GLOBAL DISPATCHES PREMIUM

Get smart. Get Premium Access.

US$14.99/mo or US$79.99/yr after trial

Global Dispatches -- World News That Matters

Global Dispatches
  • 0.0 (0)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The longest running independent international affairs podcast features in-depth interviews with policymakers, journalists and experts around the world who discuss global news, international relations, global development and key trends driving world affairs. Named by The Guardian as "a podcast to make you smarter," Global Dispatches is a podcast for people who crave a deeper understanding of international news.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    The UN and the Crisis of Liberalism | Re-Thinking Humanitarianism

    A few weeks ago, my To Save Us From Hell co-host Anjali Dayal and I joined Tammam Aloudat, CEO of The New Humanitarian, for an episode of their podcast ReThinking Humanitarianism. The questions Tammam posed—and the topics we explored—were big-picture ones: how can the UN, a fundamentally liberal institution shaped by liberal values, function and survive in an era when those very values are under sustained challenge? It was a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation that I’m delighted to share directly with Global Dispatches subscribers. If you want even more UN-focused content, consider becoming a paying subscriber at GlobalDispatches.org. A subscription gives you full access to To Save Us From Hell, my premium podcast about the UN, as well as UN Dispatch, where I publish regular UN-focused analysis. We’re running a UNGA discount this month: 40% off. Subscribe now to unlock my personal UNGA preview along with all UNGA-related coverage. You can sign up at GlobalDispatches.org or use this direct link: https://www.globaldispatches.org/40PercentOff

    1 hr
  2. How to Transform Education in Africa | Future of Africa, Episode 5

    2 DAYS AGO

    How to Transform Education in Africa | Future of Africa, Episode 5

    Education in Africa must do more than keep up — it must leap ahead. Vimbai Masiyiwa champions entrepreneurship education that sparks job creation, while Minister Serigne Mbaye Thiam draws lessons from reforming Senegal’s school system for a digital future. Tina Muparadzi links skills development directly to economic transformation, making the case for public–private partnerships that align learning with labor market needs. The conversation digs into how digital literacy, innovative financing, and gender equality can work together to equip Africa’s next generation. It’s a blueprint for education that prepares students for the future of work and leadership. Guests Minister Serigne Mbaye Thiam, Global Partnership for Education High-Level Envoy and Advisor for Education and former Minister of Education of Senegal Ms. Tina Muparadzi, Executive Director for the Education and Transitions programming platform at Mastercard Foundation’s Education, Learning & Youth Livelihood Team Vimbai Masiyiwa, Entrepreneur & CEO of Batoka Africa Background Materials Educating Girls Generates Economic Transformation In Africa, Mastercard Foundation Why Africa Urgently Requires Transformation of its Education Systems, Brookings Education Multiplies Possibility: Young People's Call for Action, Global Partnership for Education

    1 hr

  3. 6 DAYS AGO

    A Simmering Conflict in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado Region is Suddenly Getting Worse

    Cabo Delgado is Mozambique’s northernmost province, bordering Tanzania. Since 2017, it has been gripped by a violent insurgency, when Islamist militants began attacking villages, towns, and government forces. The region is also home to major natural gas deposits, in which the French energy giant Total has invested heavily. But after a wave of attacks in 2021, Total suspended operations. Foreign troops—including forces from Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community—have since helped the Mozambican government regain some territory. Still, sporadic attacks continue, and the humanitarian crisis remains acute. In recent weeks, there has been a sharp uptick in violence, displacing about 60,000 people. Joining me to discuss the ongoing crisis in Cabo Delgado, the role of mineral extraction in fueling the conflict, and what the Mozambican government and international community can do to curb the violence is Romao Xavier, Oxfam in Southern Africa's Country Representative for Mozambique. We begin by examining the latest surge in violence before taking a broader look at what drives this conflict—and what it might take to bring it under control. Support our humanitarian journalism with your paid subscription https://www.globaldispatches.org/

    27 min
  4. How to Solve the "Trust Deficit" in Africa | Future of Africa, Episode 4

    3 SEPT

    How to Solve the "Trust Deficit" in Africa | Future of Africa, Episode 4

    When people don’t trust their institutions, the social fabric of a society is weakened. But that “trust deficit” can — and must — be closed. In this episode of our Future of Africa series, we explore innovative and practical approaches to enhancing trust and cooperation between people and their institutions -- from grassroots communities to global multilateral forums. Featuring Samson Itodo, a renowned advocate for electoral integrity and youth participation in Nigeria; Joseph Asunka, CEO of Afrobarometer; Chernor Bah, Minister of Information and Civic Education from Sierra Leone; and Chimdi Neliaku, a member of the African Union’s Panel of the Future and Special Assistant to the Hon. Speaker, House of Representatives of Nigeria on Interparliamentary Affairs and Public Relations, this conversation showcases positive pathways to inclusive governance. Drawing on inspiring personal journeys, Samson shares insights from mobilizing young voters in Nigeria’s democratic processes; Chernor brings decades of advocacy experience as a youth leader who successfully integrated young voices into high-level peace, reconciliation, and education campaigns—now working from within government to broaden civic engagement and transparency in Sierra Leone; Chimdi reflects on empowering African youth within AU initiatives, showing how the next generation positively shapes governance; and Joseph brings years of public opinion research to explain the drivers of this trust deficit. Together, they highlight how inclusive leadership and effective citizen-government dialogue foster stronger trust, accountability, and intergenerational cooperation. Effective governance depends on mutual trust—between citizens, governments, institutions, and international organizations. This episode explains how that can be achieved. Samson Itodo represents dynamic young leadership in civil society – he has organized young voters and driven campaigns like “Not Too Young to Run,” giving him on-the-ground perspective on citizens’ democratic aspirations and frustrations. Joseph Asunka offers a data-centric perspective, drawing from Afrobarometer’s extensive public opinion research across Africa. His expertise in governance, accountability, and citizen engagement sheds light on the continent’s internal dynamics influencing its external relations. Chernor Bah brings unique insights from both grassroots advocacy and government leadership, having led global youth initiatives, co-founded the A World at School campaign, and now as Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, actively broadening civic engagement and strengthening trust in government. Chimdi Neliaku represents the young communities and grassroots viewpoint – a young changemaker experienced with the Global Shapers Community and AU’s youth initiatives, advocating for the next generation to have a seat at the table.

