Institute of Development Studies (IDS)
Bio
Author Biography
Peter Taylor is Director of Research at IDS. Previously he worked at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, leading strategic planning processes, the Inclusive Economies Program Area, and the Think Tank Initiative, a ten-year programme strengthening policy research organisations in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. Previously he worked at IDS as a Research Fellow; as Education Technical Advisor with Helvetas (Vietnam); and as Head of Agriculture in a rural secondary school (Botswana). He has interests in organisational development and capacity strengthening, evaluation and learning, and facilitation of participatory and social change processes.
Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland
Bio
Author Biography
Mary McCarthy is currently Nutrition Lead in the Development Cooperation and Africa Division of Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), previously leading the Research and Learning portfolio. With 18 years’ experience as a specialist in education and global citizenship policy and practice, in Ireland and overseas, she was Director of WorldWise Global Schools (2013–17), and a member of the Advisory Board for Ireland’s National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development. Having been a teacher and teacher trainer in Rwanda (2005–07), she worked with Suas Educational Development and Léargas on formal and non-formal global education programmes, and as a freelance facilitator and trainer.
Volume 52
Number 1
Published: March 24, 2021
The current global pandemic of Covid-19 is a health and broader crisis of overwhelming proportions, threatening livelihoods, economies, and societies, particularly those already experiencing the greatest vulnerabilities. In putting the lives of millions of people at risk, creating uncertainties, heightening existing fragilities, and exacerbating inequalities, it has become a truly global challenge. Crisis also brings opportunity, however, and in addition to short- and mid-term responses, this is a time to explore and work towards a genuine transformation of ideas, policies, programmes, and practices. This may all be encapsulated in the overall notion of ‘building back a better world’. Against this backdrop, this article introduces this IDS Bulletin issue which asks, fundamentally, how we can collectively and equitably shape – and even transform – our shared future, in the light of experience of Covid-19, and what steps are necessary for us to do so. It draws upon strategic approaches guiding the efforts of two highly engaged organisations: Irish Aid, Ireland; and the Institute of Development Studies, UK. This editorial introduction explores lessons learned from the impact of Covid-19 by highlighting some key viewpoints and evidence provided in the articles that follow. It then offers a number of priority areas for action looking forward, as well as several principles that may help to guide those future actions in efforts to build back a better world.
