DevelopmentAid Dialogues
Each episode features insightful conversations with experts and practitioners, offering valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities shaping our world. DevelopmentAid is a platform where we share knowledge and fostering collaboration within the development community. We believe that by sparking meaningful conversations, we can contribute to finding innovative solutions for a more just and sustainable future.
Episodes
Cheap cures, fragile systems: Inside the ongoing fight to end neglected tropical diseases. A conversation with Dr. Wendy Harrison.
Neglected tropical diseases affect more than 1.5 billion people, close to one in six worldwide, yet they remain among the least visible and mediatized health problems on the planet. The medicines to treat most of them already exist, often for less than US$0.50 a dose. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam speaks with Dr. Wendy Harrison, CEO of Unlimit Health, about why tha
Beyond Bottomless Wallets: The Strategic Reality of Gulf Economic Diplomacy. A Dialogue with Damyana Bakardzhieva
As the ongoing U.S./Israel–Iran war reverberates across the region—affecting energy markets, transport routes, and economic stability in the Middle East and North Africa—the question for the development sector is becoming more urgent: can Gulf donors sustain their expanding role in global aid, or will their priorities shift inward? In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, podcast host Hisham
Reclaiming Civic Space Amid Global Repression: A dialogue with Lotfullah Najafizada from Afghanistan ahead of the Ottawa Civic Space Summit
In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, podcast host Hisham Allam spoke with Lotfullah Najafizada, an Afghan journalist and founder of Amu TV, a Washington-based international news outlet reaching audiences inside and outside Afghanistan. With nearly 20 years on Afghan media frontlines—including over a decade as Tolo News director and multiple Press Freedom Awards— he joined us ahead of the
From Starlink to Scarcity: Dialogue with Jonathan Criss—the SpaceX Engineer Solving Earth’s Water Crisis
In this episode of Development Aid Dialogues, podcast host Hisham Allam spoke with Jonathan Criss, CEO and Founder of Vital Lyfe. After more than 13 years working on Dragon and Starlink, from cargo racks to reusable spacecraft, Criss left to establish Vital Lyfe, a company building small-scale purification systems for remote villages, disaster zones and infrastructure-poor communities already feel
Fadi Bou Ali: Green and Blue Bonds Between Promise and Hard Reality
In this episode of Development Aid Dialogues, podcast host Hisham Allam interviewed Fadi Bou Ali, a sustainable finance specialist working at the intersection of capital markets and climate solutions, for an in-depth look at how green and blue bonds are reshaping climate finance. Fadi, an expert within ABAAD - Resource Centre for Gender Equality, explains that green bonds and regular loans are “id
NGOs: From Band-aids to Real Impact. Breaking Silos with NCA’s Linda Nordby
Every year, the World NGO Day is a moment to recognize the work nonprofits and community-based organizations do in some of the world’s toughest places—and to be honest about the pressures they face, from shrinking civic space to falling budgets and rising security risks. To mark the day, DevelopmentAid Dialogues host Hisham Allam speaks with Linda Nordby, Head of the Humanitarian Division at Norwe
Why big donors can’t deliver without NGOs: A dialogue with UNICEF’s Dara Johnston
In this episode of Development Aid Dialogues—marking International NGO Day at the end of February—podcast host Hisham Allam interviewed Dara Johnston, Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for UNICEF in Palestine, for an in-depth look at how nonprofits complement big institutions on the ground. With a month-long series spotlighting NGOs' grassroots role in crises, community voices and global
Reframing Dutch Aid: Steven Collet on Mutual Interests and Smart Partnerships in 2026
Reframing Dutch Aid: Steven Collet on Mutual Interests and Smart Partnerships in 2026 How does the international aid sector survive shrinking budgets? Hisham Allam asks Steven Collet, Deputy Director-General of International Cooperation at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With a background ranging from the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) to diplomatic missions in Tanzania and Vietnam, Co
Who really benefits from COP summits? Paulo C. De Miranda on power, money and climate reality
