|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| NADEL Newsletter October 2022 |
Dear NADEL friends and alumni,
As we write this editorial we are in the midst of the study semester with the new batch of MAS students. A group more diverse than ever and, just as the previous cohort, committed to put their energy, expertise and creativity to advance global sustainable development. To expose students to practice, several NGOs have provided development challenges that they are currently facing in their programs, ranging from water management to vocational training for green jobs. Students will work in interdisciplinary groups on those challenges. Based on a review of the scientific evidence on the topic, design thinking and input from the NGO experts, the students will develop actionable proposals and pitch their solutions to the NGOs and a wider audience on December 15. Block the date and join us to learn about the proposed solutions!
Hope to see you there!
Fritz Brugger and Isabel Günther |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Event: The New International Poverty Line. Why and how has it been calculated and what does it mean for global poverty? |
| The international poverty line is used to monitor the progress being made to eradicate poverty everywhere in all its forms. It helps measure the number of people living in extreme poverty. The international poverty line, set at 1.90 int. $ per day in 2015, has been updated to 2.15 int. $ per day last month. In this talk, Dr Samuel Tetteh-Baah, economist at the World Bank, and NADEL alumni discusses how the international poverty line is derived, why it needed an update and what the new line implies for global poverty estimates. Dr Tetteh-Bah will also discuss the impact of Covid-19 on global poverty rates. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Policy Brief: Triple Nexus in Fragile Contexts – Next Steps |
| Fragile contexts call for engagements, where humanitarian, peace and development actors work together for more impact. Yet, the implementation of this “Triple Nexus” approach is challenging. In a policy brief, NADEL's Fritz Brugger together with Joane Holliger and Simon Mason from the ETH Center for Security Studies (CSS) argue that international actors need to partner with local actors, rather than using them as sub-contractors and outsourcing security and fiduciary risks to make the triple nexus effective. Also, programming has to become more agile, with flexibility built into design, monitoring, and evaluation approaches. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Podcast: Civil war, starting a career and "white experts" |
| When MAS student Wolfgang Schneider went for his NADEL project assignment to Ethiopia his career in international development cooperation took an unexpected turn. The trained mechanical engineer was investigating how energy can be generated from the husks of coffee beans in Addis Ababa. Until the political situation in the region heated up. In the latest episode of our podcast “1.90 pro Tag”, Wolfgang talks about how it feels when a civil war is approaching, whether one can get used to poverty and whether "white experts" are still needed today for global poverty reduction. Furthermore, Wolfgang presents an index for measuring energy poverty. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Article: “I will sample until things get better – or until I die.” |
| Citizen science is still hardly used in low-income countries. Researchers from ETH Zurich and the University of Zimbabwe collaborated with community members in a mining area in rural Zimbabwe to identify the sources and the extent of water pollution that is threatening their livelihoods. The study finds that the scientific data helped them to empower themselves towards local power holders and allowed them to strengthen their advocacy for a cleaner environment. At the same time, the results also demonstrated the limitations of local engagement in a setting where mining is politically captured. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Consultancy: Independent Review of Multilateral Development Banks |
| The World Bank and other multilateral development banks are on the front lines in helping face the multiple crises of our century with additional finances. In 2021, G20 governments created an independent panel to advise on how multilateral development banks could do more. ETH NADEL’s Chris Humphrey was named to the panel, along with 13 other members. In its report, the panel finds that MDBs could substantially increase lending capacity by re-thinking highly conservative financial policies. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| New NADEL members: Welcome to Ursula Marbach and Ghislaine Tegha Megha-Bongnkar! |
| In September, we welcomed two new team members at NADEL and the Development Economics Group (DEC). |
|
|
|
| About Ursula Marbach |
|
|
| Ursula is responsible for all administrative matters of the MAS programme as well as for event organisation. She previously worked as an executive assistant for many years and has a primary school teaching diploma. Her life has been shaped by her work in a kibbutz and two extended journeys through South and Central America, during which she spent two months as a peace and human rights observer in Chiapas, Mexico. In her free time, she is involved in the community garden of the Hardturm Brache and enjoys going on mountain hikes. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| About Ghislaine Tegha Megha-Bongnkar |
|
|
| Ghislaine Tegha Megha-Bongnkar is a new PhD student at NADEL and DEC and also takes part in the ETH-EPFL Joint Doctoral Programme in Learning Sciences. Her research focuses on developing supporting tools for evidence-informed policymaking. Prior to starting her PhD, Ghislaine worked as an International Development Consultant in Africa and the Caribbean, providing technical support to policymakers on EdTech, emergency education responses, and education sector planning. Ghislaine holds an M.Sc. in SmartEdTech and Digital Innovation for Education (Université Côte d’Azur) and a B.Sc. in Economics (Catholic University of Cameroon).
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
