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Category: South Asia & Pacific

Aerial view of Harvard Kennedy School quad

Breaking down an insurmountable challenge in Afghanistan

Guest blog by Gonzalo Pizarro I joined the Leading Economic Growth (LEG) executive education course along with two colleagues from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with a growth challenge which seemed clear yet insurmountable: Providing the city of Kabul, in Afghanistan with an economic growth strategy after the government collapse, deterioration of security, massive…Continue Reading Breaking down an insurmountable challenge in Afghanistan

Improving economic complexity and diversity in Afghanistan

Guest blog by Rishi Chakraborty There are several key learnings that I will take away from this course. The first key learning for me was the novel way of thinking about development from the perspective of economic complexity and diversity, especially in terms of production/exports through the analogy of the forest with “branches”, “peripheries”, and…Continue Reading Improving economic complexity and diversity in Afghanistan

The core of PDIA: Understanding and dissecting the problem

Several hands reaching toward puzzle pieces in the center of table

Guest blog by Ajay Chaudhry To be honest when I joined the IPP online, it was purely an experiment in COVID days. The idea was to engage myself more constructively and to gain knowledge. I searched upon many courses and finally zeroed in on this. Learning through ‘Implementing Public Policy’ at HKS has been an amazing…Continue Reading The core of PDIA: Understanding and dissecting the problem

When well formulated policies meet implementation roadblocks in Bangladesh and Vietnam

A roadblock

Guest blog by Sehyeon Baek 1. What were your expectations of IPP Online when you signed up?　 I have been working in the private sector as well as the public sector back and forth for quite some time. In 2015, I was recruited by one of the Korean government agencies for the innovation and startups support….Continue Reading When well formulated policies meet implementation roadblocks in Bangladesh and Vietnam

The survival of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India using PDIA

A crowded market in India

Guest blog by Tapasya Obhrai Nair The journey through the IPP course has been like the pilgrims’ progress. Every stop has given some insight and revelation and shown the path to the next stop or destination. I signed up for this course to learn from other practitioners of public policy about their experiences and the alternative…Continue Reading The survival of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India using PDIA

Complexities of multiple stakeholders in developing hydroelectricity in Pakistan

A closeup view of hydroelectricity infrastructure

Guest blog by Masood Ul Mulk I lead a public service organization (nonprofit) working in the northwest border regions of Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan, known for its turbulence, delivering development and humanitarian aid. The government presence is thin on the ground and service delivery in the region remains poor. Government policies change rapidly, as individuals and personalities…Continue Reading Complexities of multiple stakeholders in developing hydroelectricity in Pakistan

Lack of diversity in Mongolian exports: Effects on employment & productivity

Guest blog by Suzanna Sumkhuu Over the past 4 years, I have been working at the country’s development policy planning reform, streamlining legislative, institutional and policy mechanisms. On this journey, I have encountered two contrasting views: necessity for strong central planning systems vs abolish the government and leave everything to the market economy. Because Mongolia has…Continue Reading Lack of diversity in Mongolian exports: Effects on employment & productivity

Resiliency amidst adversity: Applying PDIA in the Philippines

Guest blog by Florida P. Robes Enrolling in Harvard Executive Education, specifically availing the “Implementing Public Policy Online” certificate course is one of the best decisions I have made in my entire life for three main reasons. First, it made me strong amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, being able to virtually interact with like-minded people interested in…Continue Reading Resiliency amidst adversity: Applying PDIA in the Philippines

Recovering better after COVID: Lao PDR

Guest blog by Felipe Morgado Enrolling in the Leading Economic Growth executive programme at Harvard Kennedy School has been a tremendously enriching experience. I am impressed with the number of key ideas and learnings covered over the past ten weeks across both the theory of economic growth and the practice of leadership in public policy. They…Continue Reading Recovering better after COVID: Lao PDR

Developing State Capacity in a Weak State

Village in Bihar state, India

Guest blog written by Dr Himanshu Jha Dr Himanshu Jha is a Lecturer and Research Fellow at the Department of Political Science, South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University. What engenders state capacity in a weak state?  How do weak states develop state capacity? And Under what conditions do policy paradigms succeed in historically weak states? In this…Continue Reading Developing State Capacity in a Weak State