International Development Programs Research Articles

Erratum: Using A Tiered Approach for Implementing Networked Learning Communities: A Case Study on Developing the Capacity of Leaders to Implement Systemwide Innovations within International Training and Development Programs

Erratum: Using A Tiered Approach for Implementing Networked Learning Communities: A Case Study on Developing the Capacity of Leaders to Implement Systemwide Innovations within International Training and Development Programs

Platform kinship and the reshaping of political order in the Somali territories

Abstract Numerous studies show that digital technologies facilitate diaspora engagement in homeland affairs. However, communities in home countries also adapt digital platforms to harness diasporic support and drive socio-political change. Despite a rich literature on ‘digital kinship’, there remains a limited understanding of kinship's broader political and developmental impact, especially in (post)conflict regions. This article draws on fieldwork in the Somali territories to argue that a distinctive model of governance, platform kinship, is emerging as an alternative to existing state and international development programmes. Focusing on WhatsApp, it highlights how the platform's specific features are adapted to Somali segmentary clan structures, enabling kinship groups to bridge digital divides, preserve oral traditions and uphold egalitarian principles. Platform kinship has state-like effects. Through an ecosystem of WhatsApp groups, geographically dispersed kin mediate disputes, coordinate development projects, fund political campaigns, and respond to conflicts and crises. However, it also empowers new actors, including youth, politicians and business elites, while marginalizing elders. Furthermore, because platform kinship strengthens the clan as the central political unit, it can deepen divisions between kinship groups and undermine state-building projects and conceptions of national identity. This has important implications for policy-makers and academics working on digital governance, development and peacebuilding.

Marketing Strategy for Indonesian Law Firms to Attract Multinational and Foreign Clients (USLS Law Firm)

The objective of this research is to develop an effective marketing strategy for USLS Law Firm, a local Indonesian law firm, aiming to penetrate multinational and foreign markets. As the legal industry in Indonesia becomes increasingly competitive, with numerous local law firms establishing international affiliations, USLS Law Firm faces the challenge of enhancing its global presence. This study adopts a comprehensive research methodology, including VRIO, STP Model, Marketing Mix, Business Model Canvas, Competitor Analysis, Customer Analysis, PESTEL, and Porter 5 Forces, and in-depth interviews with USLS Law Firm’s clients and multinational companies. The research proposes several marketing strategies recommendations for USLS Law Firm. These include forming strategic partnerships with reputable international law firms, enhancing training and development programs for junior lawyers, adopting advanced technologies, targeting specific international markets, revising pricing strategies, improving office infrastructure, and strengthening marketing channels through Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC). Additionally, the importance of cultural sensitivity training is emphasized to improve client relationships and service delivery. By implementing these strategies, USLS Law Firm can achieve sustainable growth and maintain its reputation for delivering high-quality legal services, not only for local market, but also multinational and foreign markets.

A practical stakeholder-focused approach for assessing the biosecurity system in Pacific Island countries

ABSTRACT Aims: To develop a structured process for a transparent, efficient, high-level review of a low-resource biosecurity system (limited by physical infrastructure, financial, and human resources), in order to identify and prioritise key areas for future focus which could then lead to interventions, tailored by country, to improve the system. A key requirement was that the approach developed was culturally sensitive and respectful to Pasifika people within the country. Methods: Animal health and biosecurity systems need to be urgently strengthened by Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) if they are to respond to current and future threats. Understanding where additional resources should be allocated to maximise benefit and ensuring buy-in from PICT stakeholders are critical for uptake of any recommendations made. However, there is little available literature on reviewing biosecurity systems, particularly where there is a need for efficiency, simplicity, and cultural sensitivity. A framework was developed through initial in-person consultation between four New Zealand experts who had experience working in international animal health development and support programmes. This was followed by input from informal discussions with selected heads of agriculture in PICTs and included their experiences with previous system reviews, as well as general advice from experts in Pasifika culture. Foundational objectives included simplicity, local inclusivity, and a structured approach, which could be undertaken over a relatively short period of time. A rapid evidence assessment methodology was used to search the available literature (published and grey, search terms biosecurity, system, Pacific, animal, framework, and review used in AND/OR combinations), to establish an evidence base for other methods of biosecurity system review. The developed framework for review of biosecurity systems in low-resource PICTs was based on elements from expert elicitation frameworks, the SurF surveillance evaluation framework and the Performance of Veterinary Services tool from The World Organisation for Animal Health. Results: The developed framework involved bringing stakeholders together in a workshop environment and comprised up to 10 steps including mapping the PICT biosecurity system and exploring attributes of component activities. Understanding the system at a high level enables stakeholders to make informed recommendations on improvements to address future needs. Using the Delphi method, recommendations were then prioritised by stakeholders. Conclusions and clinical relevance: A distinctive difference flowing from the use of the needs analysis described in this process was the empowerment of PICT stakeholders to determine their own needs and priorities, rather than have these developed by external parties.

