Transparency is often a buzzword in international development that, for better or worse, is frequently misused. For many, transparency means being upfront at the end of a project, but to be truly effective, transparency needs to be built into all levels of a development project. In the realm of Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs), transparency is often what ties together ethical procurement and
2024 is a pivotal year. We need to be on the front foot to take on global development challenges rather than fight rearguard actions – “Front Foot Development”. Let’s make 2024 the year all the players in the global development family can play in more harmony. As we come up to the midpoint of the 2020’s, the pressing call for
The future tax administration is digitized and uses new technologies which not only revolutionizes tax processes, enhancing speed and accuracy, but also can dramatically change the taxpayer experience and interface with the tax administration . Features can include data streaming replacing filing and a taxpayer service function which is always available among other innovations. Digitalization has been at the core
I live in Roath Park Lake, Cardiff, Wales, but my life began very differently in the midst of World War II, and has been marked by a series of transformative experiences that have shaped my understanding of the principles that should underpin the education system, which I would like to convey. From the caring influence of dedicated teachers to the
At these times where the concept of innovation, entrepreneurship and risk taking are sublimated -when not simply vulgarised and down-scaled at the level of buzzword- the direct or indirect presence of public resources, the so called “tax-payer money”, in most ventures keeps the issue of their most economic use as central as it has always been. Whatever the context, being
In this post GBPG Advisors David Baxter and David Kinley assess the potential of Public Private Partnerships as a vehicle for international development finance. It is based on an interview led by David Kinley, GBPG Advisor for External Relations and former staff member of a range of high profile international organizations, including the World Bank, UNDP and International Atomic Energy
Do you ever feel like you’re drowning in a sea of audit jargon? Fear not. This is a simplified explanation for those who are not involved in Audits, and see it as a nuisance, or struggle with the jargon used (particularly in technology). Many organizations either overcomplicate the audit process or fail to make their employees aware of its importance
Imagine a world where we make the most of our e-toys, employing them with unmatched efficiency, wisdom, and frequency to create a society that thrives on “more public happiness.” It’s not just a dream—it is an achievable reality. E-procurement, fuelled by government initiatives for economic development, holds the key to fostering innovation, diversifying sectors, and achieving remarkable efficiency gains. The
When COVID-19 shook the world, it brought out the best and the worst of people. In the Philippines, discussions on lockdown started around late January and February of 2020. The government was slow in its intervention, but I guess balancing between the economy and public health was a difficult line to walk. This was also made even more complicated when
In this second GBPG interview, GBPG’s Group Chairman Malcolm De Silva interviews former European Spallation Source General Director Colin Carlile on the management strategies that led to his successful leadership of highly complex innovative projects and what key lessons the development world can learn from science. Malcolm is a global international development expert. He has over 25 years of experience
GBPG Group Chairman Malcolm De Silva interviews Global PPP Expert David Baxter on why People First PPPs are the future, how they tie in with Environmental, Social, and Governance objectives and how Procurement and Procurement Staff can make all the difference to their success. Malcolm uses his 25-plus years of experience in legal, contracting and procurement as a staff member within
Ornamental fish farming has a role to play in providing jobs, being a significant promotable sustainable industry sector and inputting into the economic development of nations. Sri Lanka has an ornamental fish farming presence which needs support and nurture to provide employment and contribute to livelihoods in developing local economic ecosystems. Tropical and ornamental fish farming involves the rearing of
Bolivia is one of the ten countries most affected by climate change on the planet. One-third of the labour force in the country is working in the agricultural sector. It makes this breath-taking land of massive salt flats even more vulnerable to global climate change. The effects of climate change are most acutely felt through impacts on the water cycle
Sri Lanka is facing its severest financial crisis since independence. It has defaulted on its international loan service agreements and if nations, like entities, could declare bankruptcy then the country would be a fit case for foreclosure. The government declared it to be a ‘pre-emptive default’, meaning that debt restructuring was required prior to any immediate payments from a now
“Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated. I also want to make Twitter better than ever by enhancing the product with new features, making the algorithms open source to increase trust, defeating the spam bots, and authenticating all humans.” (Elon Musk – April 25, 2022)
The ultimate goals of PPP procurements are obtaining value for money and choosing the right bidder who can support a partnership that is sustainable for the whole life-cycle of the project. This can be difficult under the best of circumstances. However, no excuses should be made when it comes to ensuring that the procurement process is transparent and competitive. If
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has shaken the international community to its core. The upsetting of the international balance – namely the use of force to violate the sovereignty of another country – has had profound impact on peace and stability. The wanton killing of innocent civilians, the desperate flight of refugees, the economic chaos, and the threat of WWIII
Parsnips are an undervalued vegetable. They can be left in the ground even in the harshest winter, ready to be harvested when the weather warms up and at a time when there are no fresh vegetables to eat. Put in a stew or roasted in an oven, they add a deliciously fragrant taste to a meal that belies their unrefined
