Devpolicy Talks

The episode opens with Helen describing her unexpected route into humanitarian law, beginning as a labour lawyer before being drawn into international work through her involvement with women from the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Her early efforts to help establish rape as a war crime led her to gather evidence for war crimes tribunals and pursue a PhD on the laws of war, focusing on the prosecution of sexual violence and the impact of civil society on legal change.

Helen recounts her experiences working at the grassroots level in Thailand and the Pacific, where she learned the importance of listening to affected communities and adapting legal frameworks to local realities. She reflects on her time at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), where she became the first woman and first non-Swiss to lead the International Law and Policy department. Helen discusses the cultural and gender dynamics she navigated, the need for a more open and solution-oriented approach, and her efforts to highlight the effectiveness of international humanitarian law in practice.

A major focus of the conversation is Helen’s role in global treaty-making and legal reform. She shares insights from her work on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, her advocacy for new norms on autonomous weapons, and her push for stronger compliance mechanisms within international humanitarian law. Helen also discusses the challenges of promoting legal accountability in an era of shifting geopolitics and the rise of non-state armed groups.

Turning to her current role, Helen outlines her vision for RedR Australia: building a robust, sovereign capacity for deploying skilled professionals to crises both internationally and domestically. She emphasises the value of practical training, the importance of maintaining expertise within Australia, and the organisation’s expanding partnerships with government departments and emergency agencies.

The episode concludes with Helen’s reflections on the paradoxes of humanitarian action, the ongoing need for political solutions, and her cautious optimism for the sector’s capacity to adapt and make a difference. She also highlights her involvement with Geneva Call, a Geneva-based humanitarian organisation that engages armed groups to improve the protection of civilians in conflict zones.

Devpolicy Talks is the podcast of the Australian National University's Development Policy Centre.

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The interview opens with Postma reflecting on his career trajectory, from senior roles at the United Nations and the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security to founding Justice for Prosperity. He explains how the organisation operates at the intersection of intelligence and advocacy, using advanced technologies — including AI-driven tools — to map and counter the tactics of anti-rights actors. Postma describes how his team supports at-risk groups such as LGBTIQ+ individuals, activists, and journalists, not only by sharing intelligence but also by providing training in physical and cyber security.

A central focus of the discussion is the recent intelligence assessment conducted by Justice for Prosperity and the International Planned Parenthood Federation, covering ten countries in the region. Postma reveals how anti-rights actors — ranging from authoritarian states to ultra-conservative religious groups and populist alliances — manipulate cultural narratives and exploit societal divisions. He highlights how issues as diverse as vaccine scepticism, climate change, and demographic decline are weaponised to advance exclusionary and often destructive agendas. The report’s findings underscore the deliberate and interconnected nature of these movements, and the urgent need for early detection and coordinated responses across governments and civil society.

Postma provides concrete examples from the region, such as the role of faith leaders in spreading disinformation about sexual and reproductive health, and the targeting of marginalised groups through lobbying, strategic alliances, and discriminatory legislation. He also discusses the economic and political motivations underpinning these campaigns, including the pursuit of influence, funding, and power. The conversation touches on the challenges of combating corruption and the blurred lines between legal and illegal activities, as seen in cases like Vanuatu’s passport sales to Russian nationals.

The interview concludes with Postma’s vision for Justice for Prosperity and the broader fight to defend democracy in the Asia-Pacific. He emphasises the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration, intelligence sharing, and solidarity among rights movements, health networks, and climate advocates. Postma calls for governments — including Australia’s — to recognise these threats as matters of national security, not just health or human rights, and to break down silos in their policy responses. He stresses that only by understanding and exposing the complex, covert tactics of anti-rights actors can societies build effective, long-term defences.

Download the Subversive Powers report.

Devpolicy Talks is the podcast of the Australian National University's Development Policy Centre.

Read and subscribe to our daily blogs at devpolicy.org.

Learn more about our research and join our public events at devpolicy.anu.edu.au.

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You can send feedback, and ideas for episodes too, to [email protected].

This special episode is a joint production of the Australian National University’s Development Policy Centre, the Australian Council for International Development, the International Development Contractors Community and the Safer World for All Campaign. 