    1h 4m

  5. 29 AUG • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    US Nixes UNIFIL and Denies Famine in Gaza. Plus, is Antonio Guterres Too Timid? | To Save Us From Hell

    The United States this week pulled the plug on UNIFIL, the decades-old UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon. Every other member of the Security Council—and Lebanon itself—wanted it to stay. But Israel has long bristled at the mission, and Washington was happy to do its regional ally a favor. At another Council meeting, the U.S. stood completely alone—quite literally—denying that famine is underway in Gaza. Meanwhile, in the Guardian, former top UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths blasted a lack of “courage” at the UN. Was that a veiled jab at his old boss, António Guterres? Mark and Anjali break it all down and more in this episode of the smash hit podcast To Save Us From Hell — which really does have a cult following at the UN these days! Discount link: https://www.globaldispatches.org/40PercentOff

    39 min

  6. 28 AUG

    A Major Study Finds Giving Pregnant Women Cash Massively Improves Children's Health

    A new study out of Kenya shows that one of the most impactful ways to reduce infant and child mortality is to provide cash—no strings attached—to pregnant women. A randomized controlled trial by economists from UC Berkeley and Oxford University found that unconditional cash transfers reduced infant mortality by 48% and under-5 child mortality by 45% in rural Kenya. These results suggest that this intervention is as impactful for improving child health as the provision of vaccines or antimalarial drugs. I'm joined today by Dr. Miriam Laker-Oketta, Senior Research Advisor at GiveDirectly, the nonprofit that carried out the cash transfers on which this research is based. In our conversation, Dr. Laker-Oketta explains why well-timed cash transfers to women late in pregnancy can so dramatically improve health outcomes. She also discusses how this new study adds to the growing body of evidence on the impact of unconditional cash transfers for people living in poverty in the developing world—and why such interventions are logistically simple yet politically difficult to scale. Support our work with a paid subscription to Global Dispatches!  https://www.globaldispatches.org/

    24 min
  7. How Global Development Finance Deals Can Actually Drive Local Impact | Future of Africa Episode 3

    26 AUG

    How Global Development Finance Deals Can Actually Drive Local Impact | Future of Africa Episode 3

    Making promises on financing for development is the easy part. Following through on them is hard. Ambassador Chola Milambo speaks frankly about turning global financing commitments into tangible benefits for African communities. Chidi Okpala highlights the role of innovative private-sector partnerships, while Tumi Mkhizi Malebo offers a youth perspective on making finance work for the next generation and Nabila Ageule emphasizes the particularly important role of young women. Together, they map out what it takes to bridge the gap between conference promises and action on the ground, from transparency and inclusive planning to youth-led monitoring of how funds are actually spent. If you’ve ever wondered why big financial agreements rarely reach the people they’re meant to serve, this episode offers both the diagnosis and the solution. Guests Ambassador Dr. Chola Milambo, Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Chidi Okpala, Executive Director of Group Integration and Strategy, Heirs Holdings Nabila Aguele, Chief Executive, Nigeria at the Malala Fund Tumi Mkhize Malebo, United Nations Foundation Partnerships Next Generation Fellow Background Materials Africa: Unlocking Africa's Future - The Imperative of Domestic Resource Mobilization, All Africa Foresight Africa: Top Priorities of the Continent 2025-2030, Brookings Institution Our Future Agenda Quarterly Rewriting the Rules of Finance, Our Future Agenda

    1 hr

  8. 21 AUG

    Can a Series of Global AI Summits Actually Shape the Rules that will Govern the World’s most Powerful Technology?

    In 2023, the United Kingdom hosted the world’s first major international summit on the risks of advanced artificial intelligence. That Bletchley Park gathering kicked off a series of high-profile summits — in Seoul in 2024, in Paris earlier this year, and with India set to host the next in 2026. But here’s the big question: are these summits actually building the guardrails the world needs to keep AI safe — or are they falling short? My guest today, Robert F. Trager, says the answer depends on whether this summit series is reformed. Trager is Co-Director of the Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative, which recently published a roadmap for how the AI Summit Series can live up to its potential. We dig into those recommendations, and we also take stock of what these summits have accomplished so far — and what’s at stake if they fail. This episode was supported through a grant from the Tarbell Center for AI Journalism Report mentioned: The Future of the AI Summit Series

    27 min
See All (1.2K)

Hosts & Guests

About

The longest running independent international affairs podcast features in-depth interviews with policymakers, journalists and experts around the world who discuss global news, international relations, global development and key trends driving world affairs. Named by The Guardian as "a podcast to make you smarter," Global Dispatches is a podcast for people who crave a deeper understanding of international news.

Information

You Might Also Like