In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde hosts Jamie Fly (President, Radio Free Europe) to discuss Radio Free Europe’s work providing free and independent media in countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. Jamie talks about overcoming interference by governments that seek to prevent the delivery of news, as well as addressing technological barriers to reaching rural areas. Dan and Jamie also discuss covering Covid-19 in Iran, troll farm attacks o...
May 27, 2020•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Building the Future, Dan speaks with Andrew Natsios, former USAID administrator and current director of the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. During the conversation, Andrew talks about his past experiences confronting epidemics while at USAID, and highlights the work currently being done at the Bush School’s Pandemic and Biosecurity Policy program. Dan and Andrew explore the political and ...
May 13, 2020•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde talks to Richard Fontaine (President/CEO for the Center for New American Security) about the need to create a new Atlantic charter for the post-coronavirus era. Richard talks about the importance of globalization in a post-pandemic world and utilizing this unique moment of global collaboration as an opportunity to envision the future for the world, the U.S., and its allies. Dan and Richard also discuss keeping democracies free from foreign influe...
Apr 29, 2020•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde sits down with General James Cowan (CEO of the Halo Trust) to discuss the continuing devastation caused by landmines, and the work of the Halo Trust, the oldest and largest humanitarian landmine clearance organization in the world. General Cowan describes the history of landmines and the Halo Trust’s work in areas such as Colombia, Afghanistan, and the Balkans. Dan and General Cowan talk about the macroeconomic effect of landmine removal in boost...
Apr 01, 2020•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dan is joined by Eugenio Díaz-Bonilla, head of the Latin American and Caribbean Program at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). During their conversation, the duo discuss the importance of regional development banks (RDBs)—in particular, the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)—at a time when three of the four RDBs' presidencies are up for grabs in 2020. They examine Diaz-Bonilla's book, A Long and Winding Road: The Creation of the Inter-American Developme...
Mar 18, 2020•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Power Africa Initiative was launched by the Obama administration in 2013 and was housed under USAID. The Initiative brings together technical and legal experts from 12 different federal government agencies and over 130 civil society and private sector partners. Today, it has closed over 126 transactions in the region, commissioned and operationalized 56 power plants, enabled the production of over 10,000 MW of power, adding nearly 15 million new connections and giving electricity to 68 milli...
Mar 04, 2020•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dan is joined by Ali Siddiqui, Pakistan’s Ambassador for foreign investment, to discuss the future of Pakistan and U.S.-Pakistan relations. They examine how Pakistan went from being a close U.S. ally and “one of the potential Asian tigers” in the 1950s, to being largely associated with the legacy of the war in Afghanistan. Ambassador Siddiqui discusses the efforts that Pakistan has been making in rebranding itself and explains that the story of Pakistan is one of culture, music,...
Feb 12, 2020•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Erol Yayboke, deputy director and senior fellow of the Project on Prosperity and Development at CSIS, sits in for Dan Runde to talk with Jennifer Spies, product manager for Google’s Next Billion Users (NBU) initiative. They discuss the NBU project and the role of internet access in bringing emerging economies into a new age of technology development. They also reflect upon how the usage of technology has changed and will continue to change through innovations like machine-learni...
Feb 05, 2020•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast On the 25th anniversary of the Western Newly Independent States Enterprise Fund, Dan is joined by Jaroslawa Johnson (Western NIS Enterprise Fund president and CEO), and Dennis Johnson (Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Western NIS Enterprise Fund). Dan, Jaroslawa, and Dennis discuss the history and accomplishments of Western NIS Enterprise Funds, the evolution of the economies of Ukraine and Moldova, and the role of enterprise funds in Ukraine and Moldova’s development future. Jaroslawa ...
Jan 29, 2020•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dan is joined by Michael Leifman and Marco Annunziata, cohosts of M4Edge, a podcast that analyzes how technology impacts global economies. Dan and his guests discuss the ways that new technologies are going to evolve in developing countries, and how governments can support these efforts. The speakers highlight which technologies they think offer the most potential for economic growth and lifting people out of poverty. They also observe how many countries are unable to introduce ...
