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Global Governance on Impact Investing and Accounting: A Strategy for Developing Global Standards

04.10.24

Impact investing can be a game changer in solving social problems. Yet, the lack of impact accounting standards enables investors without any social impact to disguise themselves as “impact investors” to improve the image of the company.

Business and Regulation

The Cross-Border Interoperability of National Digital Payment Systems as a Gateway to Economic Development

04.9.24

Enhanced coordination and cooperation between governments, financial regulatory bodies, central banks, and other industry stakeholders is needed to implement the vision of integrating national digital payment systems.

Development and Economic Growth

Rethinking Local Economic Development: Why Should Local Governments Handle Tax Incentives with Care?

04.6.24

Evidence on the spillover effects of tax incentives is mixed and ambiguous while evidence on the impact of tax incentives on revenue loss for public services is clear. It is time for voters and politicians to use tax incentives with care, given their high costs and controversial benefits.

Development and Economic Growth

Examining the Unintended Impacts of the “Resort Zone Provision” in Honolulu, Hawaii…and a Potential Solution 

04.4.24

In Honolulu, Hawaii, land use laws have been leveraged as a tool to manage the impact of tourism on the city. These laws should be changed to offer greater protection to local residents.

Cities and Communities

Interview with Former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos

11.15.23

On November 13, 2023, HKS Student Policy Review Senior Editor Jane Petersen spoke with former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. The conversation covered a range of topics including what other countries can learn from Colombia’s peace agreement, poverty alleviation efforts, and the fight against climate change.

International Relations and Security

Approving $1 Trillion is Easy, Spending It Is the Hard Part: Local Governments Need Diplomatic Hustle to Make Effective Use of Infrastructure Funding

05.18.23

The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law over a year ago – a bipartisan accomplishment that felt akin to winning the lottery. With the big checks inbound, are state and local governments actually prepared to spend them? Can government administrators avoid fraud, waste, and abuse? The trillions of dollars […]

Ghana’s Vice President charts a new course for Africa’s growth on its own terms

04.16.23

Ghana’s Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, addressed the African Development Conference organized by Harvard Kennedy School’s Africa Caucus and Harvard Law Students Association in Cambridge,Massachusetts, emphasizing the importance of Africa charting its own course towards a more prosperous and inclusive future. The conference’s theme, “Reimagining Africa’s growth on our terms,” was described as timely and […]

International Relations and Security

Zimbabwe’s Ambassador Urges Africa’s Seat at the Table and an End to US Sanctions

04.14.23

Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Tadeous Chifamba, recently spoke with the Africa Policy Journal in an exclusive interview, discussing various issues related to Africa’s relationships with superpowers. Ambassador Chifamba emphasized the importance of Africa being seen as an equal partner, rather than prey, and having a seat at the table. The interview was […]

African health conference sparks conversation on healthcare development in Africa

02.23.23

The Harvard Chan School of Public Health recently hosted the first-ever Africa Health Conference from February 18th to 19th, 2023, bringing together students, faculty, activists, global health leaders, and a community of scholars. Organized by the Harvard Chan Africa Health Students Forum, the conference aimed to celebrate successes in healthcare across the continent while also […]

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urges African countries to develop digital trade regulations

02.20.23

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), recently spoke in an exclusive interview with Africa Policy Journal, calling on African nations to develop regulations to promote digital trade and e-commerce on the continent. She praised the efforts of young people who are engaging in digital trade and stressed the importance of […]

New generation of African leaders must speak truth to power-Sam Jonah

01.1.23

For African countries to address their political, economic and development challenges, the new generation of leaders from the continent must speak truth to power. This was the opinion of Sir Sam Jonah, the CEO of Jonah Capital during an interview with Africa Policy Journal’s Enitan Okedji, Lead Interview Editor (Policy Engagement).  Sam Jonah was in […]

Is AfCFTA a necessary condition for structural transformation in Africa?

12.28.22

Despite the scintillating promises it holds, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is only a necessary, not a sufficient condition for a structural transformation and global convergence of Africa. The substantial efforts to pass the sufficient test rest upon transcending the colonial model of resource extraction economy.  In a blow to the gravity trade […]

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