In climate politics, it is easy to treat COP summits as a travelling show: intense media noise, careful drafting marathons, and then a quick shift to the next crisis. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam talked with Paulo C. De Miranda about when these summits stopped being just diplomacy and started to matter for people, balance sheets and fragile communities. Paulo, Cha
UNOPS Rewires Aid Accountability: Tracking Scope 3 Emissions in the Development Sector (A Conversation with Samantha Stratton-Short)
The United Nations Office for Project Services, widely known as UNOPS, is pushing climate accountability into the core of development work by tackling the most elusive part of its carbon footprint: Scope 3 emissions. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam speaks with Samantha Stratton-Short, Head of Strategic Initiatives, Infrastructure and Project Management at UNOPS and M
Raj M. Desai: Rethinking Development Finance in an Age of Shrinking Aid
International development is heading into a crunch moment, and this episode with Professor Raj M. Desai puts numbers, mechanisms, and politics around what “shrinking aid” really means for countries that still depend on it—especially in the context of USAID cuts and the growing push toward blended finance. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, podcast host Hisham Allam speaks with Desai, a l
Rebecca Thissen: Putting Climate Justice at the Heart of COP30
In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, podcast host Hisham Allam interviewed Rebecca Thissen, Global Advocacy Lead at CAN International, for an in-depth look at the real outcomes of COP30 in Belem, Brazil. Thissen, a veteran defender of climate justice, shared her perspective as a COP30 participant on how high-stakes negotiations and geopolitical tensions shaped both the atmosphere and the d
Beyond the Chatbot: Why AI in Healthcare Still Needs the Human Touch. Insights with Prof. Krishnan Ganapathy
Artificial intelligence is changing the way we think about healthcare, offering new ways to connect, diagnose, and support patients—especially through telemedicine. More people than ever are speaking to their doctor from home, getting advice online, and sharing data from their devices. It’s fast, it’s convenient, and it’s full of promise. But is it enough? Where does technology stop and real human
Artificial Intelligence and Telemedicine: Human Judgment in the Digital Era with Dr. Jan Niclas Strickling
The age of artificial intelligence is reshaping healthcare delivery worldwide, with telemedicine at the forefront of this transformation. In episode five of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Dr. med. Jan Niclas Strickling, a German board-certified interventional cardiologist who has played a key role in advancing telemedicine through Germany’s certified centers an
Shadows Of Conflict: Why Some Emergencies Get Left Behind. A Quick-exchange with Desiree Ketabchi from OXFAM
The global humanitarian landscape is marked by stark contrasts: while some crises like Ukraine dominate international attention and resources, others such as Sudan, the Sahel, and Haiti struggle in the shadows. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam had a lightning interview with Désirée Ketabchi, Head of Humanitarian Action & Advocacy at Oxfam Belgium and a
Navigating the Aid Front Lines with Head of OCHA's UAE office Sajeda Shawa
World Humanitarian Day 2025, observed globally on August 19, stands as a solemn tribute to the courage and sacrifice of aid workers delivering hope amid crises. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Sajeda Shawa, head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the United Arab Emirates. With over 18 years of l
Transparency to the Bone: Rethinking Remote Aid with Ina Bluemel
The hard truth of modern humanitarian action was this: access had closed, risks had risen, and remote delivery had become unavoidable. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast (Season 3), host Hisham Allam spoke with Ina Bluemel—a veteran of emergency health, WASH, and logistics leadership across WHO, IFRC, and multiple NGOs—about what it took to keep aid effective when workers coul
Beyond the Aid Cliff: Dr. Julius Sindi on What Comes After the Donor Exit
The age of abundant Western aid is ending—and this time, no rebound is guaranteed. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Dr. Julius Kirimi Sindi, a systems innovator and director of the Gates Foundation–backed Catalyze Impact Initiative, about how global development must adapt before it unravels. Drawing from decades of leadership in African researc
Beyond the Flames and the Heatwaves: Robin Degron on Europe and the Mediterranean Basin’s Climate Crisis