Jan 22, 2020•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dan is joined by Brian Chatwin, president of Right Country Lists, to discuss how financial factors can drive political campaign structures. They examine advertising methods, the weaponization of donor transparency, and how privacy laws affect international election processes. Their conversation then shifts to a discussion about whether there is genuinely too much money in politics and the importance of an open and fair election process.
Dec 11, 2019•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dan is joined by Patrick Awuah, the founder and president of Ashesi University in Ghana. Dan and Patrick discuss Patrick’s recently published chapter in a book entitled Practicing Development: Upending Assumptions for Positive Change. They also discuss Africa’s youth employment challenge, how education and economic development are complementary, and the changing attitudes around the role of higher education institutions in international development. Patrick describes how Ashesi ...
Nov 27, 2019•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dan is joined by Dr. Jonathan Ward, author of China’s Vision of Victory, to discuss China’s ambitions for the world and how the United States should respond. Jonathan explains that in order to continue leading a free world, the United States must focus on the source of China’s strength: its economic might. His recommendations include the United States more effectively trading with its allies, integrating its allies in Europe and in Japan, and ramping up funding for research and ...
Nov 13, 2019•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dan is joined by Catherine Bertini, former executive director of the World Food Programme, as they discuss Catherine’s recent report for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs entitled, “Leading Change in UN Organizations.” The conversation is focused broadly on what it means to lead a UN organization. They discuss Catherine’s recommendations for reforms within the UN system, specifically targeted to incoming heads of UN agencies to maximize success in the first one hundred days ...
Oct 31, 2019•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dan is joined by Rick Rossow, CSIS Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies, as they host two senior bureaucrats from the Indian state of Kerala, Tom Jose and Sanjeev Kaushik. They all discuss how Kerala is becoming a force to be reckoned with and how infrastructure development can take them to the next level. Additionally, they explain why transportation, water, and solid waste management are of high priority for the state; and the role of various development partners in fin...
Oct 16, 2019•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dan sits down with Dean Piedmont, Senior Advisor for Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) at Creative Associates, where Mr. Piedmont leads the charge in implementing DDR programs in various countries. Dan and Mr. Piedmont discuss the trends, challenges, and successes of past DDR programs, and how they can be redesigned for integration into Afghanistan. Their conversation touches on the critical role of stakeholders and builds a potential strategy for an Afghanist...
Oct 02, 2019•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dan is joined by Pablo Maldonado. Mr. Maldonado led a comprehensive study of unique factors that are driving migration from the Northern Triangle, including vicitmization, household income, and international relations. Much of the extensive data analysis is presented in Creative Associates International's report, "Saliendo Adelante: Why migrants risk it all," which Dan and Pablo will discuss. Pablo Maldonado is Chief Operating Officer of Creative Associates International, where ...
Sep 18, 2019•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dan sits down with Sean Cairncross, Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). As CEO, Mr. Cairncross leads the agency and provides strategic direction and vision as MCC fulfills its mission of reducing poverty through economic growth and advancing America’s interests around the globe. Dan and Mr. Cairncross discuss the recent MCC-Cote D’Ivoire compact, the addition of regional compacts, the MCC model, and beyond. They also analyze how the MCC integra...
Sep 04, 2019•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode Dan sits down with the Swiss Ambassador to the US, Martin Dahinden. Ambassador Dahinden began his diplomatic service in 1987, has headed many European oriented institutions such as the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining, and is currently exiting his position as Swiss Ambassador to the US. In this interview, our speakers overview the career of a successful diplomat, discuss Swiss neutrality and its purpose along with the role of Switzerland on the international ...
Jul 12, 2019•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dan sits down for a second time with Whit Ayres, author of 2016 and Beyond: How Republicans Can Elect a President in the New America, to discuss the issues facing the current U.S. political climate. Whit delivers his research on the uniqueness of national security and foreign policy issues in the context of politics, and how public opinion in these areas is more easily swayed. Dan and Whit also address the role of trade, China, and isolationism in an increasingly globalized and ...
