Development and Global Health

Some Western political strategists suggest a “Tech Cold War” is playing out in Africa between China and the U.S. Based on case studies from Ethiopia and Kenya, this perspective neglects the actual state of affairs. Instead of searching for “China-free” actors, the West should take the rationale of each project as a yardstick to stay engaged and relevant in the emerging African information and communications technology sector.

The Investor-State Dispute Settlement System (ISDS) is an outdated system that needs to be reformed to reflect modern sustainable development objectives. Several ideas have been put forward to reform the ISDS, but none have led to change. Rather than imposing new mechanisms or overhauling the system altogether, the current ISDS system should be adapted to prioritize the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Corona Dispatches are short updates on the situation in different countries around the world, written by members and friends of The Policy Corner. You would like to write a dispatch for us? No problem — just get in touch with us at submissions@policycorner.org, we look forward to hearing from you!

The way we eat – especially in the Global North – harms human and planetary health. Diseases caused by animal-based diets are on the rise, while 690 million people worldwide suffer from hunger. The solution to a healthier, more climate-friendly, and resilient food system are plant-based diets.

Ghana’s government reacted quickly and practically to the pandemic, an approach that can serve as an example in the exchange of lessons learned between states. The country undertook a timely closure of borders, targeted lockdowns in epicenters, and enhanced contact tracing. This was made possible by allowing experts to lead the discussions and by taking into account local factors and developments.

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are increasingly replacing official development aid, as stated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. But PPPs have flaws in important areas such as accounta-bility and transparency. Their effectiveness in improving value for money, especially in developing countries, is subject to debate.