Devastating wildfires and intense heatwaves are sweeping across continents—from Indonesia’s burning rainforests and Canada’s parched woodlands to Latin America and, of course, Europe’s Mediterranean coasts. The scale and frequency of these disasters are reminders that climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a global emergency demanding action at every level. In this episode of Developmen
Can One Crisis Solve Another? Debt-for-Nature Swaps with Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine
As mounting debt strangles public services and climate disasters escalate, a provocative idea is gaining ground: what if countries could trade their debt burdens for environmental action? In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine, Director General of the Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC), about debt-for-natu
The Aid Localization Mirage: Dr. Duncan Green on Why Shifting Power Means Rethinking Aid
“Localization” has become one of the most repeated terms in international development—but is it a genuine shift, or just a new label for old practices? In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Dr. Duncan Green, Professor in Practice at the London School of Economics and longtime Oxfam strategist, about why shifting power in aid is harder—and more essential
Abandonment at the Breaking Point: Confronting Aid Cuts with Stephen Cornish
Abandonment at the Breaking Point: Confronting the Aid Cuts with Stephen Cornish By: DevelopmentAid Dialogues In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Stephen Cornish, General Director of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Switzerland, about the mounting global humanitarian crises—from famine zones in Sudan to the collapse of water systems in Chad—and the dev
Aid cuts: Gamble on development or risky retreat? Insights from Professor Stefan Dercon
In this 26th episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam interviews Stefan Dercon, Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford and author of Gambling on Development, about the global consequences of recent aid cuts by major donor countries, particularly the United States. As foreign aid budgets shrink and populist politics gain traction, the discussion delved into t
The War on Global Health | Diagnosing the Impact of Aid Cuts with Lisa Hilmi
As foreign aid cuts ripple across donor nations, global health systems are beginning to fracture. In the 25th episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam sat down with Lisa M. Hilmi, Executive Director of CORE Group, to discuss the very real and immediate consequences of this funding vacuum. Hilmi, a seasoned public health leader, has spent decades working across Africa, Sou
Unveiling the aid cuts: Between chaos and power shifts | Rethinking the aid model with Katri Bertram
As foreign aid budgets shrink across Western nations, the global development sector is confronting a moment of reckoning. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam speaks with Katri Bertram—a global health and development expert with two decades of experience spanning international organizations, NGOs, and government institutions. She is currently the International Director of
Water shortage isn't the problem - we are. Navigating the water crisis with David Shackleton.
In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam speaks with David Shackleton, CEO of SIS.BIO, about a problem that rarely makes headlines but affects millions every day: water that’s too polluted to use. Shackleton makes a clear distinction—this isn’t a crisis of not having enough water but of failing to protect what we already have. Through SIS.BIO, he’s leading efforts to bring da
The Future of Aid, Donald Trump, and the Prisoner’s Dilemma | A dialogue with Dr. Göran Holmqvist
While the drastic aid cuts announced by the largest donors are making the headlines around the world, a deeper issue may be at stake. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam speaks to Dr. Göran Holmqvist, perhaps the most prominent voice in the international context of development, about the unprecedented shift in global aid paradigms. With decades of leadership experience,
Corruption in healthcare, education & infrastructure: who pays the price in developing countries? | Dialogue with Jean-Pierre Méan, Attorney-at-law
One of the biggest barriers to sustainable development is still corruption, which undermines confidence in institutions, damages economies, and especially affects the most vulnerable. Host Hisham Allam talked with Dr. Jean-Pierre Méan, a well-known anti-corruption specialist and former president of Transparency International Switzerland, in this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues about the ongoin