Jul 08, 2019•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dan interviews Alex Kitain, Chief of Party for DAI’s Revenue Generation for Governance and Growth (RG3) project in Liberia, and John Yates, Global Practice Lead for Public Financial Management at DAI. Alex and John both supported our recent report, Rethinking Taxes and Development: Incorporating Political Economy Considerations in DRM Strategies. Development programs focused on increasing domestic resource mobilization require relatively small amounts of funding and can dramatic...
Jun 27, 2019•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Building the Future, Dan hosts Father Daniel Mode, a Catholic priest who serves the Archdiocese for the Military Services. Fr. Mode describes his life as a Navy chaplain, his love of flying, and his fellowship with the Religious Freedom Institute. Fr. Mode is also the author of a recent publication entitled “The Intersection of U.S. National Security Strategy and Religious Freedom.” Listen to the full podcast to hear more about Fr. Mode’s interesting career in military and rel...
Jun 27, 2019•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Dan interviews Raj Kumar, the founding president and editor-in-chief of Devex. Raj is also the author of a new book, "The Business of Changing the World". 10 percent of the world is still living in extreme poverty. At the same time, billionaires are beginning to give at the same level of governments. Dan and Raj discuss how the aid sector will be disrupted, in coming years, due to how involved billionaires are becoming in the aid process and the growth of social entrepreneurship...
Jun 11, 2019•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this podcast, Dan has the chance to speak with Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of the Center of Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). Bradley spent nearly nine years in the U.S. Senate including serving as National Security Advisor to Senator Kelly Ayotte (NH) and Senator Todd Young (IN). Bradley shares advice for recent graduates looking to get started on Capitol Hill and his experience working for members of the Senate Foreign Relations and Senate ...
May 30, 2019•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this podcast, Dan is joined by Brigit Helms who has nearly 30 years of experience pioneering innovative approaches to financial inclusion. Brigit discusses her new book, Access for All: Building Inclusive Economic Systems, and the importance of promoting inclusive economic development. Today, a wider range of players seek profit with a purpose, including millennials, institutional investors, and corporates. Brigit shares her thoughts on how inclusive economic systems can offer pathways out of...
May 08, 2019•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Building the Future, Dan is joined by Ulrika Modéer, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Assistant Administrator and Director of the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy. Dan and Ulrika discuss the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role that governments around the world, international organizations, and the private sector will play in achieving the Goals. They also discuss global migration and how the international migration system will have to...
Apr 26, 2019•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this podcast, Dan sits down with Larry Cooley, founder of MSI (now a part of Tetra Tech) and current President Emeritus and Senior Advisor. Before founding MSI, Larry worked at the World Bank, UN Development Programme, Practical Concepts, and as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Dan and Larry discuss the importance of including monitoring and evaluating in development programs. What can you learn from pilot programs? How much of projects should be spent on monitoring and evaluating? How can you scale ...
Apr 16, 2019•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Dan is joined by General Kip Ward to talk about civilian-military collaboration in Africa. General Ward was the inaugural commander of the U.S. Africa Command and has four decades of military experience, serving in Korea, Egypt, Somalia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel, Palestine, and Germany. General Ward shares his thoughts on the forced migration crisis in Africa, the security challenges in the Horn of Africa, and the rising influence of China in Africa. General Ward also shares sto...
Mar 12, 2019•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Dan is joined by Dr. Kerry Healey, President of Babson College. In this podcast, Dr. Healey discusses her path from 70th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts to first female president of Babson College. Babson is a small liberal arts school located in Wellesley, Massachusetts that is world-renowned for its entrepreneurship education. Dr. Healey’s initiatives like the Global Scholars program have helped globalize the student body at Babson; international students now comprise 28 percen...
Feb 05, 2019•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this podcast, Dan is joined by former Secretary of the Navy, John Lehman. Secretary Lehman served under President Ronald Reagan and took office at the age of just 38 years old. This podcast explores the influence of the U.S. Navy during the Cold War and Secretary Lehman’s new book Oceans Ventured: Winning the Cold War at Sea. One of Secretary Lehman’s greatest achievements was Ocean Venture ’81, a naval exercise that took place in 1981 that involved 120,000 service personnel, 250 ships and ab...
Jan 03, 2019•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
