Now in its fifth year, the Blog provides a stimulating yet supportive online space in which to discuss current events and trends in International Development. Through it, we hope to engage young people in global issues and promote global citizenship. See below for our latest posts. We hope you enjoy exploring The DiA Blog.
Pulling Strings: The Fine Print Behind Development Aid
While development aid can provide countries and their citizens with the resources necessary to complete crucial infrastructure and relief projects, it often comes with an unintended price. Adam Grech examines the conditions that often come attached to aid, and the ways in which they can hinder, rather than promote, national development.
5 Reasons why Cooperation is Key for Development
The launch of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 focused the world’s attention on 17 “Global Goals” to be met by 2030. They highlight...
Will the detaining of Zambia’s opposition leader put Zambia at risk of losing development funding?
Zambia as a democracy often attracts minimal attention from the development sphere, because it is not necessarily successful as a democracy but is also...
The Curious Case of Venezuela
Although holding the potential for riches, Venezuela is experiencing an economic catastrophe and great political friction. Here, Adam Grech examines the country’s economic decline, and the events that have pushed citizens to protest.
USAID: An Institution Fighting for Survival
Established in 1961 by John F. Kennedy, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was designed to advance America’s interests while fulfilling a...
General Election 2017: Where does each party stand on development spending?
With less than 24 hours before the polls open for the UK General Election, Ed Matthews highlights the pledges on overseas aid made by each political party, and what their policies mean for the 0.7% spending target.
Small is beautiful: the UK charity believing in India’s rural poor
Recent figures from the World Bank indicate that India may finally be climbing out of poverty, yet, what they don’t show is India’s growing...
Work/Life Balance – Does the secret lie in the 3-day weekend?
A perfect work life balance is what we try to achieve every day. It’s quite hard to find a healthy compromise between our work...
DiA Interview | Professor Leif Wenar
DiA met Professor Leif Wenar, Author and Chair of Philosophy and Law at Kings College London, to discuss his new book, Blood Oil.
The Resource Curse: Oil Corruption in Nigeria
Resources can bring wealth and development to countries that use them effectively, but they can also be a curse to countries that fail to use them adequately. Adesuwa O. looks at how Nigeria’s oil impacts the country.
All Governments Lie, but can state-sponsored deception be countered by citizen-centred media?
DiA blogger, Jessica Kempner recently attended the screening of All Government Lie at the Human Rights Watch film festival. The film is a tribute...
Legalisation of Prostitution: Facts and Myths
One of the greatest myths perpetuated in the media is that prostitution is illegal. It is in fact, legal in various forms in various...
Does Social Media impact on our Mental Health?
Last month, the BBC aired Panorama Documentary Sleepless Britain by Jenny Kleeman. Ross Bright explores the issues regarding social media and its potential risks...
India’s crack down on ‘black money’: has it hurt those it sought to help?
On 8th November 2016, Donald Trump was hours away from becoming President-elect. But in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was staging an ambush of his own. During a televised announcement, he declared that all 500 and 1000 rupee notes would cease to be legal tender the following day. He also outlined a 50-day period in which voided currency could be deposited into a bank account, or exchanged for newly printed 500 and 2000 rupee notes. Jesse Hope investigates the impact it has had on the rich and poor in India, and whether it actually has tackled India’s Black Money dilemma.
The Role of Aid Theft in Africa: A Development Question
Across Africa more than a trillion of dollars of aid and investment remains unaccounted for due to corruption and theft, leaving doubts about the success of development programs, and raising questions about the future of aid in Africa.
Sudans National Dialogue: Continuing the Status Quo
One of Obama’s final actions in office was to lift sanctions on Sudan, a country with which the United States had nearly 20 years...
The Extinction of Language: why are we losing linguistic diversity?
In this article, Allana Yurko assesses why linguistic diversity is being lost and its consequences for economic development.
Film Review | Tickling Giants
Named as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world, it is hard to believe Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef began his career on YouTube. Anahita Hossein-Pour reviews Tickling Giants, a new film about his life and infamous TV show.
The impossible task: building popular support for immigration
Brexit has been built on the promise of immigration control. But as Theresa May prepares to trigger Article 50, could she be making a huge economic mistake?
Why isn’t end of life care higher up the development agenda?
Global health is key to meeting the SDGs, but the availability of palliative and end of life care in developing countries is still too low, argues Shefali Shah