The episode opens with Minister Pat Conroy outlining Labor’s record and vision for Australia’s international development program. He highlights the government’s significant increases to the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget, surpassing $5 billion for the first time in over a decade, and emphasises reforms to policy performance, gender equality, disability inclusion, and transparency. Conroy frames Australia’s aid as both a moral obligation and a matter of national interest, particularly as other donors withdraw from the region. He points to the importance of partner-led approaches, long-term indexation of the aid budget, and new mechanisms such as the Australian Development Investments vehicle. On humanitarian funding, Conroy acknowledges rising global needs but argues that the government’s overall humanitarian spending far exceeds the fixed $150 million Humanitarian Emergency Fund, with total humanitarian outlays projected at $859 million in the coming year. He also stresses the need for flexibility in policy settings to respond to evolving challenges and partner priorities, underpinned by ongoing sector consultation.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi presents the Greens’ vision for a “bigger and better” aid program grounded in solidarity, global justice and climate justice. She critiques traditional aid paradigms based on charity or narrow national interest, advocating instead for needs-based, partnership-driven assistance that addresses historical injustices and centres the rights and voices of recipient communities. Faruqi calls for Australia to increase its aid budget to 0.7% of GNI over ten years, as recommended by the UN, and to provide additional climate finance in recognition of Australia’s role as a major fossil fuel exporter. She proposes an independent development oversight agency to improve accountability and ensure aid is not captured by commercial interests. Faruqi is critical of the government’s approach to climate change, arguing that continued fossil fuel expansion undermines claims of climate leadership. On humanitarian crises, she calls for increased support, particularly in the face of funding shortfalls caused by US and UK aid cuts, and highlights the need for Australia to play a constructive role in addressing global inequality and conflict.

Independent MP Zali Steggall argues that strong international development is essential for both regional stability and Australia’s national security. She supports calls to restore the aid budget to 1% of federal expenditure, noting that current levels are well below public expectations and international standards. Steggall emphasises the importance of climate resilience, both domestically and regionally, and advocates for a $10 billion Climate Resilience Fund domestically with similar investments regionally. She frames aid not as a “nice-to-have” but as a strategic investment in Australia’s future, particularly as global leadership from traditional donors wanes. Steggall also calls for a reassessment of DFAT’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund, which has remained static despite rising needs, and urges a more humane and consistent approach to refugee policy, including clearer pathways for those fleeing conflicts such as Gaza. She sees a leadership opportunity for Australia, especially in partnership with Pacific nations, to advance climate and humanitarian objectives.

Throughout the episode, all three interviewees respond to the withdrawal of major donors like the US and UK, agreeing that Australia must step up its support for the region and beyond. While there is consensus on the need for increased aid and a focus on climate resilience, the parties differ on the scale of ambition, the role of commercial interests, and the mechanisms for delivering and overseeing aid. The discussions also highlight broader themes of national interest, moral responsibility, and the interconnectedness of security, development, and climate action.

Devpolicy Talks is the podcast of the Australian National University’s Development Policy Centre. The producers of this episode were Robin Davies, Amita Monterola and Cameron Hill. Music by Finn Clarke.

Visit the Australian Aid Tracker at devpolicy.org/aidtracker.

Devpolicy Talks is the podcast of the Australian National University's Development Policy Centre.

Read and subscribe to our daily blogs at devpolicy.org.

Learn more about our research and join our public events at devpolicy.anu.edu.au.

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You can send feedback, and ideas for episodes too, to [email protected].

In this episode of Devpolicy Talks, Robin Davies interviews Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director of the Global Crop Diversity Trust.

The conversation begins with a discussion of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway. Often called the "Doomsday Vault", it actually serves as a safety backup for the world's 800+ gene banks, protecting against localised mishaps like civil wars, fires, or natural disasters. Stefan explains how this resource proved invaluable during the Syrian Civil War, allowing the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) to retrieve its vital seed collection and resume research in Morocco after its Aleppo headquarters was looted.

Stefan details the practical aspects of the Vault's operations — its Arctic location provides natural cooling advantages, reducing operational costs while offering geological stability. Currently holding about one-third of its 4.5 million seed sample capacity, the Vault aims to fill the remaining chambers over the next 10 to 20 years.