Think long‐term, embrace persistence, flexibility

Kate Magro's background in domestic and international relief work, helping communities recover from political instability and natural disasters, contributed to her becoming a more effective and innovative student affairs professional. As a self‐described task‐oriented, driven individual, working in those unstable, unpredictable environments where “nothing works as you anticipated,” taught her the importance of flexibility. It came down to finding out “the overarching goal and how to be flexible about getting there,” said Magro, now Associate Vice President for Student Development at Palm Beach Atlantic University and Co‐instructor and Field Supervisor for PBAU's international and community development program.

“Collaborators”, “Guides”, “Facilitators”, and “Advocates”: Using a Spatial Lens to Understand the Roles of NGO Practitioners in Supporting Youth Participation

Youth participation has become an increasing focus for international development programs in the Global South. However, in the home, as well as in the community and formal decision-making spaces, traditional norms often dictate that young people are expected to refrain from raising their views. This presents a dilemma for NGO practitioners who are working with communities on youth participation initiatives. In this paper, I explore the valuable insights of a small number of NGO practitioners who face this dilemma in their practice. I argue that a spatial lens is critical to understanding the key challenges and complexities of youth participation. Particularly, it is essential to understand that practitioners can contribute to the distanciation of the resources, discourses, and practices that enable young people’s participation in intergenerational spaces with adults. I suggest that NGO practitioners can play four key roles, as collaborators, guides, facilitators, and advocates, in different spaces and contexts. By taking on these various roles, they can contribute to young people’s empowered participation. While this study is focused on the context of international development initiatives, the findings can also be applied broadly to initiatives focused on youth participation.

A graphical method for causal program attribution in theory-based evaluation

We describe a simple yet rigorous graphical method for eliminating bias in theory-based program evaluation. The method is an application to social and international development program evaluation of the graphical causal models used to test medical treatments. We implement a graphical causal model for the World Bank’s well-known Bangladesh Integrated Nutrition Project. We show how to construct the graphical causal model to represent program theory in context in explicitly causal terms. We then show how to visually inspect the graphical causal model to distinguish causal from non-causal associations between variables in evaluation data. Finally, we show how to select a set of adjustment variables to neutralize non-causal associations, eliminating bias in all forms of causal inference—qualitative and quantitative, linear and non-linear.

Vectors and Mechanisms of Japan’s Influence for the Development of the Countries of East Asia

The article analyzes the role of Japan in East Asia, as well as defines the vectors and mechanisms of its influence on the countries of the region. The country of the Rising Sun takes an active part in international development, cooperates with international organizations, acts as an active initiator of various international development programs and is one of the largest donors in the world. It was established that Japan constantly provides economic support to ASEAN countries, in particular in the form of official development assistance, builds infrastructure, contributes to the formation of the economic environment, provides technical assistance, promotes the development of human resources, education and health care. The study clarifies the main principles of Japan’s foreign policy regarding international cooperation in their historical development. The author presented the essence of the main doctrines of the Japanese government on supporting the development of SA countries. A comparative analysis of the global initiatives of Tokyo and Beijing and directions of interaction between China and Japan was conducted. The attitude of the ASEAN countries regarding the role of Japan in East Asia is clarified. According to the results of the conducted research, certain conclusions were made regarding the influence of Japan on EA. First, Japan remains a supporter of EA’s policy of peace and prosperity, therefore it takes an active position in ensuring peace and stable development of the region. Secondly, the country’s leadership considers the region in a broader format, more open to the outside world, therefore supports the idea of Indo-Pacific regionalization. Thirdly, Tokyo gives preference to the economic development of EA and implements various regional development mechanisms, in particular: official aid, direct investment and other forms of support. Fourth, the Japanese leadership is aware of China’s power and role in the EA, but adheres to the position of constructive cooperation and avoidance of confrontation. Fifth, Japanese political circles believe that the role of the region in the global processes of globalization will grow, so it is important to take a constructive position regarding interaction with the EA and form a new vision of regional integration.

