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341. A Win-Win: Migration Partnerships for an Aging EU Workforce

Author:
Helen Dempster, Pete Baker, and Samuel Huckstep
Publication Date:
09-2024
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Global Development (CGD)
Abstract:
European Union (EU) member states have ambitious green transition targets and healthcare strategies in place, requiring the relevant sectors to expand. Yet these sectors are already suffering from large workforce shortages. Expanding skilled migration from third countries to the EU to meet these shortages risks stripping countries of origin of the talent they need for their own goals. Any skilled migration therefore needs to be pursued within partnerships which prioritise meaningful benefits to the country of origin to combat “brain drain”, a “win-win” policy solution. This can be done through the Global Skill Partnership model, wherein the country of destination pays for the training of workers within the country of origin, some of whom migrate. While migration is a member state competence, there is real opportunity for the incoming European Commission to make a global difference in three ways: (1) expand funding for pilot projects; (2) support the development of new partnerships; and (3) be a positive voice for the role of skilled migration.
Topic:
Migration, European Union, Skilled Labor, European Commission, and Green Transition
Political Geography:
Global Focus

342. Making Migration Work for Adaptation: Classifying Remittances as Climate Finance

Author:
Samuel Huckstep and Jonathan Beynon
Publication Date:
10-2024
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Global Development (CGD)
Abstract:
Labour migration programmes targeted towards climate-vulnerable populations can provide transformative finance, raising household incomes and allowing adaptation. Current flows of adaptation finance are highly insufficient. Mobilisation of private adaptation finance is very low, despite commitments to increase mobilisation. Targeted labour migration programmes can leverage private adaptation finance at a high level of efficiency. Incentivising the selection of migrant labour from communities most vulnerable to climate change by counting a portion of their remittance flows as mobilised private climate finance may therefore have significant benefits.
Topic:
Climate Change, Development, Migration, Adaptation, and Remittances
Political Geography:
Global Focus

343. Localization in Theory and Practice

Author:
Ranil Dissanayake
Publication Date:
10-2024
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Global Development (CGD)
Abstract:
The movement for localization in foreign aid presents philosophical and practical challenges for providers of foreign aid. In the past, some level of localization (to at least state actors) of both decision-making and spending could be achieved through general and sector budget support, a logistically simple (though politically difficult) approach. Current practices, with more aid disbursed in the form of discrete projects, make localization more difficult to achieve. For development agencies to make progress they must confront conceptual, practical and strategic challenges. This paper suggests practical definitions of different kinds of localization and what they seek to achieve, points out trade-offs between them and sets out how they challenge current conceptions of how and what foreign aid seeks to do, as well as suggest limits to the optimal extent and type of localization. It then considers practical difficulties in implementing these different conceptions of localization given existing donor practices and capacities, and the strategic challenges of realizing the desired outcomes—specifically principal-agent problems within the organization and with contractors. It concludes with key lessons and messages for donors and funding agencies.
Topic:
Development, Humanitarian Aid, Reform, USAID, and Localization
Political Geography:
Global Focus

344. Climate and Development KPIs

Author:
Ian Mitchell and Edward Wickstead
Publication Date:
11-2024
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Global Development (CGD)
Abstract:
How committed are countries to tackling climate change at home and in developing countries? These tables provides nine key indicators on the world’s major economies spanning their climate contributions in three areas: emissions, policy, and international finance. Indicators are calculated to be comparable between countries with several expressed relative to population or economy size. Countries are ordered by the number of indicators on which they score in the best quartile, with indicators shaded for top quartile performance.
Topic:
Climate Change, Development, Climate Finance, and Economy
Political Geography:
Global Focus

345. Multilateral Development Banks in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations: Overview of Key Policy, Financial, and Operational Issues