Beyond Svalbard, Stefan outlines the Crop Trust's broader mission to support gene banks worldwide through its endowment fund and technical assistance. He emphasises that gene banks aren't static museums but innovation hubs crucial for agricultural development. The Trust helps gene banks collect, characterise and distribute crop diversity to researchers and farmers, particularly focusing on developing varieties that can withstand climate change and provide improved nutrition.

The discussion also covers the Trust's information systems work, including the Genesis platform that now catalogues 75% of all registered crop accessions globally. Stefan highlights the Trust's emergency response efforts in conflict zones like Ukraine and Sudan, where it helps secure threatened seed collections.

Looking to the future, Stefan acknowledges funding challenges in the current climate of shrinking support for development programs and multilateral organisations, though 2024 was the Trust's most successful year for resource mobilisation. He outlines the Trust's 2030 strategy, which shifts from supporting individual gene banks to building a more integrated global system with better coordination and information sharing.

The interview concludes with discussions about the Crop Trust's work in the Asia-Pacific region, including projects with the The Pacific Community in Fiji and prospects for deeper collaboration with Australia.

Devpolicy Talks is the podcast of the Australian National University's Development Policy Centre.

Read and subscribe to our daily blogs at devpolicy.org.

Learn more about our research and join our public events at devpolicy.anu.edu.au.

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You can send feedback, and ideas for episodes too, to [email protected].

In this episode of Devpolicy Talks, Amita Monterola speaks with Dr Cameron Hill and Honorary Professor Robin Davies about Australia's 2025-26 aid budget. The conversation reveals two competing narratives within the budget: Australia's repositioning in an uncertain global environment alongside its role as a stable and reliable partner during turbulent times.

The analysis shows that despite rhetoric about reprioritisation, the budget largely maintains stability in allocations. The Pacific continues to receive the largest share at 42% of total aid, followed by Southeast Asia at 25%, with minimal changes from previous patterns. The governance sector remains the predominant focus, while health expenditure stays relatively low at 13% of the aid budget.

Robin Davies provides concerning projections for global aid volumes, suggesting a potential decline of at least 25% in international aid by 2027. This reduction is driven primarily by significant cuts from three major donors: the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany. The discussion details the chaotic implementation of US aid cuts, with approximately 25-50% of US aid dollars being cancelled across various sectors.

The conversation also examines the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), revealing that despite being conceived primarily as a loan facility, it has relied heavily on its grant component. With 84% of its grant funding already committed but only a third of its available loans utilised, the facility faces challenges due to Pacific nations' limited capacity to take on non-concessional debt post-COVID.

The timing of this budget is particularly significant as Australia heads into a federal election on 3 May. The discussion concludes with insights into how Devpolicy will cover the intersection of aid policy and election campaigning, noting that a change in government would render the current budget null and void and potentially signal shifts in Australia's approach to international aid.
 

2025 Australian aid update by Stephen Howes

Burden-shedding: the unravelling of the OECD aid consensus by Robin Davies

2025 aid budget breakfast recording

2025 aid budget breakfast slides

Australian Aid Tracker
 

Further reading:

Cheques and (power) balances: aid in a post-liberal world by Cameron Hill

USAID Cuts: New Estimates at the Country Level by Justin Sandefur and Charles Kenny

How many lives does US foreign aid save? by Justin Sandefur and Charles Kenny

Devpolicy Talks is the podcast of the Australian National University's Development Policy Centre.

Read and subscribe to our daily blogs at devpolicy.org.

Learn more about our research and join our public events at devpolicy.anu.edu.au.

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and X for updates on blog posts, publications and events.

You can send feedback, and ideas for episodes too, to [email protected].

In this episode of Devpolicy Talks, Robin Davies interviews Asif Saleh, the Executive Director of BRAC, one of the world’s largest and most influential non-governmental organisations. Asif reflects on BRAC’s remarkable evolution from a post-war relief organisation in Bangladesh to a global leader in tackling poverty, health, education and social innovation. Under his leadership, BRAC has identified and addressed emerging challenges such as urban poverty, youth unemployment and climate adaptation.

Asif begins by recounting BRAC’s origins in the aftermath of Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971. Initially focused on refugee rehabilitation, the organisation quickly pivoted to long-term development solutions, recognising the multidimensional nature of poverty. Over the years, BRAC has pioneered scalable models in microfinance, health care, education, and social enterprises. It has also developed a unique ecosystem that integrates livelihood programs with market connections through its social enterprises, including a dairy company and a rural artisan fashion brand.