What do Private Companies Prioritise When Implementing International Development Projects? Evidence from Four Central and Eastern European Donors

As donors channel more of their development assistance through private companies, a discussion is growing on what this shift means for international development. This paper focuses on four Central European donors, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, who have recently implemented new incentives to promote the greater engagement of the private sector in their international development programmes. The paper uses new survey data of project managers at organisations implementing aid projects funded by these four donors to explore how private actors differ in their approaches to aid implementation. The analysis reveals that the type of implementing organisation does not affect their focus on internal project goals (budget, schedule, and scope), but project managers at private firms consider long-term impact and economic sustainability of the project less important. These findings support claims that for-profit organisations exercise a short-term approach to satisfy funders, but lack a deeper focus on long-term development.

Gender Mainstreaming in Indonesia’s Bilateral International Development Cooperation

Gender mainstreaming is an important subject to be mindful of in the Indonesian government’s development cooperation with bilateral development partners. Gender conflict is one of the obstacles that countries face when executing national and international development programs. Indonesia is one of the countries that uses a gender mainstreaming technique to incorporate gender problems into development initiatives. The establishment of a gender mainstreaming strategy (PUG) is vital in developing policies, particularly in carrying out bilateral development cooperation. This is significant for Indonesia as an endeavor to decrease inequality in the country, but Indonesia’s weak PUG is one of the country’s impediments to fulfilling national interests. One of the strategies undertaken by Indonesia to integrate gender mainstreaming into international development is through the Triangular South-South Cooperation Forum in order to form a strategic partnership with Afghanistan and Germany. Afghanistan is seen as a potential bilateral partner with aligned interests in promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality. Given that it is not only Indonesia that has national interests, the second-party countries must also have interests and conditions that are not always mutually agreed upon and might be detrimental to Indonesia. Therefore, the dynamics of bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Afghanistan are interesting to identify, considering that GIZ, as the German representative, is present as a mediator bridging the partnership. Thus, this study aims to explain the strategy for gender mainstreaming in Indonesia’s international development cooperation with bilateral partners, which is also equipped with an analysis of the constraints that affect the outcome of the cooperation.

How Does an Artisan Cooperative Impact Food Perception and Consumer Behaviors? A Rapid Rural Appraisal of Women in East Africa

We examined the impact of artisan cooperatives on East African women related to changes in consumer perception and food choice. We sought to understand how artisan cooperatives were impacting women’s food security, diet, and nutrition. To comprehend the lived experiences of women, a qualitative, phenomenological study was conducted within three purposively selected cooperatives in Rwanda and Kenya. Data was collected using Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) methodologies with three activities. When given a choice, women did not always eat healthier despite having more money and information about healthy diets. Diets shifted to include more sugar and fruit but less vegetables. Culture and location impacted how they cooked, what food was available to them, and what foods they chose to consume. Women explained how a higher income provided greater agency when buying food. It is crucial to comprehend how culture affects a person’s diet before implementation of nutrition programs. Further research is needed to determine if cooperatives geared toward women’s empowerment and economic sustainability can enhance the nutritional benefits of increased income in culturally relevant ways. This study has implications regarding sustainable development goals with international development programs that utilize locally sourced foods and are culturally viable.

Uncertainty and Sensitivity Evaluation of the QUENCH-02 Experiment Simulation Using the ASYST Code

Abstract Uncertainty and sensitivity methods are increasingly used in safety analyzes of nuclear power plants to address the unreliability of input data, numerical models, and, in general, the lack of knowledge regarding certain physical phenomena, in determining safety margins and acceptance criteria. The ASYST code, developed as part of an international nuclear technology ASYST Development and Training Program (ADTP) managed by Innovative Systems Software (ISS), is used to perform an uncertainty analysis of the QUENCH-02 experiment conducted at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. The code uses a probabilistic methodology based on the propagation of input uncertainties. The QUENCH facility contains electrically heated PWR fuel rod simulators and the aim of the experiment is to examine hydrogen generation and the behavior of the fuel rod cladding during core reflood. For selected input parameters, such as steam/water flow, electrical power, and other relevant boundary conditions, it is necessary to define their probability density functions. Input databases are then prepared for individual calculations based on the selected confidence level and confidence interval. The number of performed calculations is 60, large enough to ensure at least 95% coverage of expected output results and uncertainty limits. The results of the calculations are compared with the experimental measurements. The Pearson correlation coefficient is used to obtain correlation between the input uncertain parameters and the output data. Sensitivity analyses cover the influence of variations in the heater's electrical power and the steam flow rate on the hydrogen production and the maximum cladding temperature.

