GDI Conference Plenary 3: What is the future for development cooperation? (Ken Opalo & Len Ishmael)

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The presentations offer valuable insights into the current state and future of development cooperation. Opalo’s argument is well-reasoned, drawing on examples from education, agriculture, and energy to illustrate the failures of the aid paradigm. He provides a balanced view, acknowledging the successes in global health while critiquing the overall impact. Ishmael’s presentation, though not fully transcribed, likely adds a geopolitical perspective. The argumentation is solid, though some claims could benefit from more explicit evidence.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The speakers demonstrate scientific rigor by referencing specific data and examples, such as the decline in UK ODA to Kenya and the percentage of children unable to read by age 10. They also cite academic work, such as that of Yuen Yuen Ang. The title accurately reflects the content. The session is well-structured, with clear presentations and a discussion period.

The title accurately reflects the content, which is a plenary session on the future of development cooperation.

8/10

The speakers are established academics and policy experts with relevant expertise. The arguments are well-structured and supported by references to specific data and examples, though some claims are presented without detailed citations.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 00:00Introduction by Diana Mitlin
• 02:00Ken Opalo begins his presentation on 'Growth and Development After Aid'
• 10:00Opalo discusses the decline of aid and its implications
• 20:00Opalo critiques the pathologies of aid and calls for a focus on national development
• 30:00Opalo concludes and Len Ishmael begins her presentation on 'The New Geopolitics of Development Cooperation'
• 40:00Ishmael discusses the role of the Global South in a G-1 world
• 50:00Ishmael concludes and discussion begins
• 1:00:00Audience questions and reflections
• 1:10:00Further discussion and closing remarks

• GDI Conference Third Plenary Abstracts — Description of the plenary session and abstracts
• James Mulholland Videography — Video filming and editing

• Yuen Yuen Ang's talk — Referenced by Opalo as a related perspective on development