Author:
Koldo Echebarria
Publication Date:
12-2024
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Global Development (CGD)
Abstract:
This paper presents an overview of significant policy, financial, and operational challenges encountered by multilateral development banks (MDBs) in fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS). The data indicates that MDBs have increased their involvement in financing FCS compared to bilateral and other multilateral donors, with the World Bank playing the most significant role. This is explained by financial and operational comparative advantages inherent in the MDB business model, despite their implicit biases and constraints. The paper reviews the strategies and framework documents adopted by MDBs to address FCS as a distinct development challenge, highlighting the complexity of translating knowledge advancements and lessons learned into operational categories and clear priorities. It also examines how MDBs are placed regarding the recommendations of the "peace-humanitarian-development nexus," which is central to the international consensus for addressing FCS. The evolution of the financial capacities of MDBs and the criteria for resource allocation in response to the needs of FCS are analyzed. The paper concludes by posing a set of questions that MDBs and their shareholders should consider as they develop reforms to meet FCS-specific requirements and strengthen performance and outcomes.
Topic:
Development, World Bank, Banking, Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), and Sustainable Development
Political Geography:
Global Focus

346. La lucha contra la violencia contra las mujeres y la violencia doméstica

Author:
Claudia de Mesa
Publication Date:
02-2024
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
El informe destaca tres avances significativos de la propuesta de Directiva en comparación con el Convenio de Estambul. La perspectiva de género, por un lado, integrada de manera indisociable en la violencia contra la mujer y reconociendo a las mujeres como víctimas por razón de su género. En segundo lugar, el mayor alcance de la Directiva respecto al Convenio, especialmente al imponer la obligatoriedad de su transposición por parte de los Estados Miembros. Por último, que su naturaleza jurídica permite abordar a agentes no estatales. Sin embargo, se señala que tanto ambos textos omiten abordar la trata de personas con fines de explotación sexual, a pesar de ser un grave problema con una dimensión de género significativa. En este sentido, se ha pretendido analizar la estrecha interconexión entre la trata de personas y la prostitución, probándose que esta es innegable y que, además, el negocio de la prostitución-y la trata, consecuentemente- se adapta constantemente a las circunstancias para aumentar sus beneficios.
Topic:
Women, Gender Based Violence, Public Policy, and Domestic Violence
Political Geography:
Global Focus

347. El Ingreso Mínimo: Vital Evaluación de los tres primeros años de la gran iniciativa de protección social

Author:
Juan Antonio Martínez-Sánchez
Publication Date:
02-2024
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
Este documento intenta recoger los puntos de vista expresados en la jornada que tuvo lugar el día 23 de noviembre de 2023 en la sede de la Fundación Alternativas, el think-tank independiente y progresista, algo más de tres años después de la implementación del Ingreso Mínimo Vital. Los contenidos de este documento han sido elaborados por el moderador del acto, Octavio Granado, ex Secretario de Estado de Seguridad Social, y el equipo del Laboratorio de Políticas Públicas de la Fundación Alternativas. Cuentan con la aprobación, la revisión y las aportaciones de las personas que intervinieron en la jornada.
Topic:
Public Policy, Universal Basic Income, and Social Protection
Political Geography:
Global Focus

348. Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence: An Emerging Issue in Women, Peace and Security

Author:
Kristine Baekgaard
Publication Date:
12-2024
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS)
Abstract:
As the uses and abuses of technology develop at a rapid rate, the growing threat and consequences of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) must be addressed by those working to advance the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda. Existing policies and programs must be adapted and new ones adopted to account for digital dimensions of gender-based violence (GBV) and to keep online spaces safe for women. Technology has helped advance women’s rights around the world in important ways. Technological tools make education and employment more accessible, and online spaces create new opportunities to build movements and amplify calls for equality and justice. These gains serve the goals of the WPS Agenda, which aims to protect and empower women in conflict-affected contexts. Along with these benefits, however, are substantial costs. Globally, 66 percent of women have reported experiencing TFGBV—including instances of cyber-harassment and stalking, doxxing, and image-based sexual abuse. Further, there are increasing reports of digital tools being used to exacerbate offline violence. For example, sexual assaults of Iranian protesters have been filmed and used to blackmail the protesters, and women in Pakistan have been killed as a result of photoshopped images being posted online. National governments and international organizations increasingly recognize TFGBV as a pressing issue. Existing research and policies focus on the impact of TFGBV on specific women—primarily, politicians and journalists—with less attention paid to the implications of TFGBV for the WPS Agenda, particularly with regard to protecting women from GBV and promoting their participation in peace processes. Given the scale, scope, and impact of TFGBV, the WPS field must evolve to account for the unique challenges women are facing in an increasingly digitized world. Based on a comprehensive desk review of existing TFGBV literature, this report explores the linkages between TFGBV and the goals of the WPS Agenda. The first section introduces the WPS Agenda, specifically focusing on its structure and the context for its creation. The next section links TFGBV with the protection goals of WPS, outlining the prevalence of existing types of digital violence and the challenges with addressing them. It further highlights the link between digital and offline violence, demonstrating that protection efforts must account for a continuum of violence. The third section draws out threats TFGBV poses to the participation goals of WPS. It identifies three key dimensions of TFGBV that hinder women’s participation in peace and politics: targeted attacks against prominent women, the “gendered chilling effect” of online violence that discourages women from participating in online spaces, and online radicalization and misogyny.
Topic:
Science and Technology, Women, and Gender Based Violence
Political Geography:
Global Focus