The moderation effect of entrepreneurship development programs on the economic and political empowerment association. Empirical evidence from post-revolution rural Tunisia

Purpose This paper aims to explore individuals’ economic empowerment and political empowerment association and the moderation role of entrepreneurship development programs on this relationship in the context of post-revolution Tunisia, which is a newer developing democracy. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a quantitative approach based on econometric modeling. A questionnaire was designed and administrated to a stratified random sample of 343 participants in the Entrepreneurship for the Participation and Inclusion of Vulnerable Youth in Tunisia program, funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund and implemented in rural northwestern Tunisia between 2017 and 2021. A coarsened exact matching method is also applied for robustness analysis. Findings The analysis shows that when individuals have enhanced economic decision-making agency and are involved in economic networks, they are more likely to demonstrate higher political empowerment. It also shows that expanding rural individuals’ economic opportunities by providing entrepreneurial resources, such as entrepreneurial training and microcredit, strengthens individuals’ economic empowerment and political empowerment association. Practical implications The study provides practical implications for policymakers in newer developing democracies. Citizens’ political empowerment and inclusion in rural areas could be promoted by developing entrepreneurship development programs, which could help reinforce the citizens-state relationship and establish more stable social contracts. The research also provides practical implications for the international development community, donor agencies and program designers through duplicating similar programs in other countries with weak central government structures (i.e. post-conflict environments, post-revolution). Originality/value The research attempts to contribute to the ongoing debates linking entrepreneurship, economic empowerment and political/citizen empowerment. It focuses on a Middle East and North Africa country, Tunisia, characterized by socioeconomic issues and low civic participation.

International development contested: the American Child Health Section in Belgium (1922–1924)

ABSTRACT Failed humanitarian projects provide us with an opportunity to shed light on the complex interactions and conflicts among international donors, humanitarian workers and local recipients. This article explores such a contested and terminated project in post-First World War Belgium. The Child Health Section (1922–24) was a US international development programme initiated by Herbert Hoover and the Commission for Relief in Belgium Educational Foundation. Its aim was to provide health education to school children. Despite reaching 113,136 Belgian children between the ages of six and 12 in 1221 schools across the country, the project was abruptly discontinued after only one year. This contribution examines why the development assistance programme failed by using a micro-historical approach combined with concepts from development studies. The well-kept records of the CHS on the enduring conflicts with Belgian administrations reveal how US assumptions about their role in transforming or modernizing Europe clashed with (the diverse) European views on their own post-war reconstruction. This case demonstrates that the shift from providing short-term, needs-based humanitarian assistance to investing in long-term international development assistance did not always go smoothly or uncontested in post-war Europe.

When educators are locked down: transitioning an international faculty development program from in-person to online during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced international faculty development programs in medical education to forgo in-person activities and transition to online learning. We sought to examine changes in international medical educators' evaluations of our faculty development program as it transitioned due to the pandemic. Methods: We compared survey responses from participants in our International Medical Educators Program between 2019 (in-person) and 2020 (online). The 43-item survey addressed aspects such as program evaluation and self-assessment of curriculum development and teaching skills. We analyzed data using t-tests to compare means and chi-square test for categorical variables, and performed thematic analysis of open-ended responses. Results: We found that trainees in both cohorts rated the program highly with regard to overall program quality and self-assessed learning outcomes, but the 2019 group reported stronger relationships with peers and instructors. Some scores for self-assessed outcomes were lower for the 2020 class, but no statistically significant differences were found in pre- and post- training scores between the two cohorts. Four themes emerged from the feedback: positive program utility, IMEP as an example of good curriculum design, timing issues, and online learning environment challenges. Conclusions: Despite pandemic challenges, the transition to online faculty development was favorably evaluated, with high confidence in the applicability of learned skills. Future efforts should focus on fostering community and optimizing interaction times to enhance learning experiences. The study contributes insights for global medical education communities in pandemic circumstances.

INDIAN AGRICULTURAL POLICIES AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIONS DURING COLD WAR

The article examines the relationship between Indian agricultural policies and media representations during the Cold War. Drawing on archival research, the authors argue that the Indian government’s agricultural policies were shaped by a complex interplay of domestic and international factors, including the country’s growing population, the need for self-sufficiency in food production, and Cold War geopolitics. The authors suggest that the media played a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of Indian agricultural policies during this period. They argue that the media, both in India and abroad, often portrayed Indian agriculture as backward and inefficient, and highlighted the country’s dependence on foreign aid to support its food production. At the same time, the authors note that there were also alternative voices in the media that challenged these dominant narratives and called for a more nuanced understanding of Indian agriculture. These alternative voices included journalists, scholars, and activists who argued that Indian agriculture was undergoing a transformation, and that the country had the potential to become a major food producer in the world. The authors suggest that these diverse media representations had important implications for Indian agricultural policies. On the one hand, negative media coverage reinforced the Indian government’s commitment to self-sufficiency in food production, and spurred it to pursue policies aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and modernising the sector. On the other hand, the authors argue that the media also had a more critical role to play in holding the government accountable for its policies, and in promoting a more nuanced understanding of Indian agriculture. They suggest that this critical function of the media was particularly important in the context of Cold War geopolitics, which often shaped the international aid and development programs that supported Indian agriculture.

