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 Reading Navigating Complexity with Clarity: Mental Health in Kenya
PDIA to Engage Youth in Papua New Guinea’s Tuna Bay Area
Guest blog by Anna Ga’a, Denphil Hunt-Mitir, Nabieu Lansana, Solomon Mape, Julia Tubang Doing the PDIA program was unexpected for our group; initially, we doubted we could tackle the process effectively. But, by welcoming PDIA’s open and collaborative approach, we embraced the challenge. Here’s an overview of our journey, including the lessons learned, the challenges…Continue Reading PDIA to Engage Youth in Papua New Guinea’s Tuna Bay Area
Coordinating Workforce Development Services in Rural Arizona
Guest blog by Jeremy Flowers, IPP ’24 I was born and raised in New England, where Harvard University holds mythological levels of prestige. So, when I applied for the Kennedy School’s Implementing Public Policy program, I expected knowledge and skills that couldn’t be obtained anywhere else, and world-class presentations by dazzlingly brilliant professors. I was…Continue Reading Coordinating Workforce Development Services in Rural Arizona
Supporting Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Papua New Guinea
Guest blog by Sharlene Gawi, Nesther Horiva, Audrey Kari, Naijolin Tumul Gender-based violence has become a prevalent and growing issue in Papua New Guinea. Research from the 2016-2018 Demographic Health Survey showed that at least 68% of women in PNG have experienced this violence at some point in their lives. This is double the global…Continue Reading Supporting Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Papua New Guinea
Low Economic Engagement of Youth in Agribusiness Opportunities in Kutubu, Papua New Guinea
Guest blog by Elsie Mongoru, Alexander Tanabi, Dorcas Mileng, Emmanuel Kokiva, Evenezer Tanda, David William, Nancy Ilambi In the heart of Papua New Guinea lies Kutubu rural local government area in Nipa Kutubu District of Southern Highlands Province. The population is estimated to be 24,155 with a youth population of around 7,229 of which 43%…Continue Reading Low Economic Engagement of Youth in Agribusiness Opportunities in Kutubu, Papua New Guinea
Supporting Collective Action and Reform Coalitions in PNG: Trust is Critical
Guest blog by Barbara Thomas, Maliwai Sasingian, & Kirk Gibson In January 2024, the Black Wednesday riots shook Papua New Guinea (PNG). Local thinkers highlight these as acts of desperation, driven by underlying causes including unemployment and the increasing cost of living. But governments alone cannot solve the complex problems that drive these events. Citizens, civil…Continue Reading Supporting Collective Action and Reform Coalitions in PNG: Trust is Critical
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 Reading Exploring the lack of access to revenue in Wyoming
Addressing Business Sustainability in Star Valley, Wyoming
Guest blog by Sarah Hale, Mason Koch, Violet Sanderson, Devin J Simpson The SOAR Team selected Business Sustainability as their project for the 12-week course. Our goal was to figure out what was needed in order for area businesses in Star Valley, Wyoming to not only survive (a difficult task in its own right), but…Continue Reading Addressing Business Sustainability in Star Valley, Wyoming
Addressing Behavioral Health in Casper, Wyoming: A Community-Driven Approach Using PDIA
Guest blog by Tina A. Hoebelheinrich, Anna Kinder, Sabrina Kemper The Wyoming Business Council recently convened a diverse group of community leaders to address a pressing issue using the Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) framework. This powerful approach, which empowers communities to tackle complex problems by breaking them into manageable components, was the perfect fit for…Continue Reading Addressing Behavioral Health in Casper, Wyoming: A Community-Driven Approach Using PDIA
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 Reading Using PDIA to Reduce Gun Violence in New York