349. Technological Innovation and Cybersecurity: The Role of the G7

Author:
Ettore Greco and Federica Marconi
Publication Date:
05-2024
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Istituto Affari Internazionali
Abstract:
In an era of unprecedented technological advancement, digital transformation is revealing its enormous potential, but also presenting new challenges. At its core, it represents a catalyst for innovation, igniting advancements that enhance productivity and propel economic growth. Thus, harnessing its transformative power holds the promise of unlocking new opportunities, solving complex challenges and ultimately shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for humanity. However, rapid technological progress has ushered in a new era of interconnectedness and interdependence, where nations are increasingly reliant on digital systems and networks to power their economies and safeguard their national security. In this regard, the intersection of technological advancement and the amplification of geopolitical tensions has brought into sharp focus the myriad threats that countries face in the contemporary landscape. Among others, cyberattacks, in particular, have grown more sophisticated, transcending national borders and necessitating collaboration and partnerships among nations to protect against such threats. These challenges have prompted all major actors – both public and private – to intensify their efforts to protect their data and digital assets. They are devising and implementing a variety of risk management strategies. The empirical evidence shows that the most effective and resilient cybersecurity policies and approaches are those tailored to specific risks and security requirements. Individual organisations need to adopt the cybersecurity measures most appropriate for the challenges they face, based on a careful risk assessment. This requires the adoption of internationally recognised cybersecurity frameworks and standards that are based upon the principles of risk management and that are relevant across sectors to strengthen consistency and continuity among interconnected sectors and throughout global supply chains. Cybersecurity threats are transnational by definition and as such they can be countered effectively only through global mechanisms aimed at risk reduction and trust building. A primary objective of multilateral cooperation should be the adoption of interoperable policy frameworks that promote international harmonisation and consistent cybersecurity mechanisms. The G7 can provide a fundamental impulse for this cooperation at the global level by encouraging the development and implementation of risk-based, consensus-driven frameworks, standards and risk management best practices. A commitment to these internationally recognised cyber risk management approaches and frameworks can advance economic security and enhance cyber resilience across the ecosystem.
Topic:
Science and Technology, Cybersecurity, Innovation, G7, and Digital Policy
Political Geography:
Global Focus

350. The “latecomers” of Bougainville: The difficult completion of post-conflict disarmament processes

Author:
Theò Bajon
Publication Date:
03-2024
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
Post-conflict disarmament processes inherently grapple with definitional challenges regarding definitive endpoints and measures of completion. This paper examines the phenomenon of delayed disarmament through the case study of so-called “latecomers” in Bougainville—ex-combatants who voluntarily surrendered their weapons following the cessation of formal demobilisation, disarmament, and reintegration programming. This study proposes a behavioural model that conceptualises late comer decisionmaking dynamics pertaining to temporary small arms retention. Pivoting upon an iterated security dilemma framework, the model posits that contextual environmental stressors and temporal factors serve as key variables initially sustaining weapons possession in the absence of hostilities. However, this intermediate status carries risks of eventual escalation to renewed violence or protracted and arduous disarmament engagement. The latecomer case reveals the inherent fluidity and uncertainties surrounding delimitations of the disarmament process. Further interrogating ex-combatant dilemmas could strengthen post-conflict policy and practice. Fundamentally, this research demonstrates the enduring temporal ambiguities inherent to disarmament, highlighting the need for pluralistic understandings attentive to issues of indigeneity, humanity, and interpretive meaning central to sustainable peace-building.
Topic:
International Security, Disarmament, Conflict, and Peacebuilding
Political Geography:
Global Focus