DevelopmentAid Dialogues

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...

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 experienc...

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 ongoi...

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 , Pres...

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...

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 agricultur...

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 developme...

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...

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 s...

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. Hi...

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...

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 inte...

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...

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 co...

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...

Guest Description: Tatiana Kotlyarenko, Expert on GBV and Human Trafficking Episode 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...

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...

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...

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 o...

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 chang...

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, reg...

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 br...

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 challenge...