The conversation explores Asif’s personal journey from investment banking at Goldman Sachs to development leadership at BRAC. He describes how his work with human rights advocacy among Bangladeshi diaspora communities inspired his transition to development. Since joining BRAC in 2011, Asif has leveraged his private sector expertise to drive innovation within the organisation, launching initiatives like the Social Innovation Lab and programs targeting urban poverty and youth skills development.

Asif discusses BRAC’s current priorities, which reflect the pressing challenges facing Bangladesh today. Rapid urbanisation, climate-induced migration, and underemployment among young people are at the forefront of BRAC’s agenda. He highlights how climate adaptation is intertwined with poverty alleviation, as many displaced individuals come from Bangladesh’s poorest regions. BRAC is working to develop scalable solutions that enable vulnerable populations to remain in their communities while building resilience against climate shocks.

The interview also touches on political changes in Bangladesh and their impact on BRAC’s operations. Asif explains how the organisation navigates political transitions while maintaining partnerships with governments to deliver essential services. He emphasises the importance of fostering collaboration between civil society, government, and the private sector to address systemic challenges.

A key focus of the discussion is BRAC’s globally acclaimed Graduation Model for poverty reduction. This two-year program targets ultra-poor households with asset transfers, coaching, and skill-building to help them achieve sustainable livelihoods. Asif explains how this model has been rigorously tested and adapted across diverse contexts worldwide, becoming a gold standard for addressing extreme poverty.

Looking ahead, Asif outlines BRAC’s strategic vision for addressing future challenges. The organisation aims to scale its Graduation Model globally while reimagining microfinance for a digital age and expanding initiatives in climate adaptation and youth employment. He underscores the need for innovative partnerships that leverage public and private sector strengths to tackle complex development issues.

Devpolicy Talks is the podcast of the Australian National University's Development Policy Centre.

Read and subscribe to our daily blogs at devpolicy.org.

Learn more about our research and join our public events at devpolicy.anu.edu.au.

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You can send feedback, and ideas for episodes too, to [email protected].

In this episode of Devpolicy Talks, Robin Davies interviews Nina Schwalbe about the dramatic shifts in US global health policy under the Trump administration and their far-reaching consequences. As founder of Spark Street Advisors and a global health expert with extensive experience in multilateral organisations, Nina provides a sobering account of how these changes are reshaping international development assistance.

The conversation begins with an exploration of the US withdrawal from WHO and its freezing of foreign assistance payments. Nina highlights how these actions have crippled WHO’s core finances and programs in immunisation, maternal health, non-communicable diseases and emergency response. She also discusses the removal of CDC secondees from WHO offices worldwide, further weakening global health capacity.

The discussion then turns to other multilateral organisations like the Global Fund and Gavi. While Gavi is less reliant on US funding, the Global Fund faces existential risks due to uncertainty about unpaid commitments and potential conditionalities tied to future funding. Nina explains how these developments are undermining critical programs for HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria.

On the pandemic treaty negotiations, Nina offers cautious optimism. She notes progress in areas like vaccine production regionalisation and surveillance but acknowledges that key issues – such as equitable vaccine distribution and financial mechanisms – remain unresolved. She emphasises that while the treaty may lack strong commitments now, it provides a framework for future improvements.

The interview concludes with a reflection on broader risks to global health security. Nina warns that US disengagement is occurring against a backdrop of ongoing outbreaks – from Ebola to H5N1 – underscoring that another pandemic is not a matter of if but when. She also shares her personal observations on the devastating impact of mass layoffs at USAID and other agencies on public servants dedicated to improving global health.

Devpolicy Talks is the podcast of the Australian National University's Development Policy Centre.

Read and subscribe to our daily blogs at devpolicy.org.

Learn more about our research and join our public events at devpolicy.anu.edu.au.

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You can send feedback, and ideas for episodes too, to [email protected].

The Australasian AID Conference (AAC), held annually in partnership with The Asia Foundation, has become an integral part of the Australian and regional aid calendar.

We are pleased to announce ACC2025 will be held from Wednesday 3 to Friday 5 December at the Australian National University in Canberra.

