The BSC blog, launched in 2013, features stories from practitioners around the world who are working to solve some of the world’s most pressing and complex problems. Browse blogs below by sector.
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ECONOMIC GROWTH
Strategic Policymaking in Azerbaijan
Guest blog by Nuru Suleymanov, LEG ’23 I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to participate in this unique course, during which leading scholars and practitioners Professor Matt Andrews and Professor Ricardo Hausmann, as well as other members of the Harvard Kennedy School team, shared with us their valuable experience, knowledge and insights in…Continue…
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GOVERNANCE
Using PDIA to Reduce Gun Violence in New York
Pablo Uribe thought he was done with fighting crime. That was his job as the deputy security director of his hometown of Cali, Colombia. He’d had success with reducing the murder rate there, but was feeling burned out by the work. So when Uribe left to get his master’s at the Harvard Kennedy School, he…Continue…
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EDUCATION
Using PDIA to Improve Literacy for Children in Argentina’s Schools
Guest blog by Karina Stocovaz, IPP ’24 For the past four years, I have led Instituto Natura, a corporate foundation that directs social investments to improve education across six Latin American countries. In Argentina, we work closely with provincial governments to design and implement literacy policies, aiming to ensure that all children learn to read…Continue…
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CRISIS LEADERSHIP
Public policy during a crisis: 3 Lessons learned from Ecuador’s earthquake
Guest blog written by Sandra Naranjo Bautista Last October, I was a guest lecturer at Harvard’s Executive Education Program, Budgeting Through Crisis. I talked about my experience as a minister during Ecuador’s 2016 earthquake with Salimah Samji, Director of the Building State Capability Program. Our conversation brought up memories that motivated me to write this blog. You can also…Continue…
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HEALTH
Navigating Complexity with Clarity: Mental Health in Kenya
Guest blog by Lynette Etemesi, IPP ’24 I recently had the incredible opportunity to attend Harvard University’s Implementing Public Policy (IPP) Program. This intensive course brought together policy professionals, change-makers, and thought leaders from around the world, all focused on a singular mission: to create meaningful, lasting impact in our respective fields. As I reflect…Continue…
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INFRASTRUCTURE
Building a 15-minute city in lower income neighborhoods – with people, not for people
Guest blog by Joyce Pan Huang, IPP ’23 As someone new to the public sector in the last two years, I leapt at the opportunity to attend the Implementing Public Policy program. I enjoyed building friendships and connections with government officials and policymakers from around the world. While our challenges were different across the world,…Continue…
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PUBLIC FINANCE
Exploring the lack of access to revenue in Wyoming
Guest blog by Tom Brauer, Justin D. Farley, Amber Pollock In Wyoming, much like throughout the United States, communities lack access to revenue and control of the revenue-raising mechanisms needed to self-determine their future. Over the past 12 weeks, The Wild Optimists have been immersed in the Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) course, where we’ve grown…Continue…
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OTHER
The Elated PDIA Enthusiast: Minimizing Waste in Johannesburg
Guest blog written by Pinky Ferland, IPP ’24 Are you struggling with implementing your organizational or country policy? If your answer is yes, then read on and experience the journey I travelled with Harvard Kennedy School which led to my capability of implementing my organizational policy with success. A catalyst for change – that is…Continue…