Working in various developing countries for a long time (I've been overseas now for around 15 years) sometimes gives me first hand evidence of how initiatives can grow and adapt over time – and often for the best. Ten years …
While world leaders were discussing MDG progress at the UN global summit last month, I got my first opportunity to see reality in Zimbabwean primary schools. As part of a joint monitoring mission with government officials, UNICEF and other partners, I visited schools …
A couple of weeks ago I attended a number of fascinating sessions at the International Growth Centre’s Growth Week. One event that particularly stuck in my mind focused on the role China is playing in Africa. At the UN Millennium …
I was at a conference right in the centre of Maputo yesterday, next to the beautiful Maputo Cathedral. I took a snap of the cathedral as I left the meeting, but a better picture can be found here. I am …
It has been quite a while since my last blog. My excuse is that I was acting as head of DFID Mozambique for a couple of months. However Keith Mackiggan, the head of office is back, so no more excuses …
As the UK approaches a second May Bank holiday, it reminds me how hectic the last one was here in Mozambique. Back at the begining of the month, the May Day bank holiday weekend proved to be quite a busy …
At the end of last week, I went with my DFID colleague Katie Bigmore to the offices of USAID, which are really close to the DFID office near the waterfront in downtown Maputo. We were there to give a brief …
I mentioned the visit of the Global Fund to Mozambique the other week, and I introduced Alberto Pasini. Alberto kept up a high pace of meetings during his visit, and we were all feeling a little weary by the time …
The Universal Basic Education Intervention Fund (UBE-IF) established in 2005 is a key initiative to try to channel more of the Nigerian oil revenues directly to States to spend on schooling: classrooms, books and teacher training. Early implementation was plagued by fund …
It ended up being a relatively late night on Tuesday, due to a working dinner which came at the end of a full day of discussions on the Global Fund. I say relatively late, as my working day normally begins …
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