International Development Exodus: Who Pays the Price When the U.S. Pulls Out? discussion with Felix Gnehm
In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam confronted the seismic repercussions of the United States’ decision to slash USAID funding—a policy shift that destabilized the global aid sector and left vulnerable communities worldwide in peril. The cuts didn’t just trim budgets; they severed lifelines, strained alliances, and reshaped geopolitical power dynamics.Felix Gnehm, Presid
Surviving USA Stop Work Orders: recovery tactics and legal recourse with Katherine Gentic a Government Compliance, Contracts and Pricing Specialist
This episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues examines the rising trend of USAID stop work orders and the difficulties they pose for implementing partners. These unexpected pauses in project activity have left organizations struggling with the urgent need to continue essential development work, financial uncertainty, and compliance challenges. Stop work orders (SWOs), which USAID has been using more fr
International Development Crisis: How Budget Cuts are Reshaping Humanitarian Efforts | Analysis with Isam Khatib, an Expert in Policy Strategies
Guest Description: Isam Khatib, Human Rights & Sustainable Development Specialist. Expert in foreign policy strategies, international development, and human rights advocacy, with a special focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Episode Description:In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam examines the growing trend of global government cuts to development
The Hidden Cost of Ethical Farming: Are Fair Trade and Organic Myths? | A dialogue with Carmelo Troccoli and Kyle Newell
Guest Description: Carmelo Troccoli, the General Director of Campania Amica Foundation and the World Farmers Market Coalition & Kyle Newell, Managing director at The Aspen Institute, a global leader in connecting smallholder farmers to commercial value change.Episode Description:In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, Hisham Allam invited 2 renowned pioneers in sustainable agriculture to
US Aid Freeze: immediate effects of the Executive Order | A dialogue with Matthew Robinson
In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam delves into the consequences of the United States’ recent aid cuts, including their catastrophic impact on the global aid sector and vulnerable people. These decisions, mostly influenced by the Trump administration’s foreign aid policy, have resulted in far-reaching changes, such as funding freezes, program suspensions, and withdrawal
Illegal Adoption vs. Child Trafficking: Where Do We Draw the Line? | with Dr. Eefje De Volder, IMPACT
Guest Description: Dr. Eefje De Volder, a leading expert in human trafficking and co-founder of IMPACT. Dr. De Volder also co-owns Rwandan Empowerment Coffee, a social enterprise empowering female survivors of sexual violence in Rwanda. Episode Description: Dr. De Volder is highlighting the broad scope of human trafficking, defined under the Palermo Protocol. While traditionally associated with se
The Future of Farming: Can AI and Drones Save Agriculture—or Destroy It?
Guest Description: Brian Anderson Director of Finance and Operations, worked with major food and agriculture corporations and Kyle Newell, Director of Aspen Institute, a global leader in connecting smallholder farmers to commercial value chains.Episode outline: At a crossroads, modern agriculture must strike a balance between environmental sustainability, economic growth, and food security. Hish
Limited funding, resource gaps, and systemic biases can’t stop positive outcomes for human trafficking survivors | A conversation with Angie Staley
Guest Description: Angie Staley, an expert in anti-human trafficking and transitional housing. Episode description: Human trafficking is a complex global crisis impacting millions, each survivor’s journey marked by resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship. Angie Staley, with over 12 years of experience in residential coordination, offers essential support to survivors, helping them heal an
Corruption’s Two-Way Street: How UK Bribery and Illicit Flows Drive Global Corruption | with Phil Mason, Anti-corruption policy advisor
Guest Description: Phil Mason a leading player in the global fight against corruption. Mr. Mason has over 20 years of experience at the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) and a long history of international anti-corruption operations.Episode Description: In this episode, we discuss the systemic threat of corruption in international development. Phil Mason discusses the inter
Political & Economic Interests Behind Climate Disinformation | Conversation with Jennie King at ISD.
