foreign service pro. Enjoy!
