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Tag: HKS

‘Don’t be so invested in the solution that you’re unwilling to change course’

Guest blog by Alexandra Bhatti What an exciting, challenging, eye-opening learning and growing experience this has been for me. When I first explored the course, I was skeptical about the ratio of theoretical learning versus practice-based learning I would experience as I have spent many years studying “policy” and related fields. Listening to alumni feedback encouraged…Continue Reading ‘Don’t be so invested in the solution that you’re unwilling to change course’

A half-empty glass and the joy of “failing forward”

Person refusing money

Guest blog by Silverio Zebral Filho I’ve started my PDIA journey 6 months ago, interested in gaining a deeper learning about alternative approaches to tackle a wicked (ill-defined, multi-sourced, technically complex and politically sensitive) problem in the context of large institutional divergence (weak rules, strong social norms), lack of state capacity, declining interpersonal trust and…Continue Reading A half-empty glass and the joy of “failing forward”

Anticipatory Government

Guest blog by Urkhan Seyidov Urkhan Seyidov is an expert in the field of innovation and strategic communication, a senior fellow of the Center for Political Psychology in Azerbaijan, and the author of two books: Innovation – Implementation Guidelines and Soft power and Public Diplomacy of Azerbaijan in the Digital Age.  Imagine a gleaming government office tower in…Continue Reading Anticipatory Government

Fast-tracking Nigeria’s economic recovery

Guest blog by Member Feese When I registered for the course my conception of public policy was the public definition – a course of action developed by a government in response to public problems. However, I was pleasantly surprised when the course began. I realised that public policy is not only for government but for all…Continue Reading Fast-tracking Nigeria’s economic recovery

To Increase Girls’ Schooling, Improve Girls’ Learning

written by Michelle Kaffenberger, Danielle Sobol, Deborah Spindelman, Marla Spivack A new paper shows that girls who are learning are more likely to stay in school. Improving learning could be key to achieving both schooling and learning goals. The G7 recently agreed to two new education objectives: ensure that 40 million more girls attend school and that…Continue Reading To Increase Girls’ Schooling, Improve Girls’ Learning

Reassessing what it means to problem-solve in Laos

Guest blog by Samantha Blake Rudick When I was in middle school, I was part of a program called “Problem Solving.” The concept was one big problem would be presented and then, in a group, students would break this problem down into twenty smaller problems. They would then select one of these smaller issues and come…Continue Reading Reassessing what it means to problem-solve in Laos

Tackling workforce development in Tampa, FL using PDIA

Guest blog by Ocea Wynn When enrolling in the IPP Online, my initial thoughts were that this would be a course extensively focused on theory with very little practical application. I anticipated that if practical examples were presented, they would be so-far removed from the realism of local government work that this course would be another…Continue Reading Tackling workforce development in Tampa, FL using PDIA

The luxury of long-term planning in a predictable environment has outlived its shelf-life

Guest blog by Puneet Balasubramanian I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit. – John F Kennedy (1962) The current global crisis caused by COVID-19 has once…Continue Reading The luxury of long-term planning in a predictable environment has outlived its shelf-life

Police reform in Bridgeport through PDIA: A radical approach to an old problem

Guest blog by Maria Viggiano As America faces a national reckoning over racial injustice and the over-policing of communities of color, the concept of “defunding the police” has become a hot topic in various cities including my hometown of Bridgeport, Connecticut. As Connecticut’s largest city, Bridgeport is home to over 145,000 people, the majority of…Continue Reading Police reform in Bridgeport through PDIA: A radical approach to an old problem

‘IPP helped my transition from the private sector to the public sector’

Guest blog written by Giannis Skiadaresis Being part of this very exceptional course was a great opportunity for me to alter the way I was coping with challenges and to find solutions to problems that I was facing in my day-to-day work. Implementing Public Policy was a very unique chapter in my personal development, which coincided…Continue Reading ‘IPP helped my transition from the private sector to the public sector’