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Addressing the Challenge of Brain Drain and Supporting Returnees in Azerbaijan 

  • Publication date January 7, 2026
A magnifying glass and two passports rest on a colorful world map, symbolizing travel.

Guest Blog by Vugar Aliyev, IPP ’25 First of all, I came to realize just how much quality education Harvard University provides to learners of public policy. The program went beyond theory and delivered practical tools that can be applied immediately in real-world contexts. I not only learned new knowledge but also gained frameworks that…Continue Reading Addressing the Challenge of Brain Drain and Supporting Returnees in Azerbaijan 

Public Services Delivery in Mali: A Manageable Problem

  • Publication date January 5, 2026
Aerial view of Bamako, Mali

Guest Blog by Fatim Haby Mariko, IPP ’25 When I first embarked on the Implementing Public Policy (IPP) program, my problem statement for Mali was ambitious and, as I would soon discover, far too broad to tackle directly. I started with the challenge of Mali’s low public trust and government accountability, which hindered civic engagement. It…Continue Reading Public Services Delivery in Mali: A Manageable Problem

Using PDIA to Address Confidentiality Risks in Papua New Guinea

  • Publication date January 2, 2026
Group photo of team North Star

Guest blog by Elly Toimbo, Joyce Maru, Rose Walen, Renat Muruket, Delwyn Dau and Dellah Maiak We addressed the issue of confidential information being disclosed to perpetrators, which created serious risks. This breach compromised client trust, organizational integrity, and compliance with policy, while also endangering the safety and security of clients, staff, and the organization….Continue Reading Using PDIA to Address Confidentiality Risks in Papua New Guinea

Reducing Workforce Shortages in Maine Through Policy and Partnership 

  • Publication date December 18, 2025
Woman seated in waiting room for interview

Guest Blog by Ekhlas Ahmed, IPP ’25 One of the biggest lessons I learned through the IPP course is that policy is about people. The technical aspects of problem-solving are important, but what truly moves work forward is building relationships, engaging stakeholders, and creating coalitions that keep momentum alive. I also learned the importance of finding my…Continue Reading Reducing Workforce Shortages in Maine Through Policy and Partnership 

Strengthening Employment Pathways for Elite Athletes in Papua New Guinea

  • Publication date December 16, 2025

Guest blog by Lydia Dimokari, Milton Kisapai, Lua Rikis, Basil Jofari and Kollin Killa Taugamu Over the past 12 weeks, our team—Opportunity League—embarked on an incredible learning experience through the PDIA (Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation) approach. Here’s what we discovered, the challenges we tackled, and how this journey is shaping the way we solve problems….Continue Reading Strengthening Employment Pathways for Elite Athletes in Papua New Guinea

Reducing Regional Inequality in Azerbaijan: Tackling Income and Employment Gaps Beyond Baku 

  • Publication date December 11, 2025
Baku, Azerbaijan

Guest Blog by Shamil Shirinov, IPP ’25 When I first joined the IPP course, I thought policy implementation was mostly about having the right plan and making sure it was executed properly. That’s how I had always seen things in practice: deadlines, budgets, checklists. But over time, I came to realize that implementing public policy is less about following…Continue Reading Reducing Regional Inequality in Azerbaijan: Tackling Income and Employment Gaps Beyond Baku 

Increasing the Engagement of Young Adults in STEM Careers in the Dominican Republic

  • Publication date December 9, 2025
An image with STEM in block letters written on a notebook with a magnifying glass.

Guest Blog by Mabely Diaz Soriano, IPP ’25 My journey with the IPP program began with a lot of expectations. The process of waiting for the program to open. After the first time, I contacted the IPP team to request more information on the application. It just added more to my increasing questions about how to implement public policies successfully.   I should stop here and…Continue Reading Increasing the Engagement of Young Adults in STEM Careers in the Dominican Republic

Strengthening Engagement in the BSC Community of Practice

  • Publication date December 5, 2025
Someone holding a paper cutout of people holding hands held up against the reflection of the sun

written by Marietou Diallo The Building State Capability (BSC) Community of Practice (CoP) has grown into a vibrant, global network of practitioners committed to learning, experimenting, and supporting one another in their PDIA journeys. What began as a small alumni space has now expanded into a thriving online community of 600+ members from over 105 countries,…Continue Reading Strengthening Engagement in the BSC Community of Practice