DevTalks is a podcast produced by DevTech Systems, Inc. that features experts from the field of international development to discuss contemporary issues impacting the field and learn about their work.
DevTalks Deep Dive: A Look at Green Building Codes In Paraguay and Zambia and
DevTalks explores how green building codes in Paraguay and Zambia, informed by USAID-funded research, are revolutionizing construction and fostering resilient communities worldwide.
25 Nov 2024
Unearthing Potential Part Two: ASEAN's Critical Mineral Landscape
DevTalks hosts explore actionable solutions with Google's NotebookLM to unlock ASEAN's critical mineral potential and build a resilient, sustainable energy future.
18 Nov 2024
Unearthing Potential: ASEAN's Critical Mineral Landscape
With the help of cutting-edge and innovative software, Google's NotebookLM, we explore a recent DevTech publication for USAID, the Landscape Analysis of Critical Minerals in Southeast Asia. The report examines Southeast Asia’s potential as a critical minerals powerhouse, especially in key battery minerals like nickel and manganese.
With global demand for these minerals surging, the report highlights the region’s position across the value chain as well as barriers such as supply chain challenges, limited investment, governance issues, and environmental risks.
Our podcast delves into the report's key findings, including calls for an accelerated #ASEAN mining vision, enhanced public awareness, stronger data management, and a stable investment environment to support Southeast Asia’s critical role in the future of clean energy technologies.
Listen to part one of the two part special now. The next episode will feature our recommendations to improve the transparency and efficacy of the ASEAN region's critical minerals sector.
Read the Landscape Analysis here: https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA021ZQZ.pdf (https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA021ZQZ.pdf)
30 Oct 2024
Humanitarianism and Development feat. Jeff Fahey and Stephen Martineau
In this episode, DevTech's Leon "Skip" Waskin welcomes his longtime friend, actor and humanitarian advocate Jeff Fahey, along with Steve Martineau, Executive Director of Friends Forever International (FFI), to the podcast. Skip guides Jeff and Steve through a conversation about their contributions to international development. Jeff reflects on his humanitarian work and global travels, while Steve discusses FFI, its mission, and the transformative impact it has had on young people worldwide. Together, they explore the deep personal significance of their work and the crucial role empathy plays in their efforts to serve humankind.
Jeff Fahey is an American actor known for his roles in films such as Silverado and The Lawnmower Man and television shows like Lost. Beyond his successful acting career, Fahey has dedicated much of his life to humanitarian efforts, working in conflict zones and impoverished regions around the world. His extensive work includes advocating for refugees and supporting various global development projects, reflecting his deep commitment to improving lives through compassion and action.
As Executive Director of Friends Forever International, Steve Martineau has led the organization's expansion since November 2005. Steve has over 25 years of experience in the NGO sector. Under his leadership, FFI has established sites across the U.S. and founded Friends Forever Europe in Belfast, while acquiring and renovating key campuses in New Hampshire, Northern Ireland, and Belize for peace and leadership development. His collaboration with New Hampshire's Department of Education focuses on transforming education through partnerships between students, parents, schools, and the community.
25 Oct 2024
DevTalks Deep Dive: Exploring the USAID in Action Portal
In this episode of DevTalks Deep dive, we discuss the USAID in Action Portal, a resource now available through USAID’s Aidscape website. The portal is managed by DevTech Systems and serves as a platform that provides tools to explore, analyze, and visualize global development data. It focuses on assisting users in understanding foreign assistance trends, country profiles, and impact metrics across various sectors like health, education, and economic growth. By offering interactive maps, datasets, and project overviews, USAID in Action enables users to track development funding and program outcomes in diverse regions, enhancing transparency and data-driven decision-making. To learn more, visit: https://aidscape.usaid.gov/explore (https://aidscape.usaid.gov/explore).
22 Oct 2024
DevTalks Deep Dive: Debt Transparency Monitor
In this episode of DevTalks Deep Dive, we explore the latest edition of the Debt Transparency Monitor from USAID’s Fiscal Accountability and Sustainable Trade (FAST) project. Public debt in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has been steadily rising over the past decade, further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading many countries into unsustainable debt levels. Inadequate debt transparency, especially with the growing involvement of non-traditional lenders like the People’s Republic of China (PRC), has complicated reporting and increased fiscal risks for LMIC governments.
The episode highlights the importance of debt transparency in areas such as promoting fiscal sustainability, democratic accountability, and economic sovereignty, as well as how international institutions like USAID are working to strengthen public debt reporting and governance. Tune in to learn more about the Debt Transparency Monitor, and read the Monitor to learn about the implications of debt transparency on credit ratings, investment, and broader governance reforms.
Read the Monitor here:
https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/content/Detail_Presto.aspx?ctID=ODVhZjk4NWQtM2YyMi00YjRmLTkxNjktZTcxMjM2NDBmY2Uy&rID=NjM0ODA4 (https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/content/Detail_Presto.aspx?ctID=ODVhZjk4NWQtM2YyMi00YjRmLTkxNjktZTcxMjM2NDBmY2Uy&rID=NjM0ODA4)
10 Jul 2024
Special Episode: DevTech Founder, Jorge Sanguinetty on Cuba
In honor of DevTech's upcoming 40th Anniversary celebration, DevTech founder Dr. Jorge Sanguinetty, Ph.D. and DevTech CEO Rafael Romeu sat down to record a special episode of DevTalks.
Dr. Sanguinetty, an economist with development expertise in Latin America, worked on Cuba's Central Planning Board in the sugar industry and later helped pioneer several economic organizations, including DevTech, which he founded in 1984.
In this episode, Jorge discusses the current economic situation in Cuba, makes predictions for its evolution, provides recommendations to the international development community, and discusses some of his past experiences in Cuba.
29 Nov 2023
Is a democratic opening in Venezuela imminent?
DevTech’s Director of Public Financial Management Jose Pineda speaks with Angel Alvarado. Angel is now a Senior Fellow in the Department of Economics at the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, he served as a deputy to the National Assembly of Venezuela for the district of Petare. While in parliament, he was a member of the Permanent Committee on Finance and Economic Development, taking on the role of the economic spokesperson for the committee.
Jose and Angel’s conversation focuses on the 2024 Venezuela election and several recent events that have left many wondering whether a fair and open democratic election may actually be on the table. This is significant given the many years of authoritarian rule that have afflicted the country, beginning under the Presidency of Hugo Chavez, and now under current President Nicolas Maduro.
31 Aug 2023
The Danger of China's Debt Diplomacy with Rafael Romeu and Carmen Reinhart
In this episode, DevTech CEO Rafael Romeu speaks with Carmen
Reinhart, who currently occupies the role of Minos A. Zombanakis Professor of the International Financial System at Harvard’s Kennedy School and previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at The World Bank Group. The pair discuss the current state of public debt in low- and middle-income countries and focus in on the role China and other new debt holders have played in shaping today’s debt landscape.
26 Jun 2023
Debt Distress in the Developing World with Rafael Romeu, Dan Runde, and Anka Lee
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), 60 percent of low-income developing countries are at high risk of or already in a debt crisis. This should be extremely concerning to the development community as many of the advances enabled by foreign assistance risk being wiped out by the debt emergencies threatening the developing world. As development practitioners, how do we navigate these muddy waters, especially considering that much of the debt in the developing world is held by the PRC and commercial lenders? This question is at the heart of the conversation featured in this podcast that includes DevTech CEO Rafael Romeu as moderator and Senior Vice President at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Daniel Runde and USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator and Senior Advisor on the People's Republic of China Anka Lee as panelists.
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