Thematic Discussions

CHIGARU Farai, Malawi, SRO-WA said in Development as an Attitude: Not a Budget Line:

Very insightful LIPEDE Omolola Mary,Nigeria,GPSPD . My question would be analogous to the chicken and egg dilemma, in relation to the mindset and development phenomena - would you not argue that development comes first and then mindset follows?

I get your point, I would however, argue that development is an attitude not the other way round.

SOUMTANG BIME Valentine, Cameroon, DES-P, your feedback underscores a significant paradox confronting many international organizations: how to remain efficient while investing heavily in the development and well-being of people. To strike the right balance between operational efficiency and investment in employee well-being, flexible work modalities (e.g., remote work and flexible hours) should be developed based on 'work outcomes' rather than inflexible presence requirements. This flexibility helps them to achieve a better work-life balance, decreases stress, and increases motivation. On the other hand, it's crucial that mental health and wellness support avenues, such as counseling sessions or stress-relieving workshops, are made available and workload managed to achieve this. When you build a culture where kindness and support are appreciated, teams themselves become more resilient and can deliver sustainable performance. Combining agile work modes with a strong well-being policy therefore also boosts engagement, creativity, and team effectiveness, while satisfying employees' legitimate expectations of quality of work life.

ABNER Martha,Namibia,DES-PS Thank you Martha for this. Time does fly by quickly and truthfully, I have focused my energies on the research on the Division work that I barely think of other things. I love the ideas by DIOP Astou,Senegal,OES and SYAHUKA Hilda, Uganda, DOA , they can be arranged, I do gravitate more to the proposal by NDIMBO Gabriel Kanuti,Tanzania,IDEP, of having research clusters. I think is doable because, there is a diversity of expertise among the fellows, having project clusters in similar fields, will allow fellows in the same semantic fields to learn from each other. This can also translate to writing joint papers in your field of interest.

Yes, the panic is obvious for the SDGs actualisation! I totally agree with you on rethinking leadership style and likewise the quality of leadership.

This reduces the time-lag and delivery process for both countries, and I believe this can steer more trade collaborations across various services and products all factors kept constant.

Perhaps, another statement or other words will be used to transition the trail - MDGS, SDGs, perhaps, ZDGs. Fundamentally, evaluating these goals with a keen eye on impact, strategy, governance, and change etc. Looking at the Journey so far, and reaching the last mile especially for people being served.

Great to see UNECA driving data-powered social protection. Building robust evidence systems is crucial for inclusive policies across the continent. Looking forward to seeing how the Livingstone outcomes will be scaled and replicated to strengthen resilience and equity in other regions.

SHWEHDY Amged B, Libya, SRO-NA, Internet shutdowns remind me of Election Day in some countries where "government" turns off the internet to avoid risk of violence. This country-wide shutdown halts several streams of product and service lines. This shows vulnerability of complete reliance of certain systems, and governance systems of states.

This is a very thoughtful post that highlights the often-misunderstood realities of migration. To promote a more balanced and fact-based conversation, I believe we need to amplify narratives that humanize migration; sharing real stories of migrants as contributors to economies, cultures, and innovation, rather than framing them solely as victims or threats. Media and policymakers play a critical role in shaping these narratives, so partnerships between journalists, researchers, and development practitioners are essential to ensure data-driven and empathetic reporting. Additionally, education and public awareness campaigns can help dispel myths, foster understanding, and highlight how migration, when managed well, benefits both origin and destination communities.