The aim of the conference is to bring together researchers from across Australia, the Pacific, Asia, and beyond who are working on aid and international development policy (the AID in the conference title) to share insights, promote collaboration, and help develop the research community.

In this episode, we feature three speakers from the 2024 conference held in December:

• Phoury Bun, Research Fellow, Cambodia Development Research Institute
  >> conference presentation
• Ruth Honculada-Georget, Social Policy and Program Coordinator, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
  >> conference presentation
• Jack Hennessy, PhD candidate, Centre for Health Economics, Monash University and Health Economist, Fred Hollows Foundation
  >> conference presentation  >> Devex news article

View other AAC2024 presentations and selected sessions on Devpolicy YouTube.

Plus we talk to the Development Policy Centre’s Senior Research Officer Cameron Hill about how you can apply to speak at this year’s event and support available for early career researchers based in Australia and developing countries.

Visit the 2025 Australasian AID Conference webpage.

Devpolicy Talks is the podcast of the Australian National University's Development Policy Centre.

Read and subscribe to our daily blogs at devpolicy.org.

Learn more about our research and join our public events at devpolicy.anu.edu.au.

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and X for updates on blog posts, publications and events.

You can send feedback, and ideas for episodes too, to [email protected].

Robin Davies speaks with Dr Agnes Kalibata, who has led the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa for the past decade and previously served as Rwanda's Minister of Agriculture, in which role she helped achieve remarkable reductions in poverty and malnutrition.

In this discussion, Kalibata explains AGRA's evolution as a bridge between research organisations, funders and rural communities. She emphasises the importance of developing locally-appropriate solutions rather than attempting to replicate European (or Australian) agricultural models. AGRA's focus on building sustainable ecosystems through small-scale enterprises worth $100,000-$200,000 has been crucial in transforming rural communities.

Kalibata discusses how AGRA works across 15 countries, particularly in Eastern and Southern Africa, to improve access to improved seeds, fertilisers and agricultural technologies. She highlights the organisation's success in helping governments design nationwide programs that can reach millions of farmers simultaneously. The interview explores the significant challenges posed by climate change, which she identifies as becoming "real" for African agriculture from 2015, and the need to adapt farming practices accordingly.

Looking ahead to COP31 — potentially hosted by Australian together with the Pacific island countries — Kalibata emphasises the critical importance of addressing climate change impacts on African agriculture and calls for leadership in supporting those most affected by climate challenges.

Devpolicy Talks is the podcast of the Australian National University's Development Policy Centre.

Read and subscribe to our daily blogs at devpolicy.org.

Learn more about our research and join our public events at devpolicy.anu.edu.au.

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Robin Davies speaks with Sir Masood Ahmed, the distinguished international economist whose career spans over 35 years at the forefront of international development. 

Up to July 2024, Ahmed served as President of the US-based Center for Global Development for seven years, following influential roles at the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the UK's Department for International Development. Born in Pakistan and educated at the London School of Economics, Masood has been instrumental in shaping global economic policies, particularly in the areas of debt relief, aid effectiveness, and poverty reduction.

In this wide-ranging interview, Masood discusses the evolving landscape of development cooperation and the challenges facing the multilateral system. He addresses the pressing need to reform multilateral development banks, the complexities of climate finance, and the changing nature of official development assistance. Masood particularly emphasises the importance of rethinking how we approach international development funding, arguing for a clearer distinction between solidarity-based aid and spending on global public goods. He also explores the challenges of maintaining traditional development objectives in an era increasingly dominated by geopolitical considerations and competing priorities.

Masood delivered the Mitchell Oration at the 2024 Australasian AID Conference. Watch the full speech.

Devpolicy Talks is the podcast of the Australian National University’s Development Policy Centre. Our producers are Robin Davies, Amita Monterola and Jackie Hanafie. You can read and subscribe to our daily blogs on aid, international development and the Pacific at devpolicy.org, and you can follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter. 

You can send us feedback, and ideas for episodes too, to [email protected].

Devpolicy Talks is the podcast of the Australian National University's Development Policy Centre.

Read and subscribe to our daily blogs at devpolicy.org.

Learn more about our research and join our public events at devpolicy.anu.edu.au.

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and X for updates on blog posts, publications and events.

You can send feedback, and ideas for episodes too, to [email protected].