Marc J. Cohen, Amy Croome and Elise Nalbandian introduce a new Oxfam report that sets out how the veto power of a few countries at the UN Security Council has been catastrophic for humanity. Ahead of next week’s landmark Summit of the Future, they demand four changes to reform a UN system that is simply no longer up to the challenge of maintaining international peace and security.
Book Review: Power to the People: Use Your Voice, Change the World, by Danny Sriskandarajah
From ‘liquid democracy’, to the ‘underground fungal network’ of citizenship that supports progressive change, the former Oxfam GB CEO offers lots of useful ideas about how the 21st century can live up to its initial promise as the ‘century of the citizen’, says Duncan Green.
Why is inequality so sticky? The political obstacles to a fairer economy
Theory tells us that democracies should become more equal. So why are they still so unequal? Gideon Coolin, Emanuele Sapienza, and Andy Sumner on their new UNDP paper that unpicks the politics of inequality.
How can programmes to change farming markets be led by national NGOs?
Ashley Aarons sets out how international organisations can enable national NGOs to take the lead on efforts to change the lives of smaller farmers, including changing contracts, training and supporting coalitions.
Who is heard – and who is believed? How understanding power is essential to reporting misconduct in the aid sector
Ania Gaboune introduces a new Oxfam report that analyses innovative work in Ghana and Iraq to address barriers to reporting misconduct – and sets out how projects can develop more accessible, survivor-centred reporting mechanisms.
What has data anonymisation got to do with shifting power in development?
Respecting research participants around the globe means protecting their privacy and right to consent and also ensuring their data is well used, say Eve Grennan and David Chiana – as they share newly anonymised data about the impact of Oxfam’s work, which can now be used by anyone