An International Web-based Preceptor Development Program for Nigerian Pharmacists, A Pilot Study

ObjectiveTo implement an international web-based program for preceptor development in Nigeria and assess its impact on Nigerian pharmacists’ knowledge and attitudes toward effective precepting skills. MethodsA web-based preceptor development program was developed and offered to the participants of the 1-year special Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) conversion program. This preceptor development program included recorded webinars on key identified topics to support the participants’ preparation to precept PharmD students, including practice site development, evaluating and providing feedback to students, and interprofessional collaboration. In addition, surveys were administered before and after participation to assess the knowledge and attitudes toward effective precepting skills. Multiple-choice and short-answer questions were used to assess knowledge. Attitudes were ranked on a 4-point Likert scale. ResultsThe program was completed by 94 participants from over 20 Nigerian states. From the pre to postsurveys, the participants demonstrated a significant improvement in their knowledge of effective precepting skills. In addition, although most respondents initially agreed with survey questions gauging views about preceptor roles and responsibilities, the perceptions improved. ConclusionAn international web-based preceptor development program was successfully delivered to pharmacy educators across Nigeria and improved their knowledge and attitudes toward effective precepting. Expanding this program to include pharmacists throughout Nigeria as a continuing education resource can aid in preparing pharmacy educators in the nation to precept students in the new PharmD curricula and support international initiatives to promote pharmacy education and practice.

Revamping Local and Regional Development through local regional management practices

through local regional management practices. Local and regional development is facilitated often upon the implementation of local and regional management practices by the government and civil authorities in a specific geographic area. Another unique and exciting way to reevaluate international development programs is via local and regional management techniques. They are inspiring locals to think strategically rather than waiting for solutions. Thus, they may have a big impact, but their effectiveness might be limited by local capacity issues, coordination issues, and a lack of robust local institutions. Capacity development programs must be suitably matched to local realities to promote beneficiary participation. Building capacity may be done on various scales, with various short- and long-term goals, and using various techniques. Beneficiaries need more intensive focused assistance, at least in the near future, to complete the particular research needed to put a request for review and funding into action. The proliferation of jobs, a rise in the standard of living, better income, and better opportunities are all important dimensions of regional and local development.
 Keywords: local development, region development, management practices

Designing an International Faculty Development Program in Medical Education: Capacity and Partnership

Providing international medical educators with opportunities for faculty development has become a favorable moment for capacity building and the creation of partnerships with universities around the world. It has also become a social responsibility when such a development implies growth and improvement for the institutions involved. In 2018 and 2019, the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry designed and delivered an international faculty development program (IFDP) in Edmonton, Canada, in collaboration with the faculty management from Jilin University and Wenzhou Medical University, and Shandong University. The inspiration for program driven by capacity development for three universities in China, all of whom were developing strategies to respond to new government policies for medical education. The focus of the course was based on the needs that the three institutions expressed: teaching innovation, research, and quality curriculum development. By design, the two-week, in-person program included lectures, personal tutorials, class and laboratories observations, as well as guided teaching visits to hospitals and university museums. Recommendations are offered to assist other international faculty development programs focused on capacity building for medical education.

Understanding and Embracing Culture in International Faculty Development.

Research on international faculty development programs (IFDPs) has demonstrated many positive outcomes; however, participants' cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and behaviors have often been overlooked in these investigations. The goal of this study was to explore the influences of culture on teaching and learning in an IFDP. Using interpretive description as the qualitative methodology, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 Fellows and 5 Faculty of a US-based IFDP. The authors iteratively performed a constant comparative analysis to identify similar patterns and themes. Transformative Learning Theory informed the analysis and interpretation of the results. This research identified three themes related to the influences of culture on teaching and learning. First, cultural differences were not seen as a barrier to learning; instead, they tended to act as a bridge to cultural awareness and network building. Second, some cultural differences produced a sense of unease and uncertainty, which led to adaptations, modifications, or mediation. Third, context mattered, as participants' perspectives were also influenced by the program culture and their professional backgrounds and experiences. The cultural diversity of health professions educators in an IFDP did not impede learning. A commitment to future action, together with the ability to reflect critically and engage in dialectical discourse, enabled participants to find constructive solutions to subtle challenges. Implications for faculty development included the value of enhanced cultural awareness and respect, explicit communication about norms and expectations, and building on shared professional goals and experiences.