Guest Description: Jennie King, Director of Climate Disinformation Research and Policy at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD). Ms. King provided crucial insights into the dynamics of climate disinformation and the larger online information ecology. She stressed that “climate disinformation is being deployed strategically to undermine urgent environmental action,” and that misinformation cam
Water, Land, and Power: The Interconnectedness of Sustainable Development | with Sean Furey from SKAT foundation
Our guest: Sean Furey, the Secretariat Director of the Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN). During the episode, Mr. Furey shared insights with podcast host Hisham Allam into the vast network of community organizations managing water systems and the challenges they face. Highlighting a recent example from Ecuador, he illustrated the extensive scale of these operations, supported by thousands of commu
Early Warnings & Noodle Networks: Innovative Strategies for Disaster Response | with Manu Gupta Disaster Resilience Expert
In the realm of humanitarianism and disaster response, Dr. Manu Gupta shines as a guiding light of unwavering dedication and passionate advocacy. With over three decades of experience, his journey from volunteer work to founding SEEDS (Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society) reflects a profound commitment to empowering communities and building resilience in the face of adversit
Human Trafficking Unveiled: Insights from the Frontlines | A dialogue with Tatiana Kotlyarenko Expert on Human trafficking
Guest Description: Tatiana Kotlyarenko, Expert on GBV and Human TraffickingEpisode sneak peak: In the latest DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, Tatiana Kotlyarenko, a human rights defender, discusses the complexities of human trafficking with Hisham Allam. She emphasizes that trafficking involves organized crime and corruption, complicating efforts to combat it. Kotlyarenko shares her experience ev
Voices from Yemen: Delivering AID in a Conflict Zone | Dialogue with Ibrahim El Haddad from OCHA
Yemen grapples with a staggering humanitarian crisis, leaving millions dependent on aid for survival. Delivering that assistance, however, is fraught with challenges.In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, Ibrahim Elhadhad, a UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) official, offers alongside Hisham Allam a firsthand look at the complexities of navigating aid delivery in
From Rainwater Tanks to Dignity: The Ripple Effect of Water Access Projects | Dialogue with Kerstin Danert from Ask for Water
Guest description: Dr. Kerstin Danert, the founder and director of Ask for Water. Ask for Water works collaboratively with governments, NGOs, and research institutions. They focus not just on the technical aspects of borehole drilling, but also on building capacity, ensuring quality control, and implementing sustainable practices.Episode Description: In this episode, we discuss water access in low
Turning Trash to Treasure: Organic Waste Management | Latin American Perspective with Sandra Mendez
Guest description: Sandra Méndez F. is an experienced expert and project developer, and coordinator at Skat. Episode description: In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, we explore the current state of waste management in Latin America and the innovative solutions emerging across the region.Dr. Fagrado paints a vivid picture of the waste management landscape, highlighting the predominance of
Profit and Purpose: Aligning Business & Social Good in Development Partnerships | with Kim Eric Bettcher, CIPE
Our Guest: Kim Eric Bettcher, a leading expert from CIPE's Policy and Program Learning department, specializing in democratic governance and international partnerships. Episode Description: In this episode, we discuss the role of partnerships and knowledge management in advancing global development goals. Our guest, Kim Bettcher believes that collaboration can bring about significant change
Mosquitoes, Money & a Warming World: Why a Malaria Vaccine Isn't Enough | Insights from Scott Filler
Guest Description: Scott Filler, Senior Disease Coordinator at the Global Fund, a worldwide movement to defeat HIV, TB and malaria. Episode description: In this episode, we discuss Dr. Filler's journey, from a personal encounter with the disease to spearheading innovative initiatives. This profound sense of purpose fuels Dr. Filler's tireless advocacy for equal access to healthcare, rega
The future of medicine: Can telehealth revolutionize global healthcare access? | A conversation with Prof. K.Ganapathy, Neurosurgeon, pioneer in Telemedicine
Guest Description: Dr. K. Ganapathy is a professor, neurosurgeon, the first Ph.D. in neuroimaging in South Asia, and a strong advocate for telehealth. www.kganapathy.in Episode Description: in this episode, we discuss revolutionizing the healthcare - the concept of telemedicine. Dr. Ganapathy explains how telemedicine breaks geographical barriers, providing specialist care to remote areas and bri
Flooded Toilets vs Empty Wells: The Impact of Climate Change on Sanitation | A Conversation with Dara Johnston, Chief of Section for Climate Resilience
Guest Description: Dara Johnston, UNICEF's Chief of Section for Climate-Resilient Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in South Sudan.Episode Description:In this episode, we discuss the crisis faced by millions in developing countries: climate change's impact on clean water and sanitation access. Our guest, Dara Johnston, brings over 35 years of expertise in addressing WASH challenges,
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