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COVID-19 has caused the biggest development setback of our lifetime, reversing 70 years of progress. The last 18 months have led to extreme poverty and hunger not seen for decades. But, argues Ian Goldin, author and Oxford University Professor of Globalisation and Development, every crisis creates an opportunity, and we have a responsibility to ourselves and future generations to explore the silver linings. COVID-19 has made us much more aware of the threats we face, including possible future pandemics and climate change. This means we have been presented with a once-in-a-lifetime invitation to design a fairer and more inclusive world.

Not long ago there were high levels of optimism about Mozambique. The future looked bright as investment possibilities, particularly in natural resources, were picking up. But by 2016 things were starting to go pear-shaped. A huge illegal debt scandal weighed on the government while poverty and joblessness remained high. Then came a new conflict in the most northern corner of the country that has continued to grow in intensity. How can the same mistakes be avoided? Sam Jones and Finn Tarp identify what needs to be done differently. This includes approaching foreign investment as a means (not an end) and making sure any development brings benefits to everyone - particularly poor Mozambicans.

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Jabulani Sikhakhane

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COVID-19 has shown that following the same road will lead the world over a precipice

Ian Goldin, University of Oxford

The task now is to turn the reactive response to the health and economic emergencies into a proactive set of policies and actions.

A child plays in a street in the port village of Paquitequete near Pemba, northern Mozambique. The region suffered decades of neglect, and major gas projects have failed to deliver local benefits. Photo by Alfredo Zuniga/AFP via Getty Images

Mozambique’s difficult decade: three lessons to inform next steps

Sam Jones, United Nations University; Finn Tarp, University of Copenhagen

The development strategy based on foreign investment in natural resources projects has not delivered economic growth or security. What's needed is an inclusive vision based on local realities.

Politics

Nigeria’s National Assembly: why adding seats for women isn’t enough

Damilola Agbalajobi, Obafemi Awolowo University

Quota systems provide opportunities for more women to stand for election. But they're not enough.

UN and African Union key to public support for French military operations in Africa

Stefano Recchia, Southern Methodist University

French policymakers understand that sharing the burdens of military operations with global partners can help boost flagging support at home.

From our international editions

Reparations for slavery and colonial abuses: how behavioural science can help

David Comerford, University of Stirling

Putting a monetary value on compensation for grave historic wrongs and deciding who should benefit is fraught with difficulties. But there may be another way to look at the whole issue.

Inflation might well keep rising in 2021 - but what happens after that?

Brigitte Granville, Queen Mary University of London

Debate is raging about whether the recent burst of inflation is temporary or here to stay.

En Français

Génocide au Rwanda : l’appel au pardon d’Emmanuel Macron à Kigali rétablit des liens historiques

Jonathan Beloff, SOAS, University of London

Il faudra du temps pour que les Rwandais, en particulier ceux qui ont souffert ou été témoins du génocide, fassent à nouveau confiance à la France.

Ligue des champions : un titre pour Chelsea, une victoire pour Gazprom

Simon Chadwick, EM Lyon; Paul Widdop, Leeds Beckett University

La victoire du club londonien, propriété du milliardaire russe Roman Abramovitch, illustre la montée en puissance de Moscou dans les coulisses du football européen.

 

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