Random Sudan Podcasts

The Rift Valley Institute podcast features discussions, interviews, lectures and seminars that bring together policy-makers, researchers, activists, development workers, diplomats, investors and journalists. The Rift Valley Institute is a non-profit research and training organization working with communities and institutions in Eastern and Central Africa. RVI programmes connect local knowledge to global information systems, aiming to modify development practice. They include field-based social research, support for indigenous educational institutions, in-country training courses and a digital library. The ‘Local Governance in Somalia’ RVI podcast discusses devolution of power in Somalia in the context of rapid urbanisation. The podcast reflects on the 2021 World Bank Review, which aims to facilitate a more informed dialogue between the government, private sector, civil society, development partners and other stakeholders on a more comprehensive urban development strategy in Somalia. In the 3rd episode, Horn of Africa Programme Manager at the Rift Valley Institute- Hannah Stogdon- speaks with Dr. Ken Menkhaus, professor of Political Science at Davidson College, Horn of Africa and Land Urbanisation specialist working on local governance, service delivery, and forced displacement. The podcast also hosts Makiko Watanabe, a Senior Urban Specialist working on local governance, service delivery, and forced displacement and Dr. Olivia D’Aoust who is a senior urban economist working on issues related to the economics of urbanisation, territorial development, and conflict and fragility.

Categories: Uncategorised

Tags: africa, burundi, congo, djibouti, east, Education, eritrea, ethiopia, institute, kenya, research, rift, rwanda, somalia, south, sudan, uganda, valley

Do you take your access to water for granted? The Peruvian and Tanzanian communities featured in this album certainly don’t. This album examines how development agencies can empower communities to help themselves by introducing simple technologies, and facilitate the sharing of ideas through education. In the Andean mountains, scarce supplies of water and agricultural challenges give rise to conflict; but the changes engineered by development agencies can start to show a way out of poverty. Meanwhile, Tanzanian rural schoolchildren are instrumental in bringing about positive long-term change within their communities. However, development in practice is very complex and sometimes controversial. The audio tracks delve into the dilemma of how to incorporate the value systems of impoverished communities and agencies, which can have differing agendas. They also show how development is linked to issues of identity, urbanisation, politics, economics, social relations and gender. To complete the album, Dr Helen Yanacopulos of The Open University’s Development Policy and Practice unit explains the choice of some of the case studies provided, and unpicks some of the issues that emerge. This material is taken from The Open University course TU871 Development: context and practice.

Categories: Education

Tags: argentina, community, Cypriot, economy, Ethiopian, Greek, London, Migrants, Peru, Political, social, sudan, Tanzania

What does it mean to be poor, or an immigrant? What form should Aid take? This album begins to explore the complex issues of international development in a globalised world, starting with a look at schemes which attempt to alleviate poverty. Small business owners are empowered by micro-financing in Glasgow, while in Argentina a disastrous economic collapse has led to people taking matters into their own hands by creating an alternative social exchange currency. Migrant communities, such as Greek Cypriots and Ethiopians in London, and Sierra Leoneans in Liverpool, have a chance to reveal the issues they’ve faced; while in the audio tracks we hear from experts who are working to expand the contribution that African migrants abroad can make to Africa’s development. Finally, a Chinese “beer pioneer” and China trade experts discuss China’s membership of the World Trade Organisation. To complete the album, Dr Helen Yanacopulos of The Open University’s Development Policy and Practice unit explains the choice of some of the case studies, and unpicks some of the issues that emerge. This material is taken from The Open University course TU871 Development: context and practice.

Categories: Education

Tags: argentina, community, Cypriot, economy, Ethiopian, Greek, London, Migrants, Peru, Political, social, sudan, Tanzania