Amy Bass in an article in today’s CNN opinion section entitled, four key takeaways from World Cup 2014, asks the question of all sports – Is it the team, or is it the star? In development circles, many people believe the answer to this question is ‘the star.’ Leaders are seen as heroic figures that…Continue Reading World Cup Lessons: Is it the team or is it the star?
Introducing the BSC Video series
written by Salimah Samji Since the inception of the Building State Capability (BSC) program, the team has made over 50 presentations around the globe at places like the World Bank, IDB, ODI, SIDA, DANIDA, OECD, DFID, UNDP, USAID, and at several think tanks and universities. The positive feedback that we have received has encouraged us…Continue Reading Introducing the BSC Video series
New Year, New Logo
Happy New Year! Building State Capability is the Center for International Development at Harvard University’s newest program. Since the inception, the team has published 13 UNU-WIDER working papers and made over 50 presentations around the globe. As we head into the second year, we are pleased to share our new logo with you – see…Continue Reading New Year, New Logo
The Studley Tool Chest
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I wanted to share the story of the image we chose for this blog – the Studley Tool Chest. Designed by piano maker Henry O. Studley (1838-1925), this toolbox is about 40 inches by 20 inches when closed, and holds approximately 300 tools. Apparently, it is so heavy that it…Continue Reading The Studley Tool Chest
Aid and Fragility: PDIA at the UN
Earlier today, Lant Pritchett, Michael Woolcock, and Frauke de Weijer were on a panel for the Fragility and Aid: What Works? event held by the UNU-WIDER at the Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN. They discussed how even well-meaning attempts to “build capacity” could serve as techniques of persistent failure because of isomorphic mimicry (emphasis…Continue Reading Aid and Fragility: PDIA at the UN
Untying Development
Yesterday, we hosted a one-day workshop entitled, Untying Development: Promoting Governance and Government with Impact. The day brought together different voices to discuss the challenge of creating a governance agenda that focuses on solving country-specific problems, involves local people through flexible and context-fitted processes, and emphasizes learning in the reform process. In the first session,…Continue Reading Untying Development
Hirschman told us that implementation involves a journey
written by Matt Andrews I ran across the following quote from Hirschman today. A reminder that implementation is neither easy nor prone to scientific certainty. Rather, it requires journeys, of finding, fitting, and discovering. Do we promote such journeys in development? Are we open to the destinations we might end up reaching? ” The term…Continue Reading Hirschman told us that implementation involves a journey