Accelerating Development: Ideas for Impact
An AI-powered, expert-led podcast on cutting-edge policy solutions for today’s biggest development challenges, direct from our global research network. 🎧 Choose your format — or listen to both: 🔹 Policy Maker Cut: Fast, focused insights for decision-makers: what matters, why it matters, and what to do next. 🔹 Researcher Deep Dive: A closer look at the data, methods, and policy thinking behind real-world impact. 🌐 Listen to other languages: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/wbginstitute
Episodes

33 minutes ago
33 minutes ago
In this episode, we explore key insights from the World Bank World Development Report 2023: Migrants, Refugees, and Societies. With over 184 million people living outside their country of nationality—nearly half in low- and middle-income countries—the report highlights how migration, if managed well, can be a positive force for development, bringing benefits for migrants as well as origin and destination countries. Tune in as we unpack the report’s integrated framework built around the “match and motive” matrix, which helps policymakers tailor migration strategies to the skills and motivations of migrants. From demographic shifts to economic integration and brain drain, we discuss how migration can be a force for prosperity.

34 minutes ago
34 minutes ago
In this episode, we explore key insights from the World Bank World Development Report 2023: Migrants, Refugees, and Societies. With over 184 million people living outside their country of nationality—nearly half in low- and middle-income countries—the report highlights how migration, if managed well, can be a positive force for development, bringing benefits for migrants as well as origin and destination countries. Tune in as we unpack the report’s integrated framework built around the “match and motive” matrix, which helps policymakers tailor migration strategies to the skills and motivations of migrants. From demographic shifts to economic integration and brain drain, we discuss how migration can be a force for prosperity.

Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Rising trade tensions and ongoing policy uncertainty are threatening to slow global growth to its weakest pace since 2008—outside of outright global recessions. In this episode, we unpack why growth forecasts have dropped for nearly 70% of economies worldwide, spanning all regions and income levels. Join us for an in-depth look at the policies, priorities, and practical actions that countries can take to mobilize domestic revenues, protect vulnerable households, and boost jobs and productivity.
Read the report on our website.
Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.

Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Rising trade tensions and ongoing policy uncertainty are threatening to slow global growth to its weakest pace since 2008—outside of outright global recessions. In this episode, we unpack why growth forecasts have dropped for nearly 70% of economies worldwide, spanning all regions and income levels. Join us for an in-depth look at the policies, priorities, and practical actions that countries can take to mobilize domestic revenues, protect vulnerable households, and boost jobs and productivity.
Read the report on our website.
Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.

Monday Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 30, 2025
In this episode, we dive into the World Development Report 2021: Data for Better Lives and explore data's potential to drive development and improve lives. Join us as we unpack the report’s call for a new social contract on data to boost innovation and inclusion, protect privacy and trust, and ensure that the benefits of data are shared equitably. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.

Monday Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 30, 2025
In this episode, we dive into the World Development Report 2021: Data for Better Lives and explore data's potential to drive development and improve lives. Join us as we unpack the report’s call for a new social contract on data to boost innovation and inclusion, protect privacy and trust, and ensure that the benefits of data are shared equitably. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.

Monday Jun 09, 2025
Monday Jun 09, 2025
"Accelerating Development" embarks on a comprehensive deep dive into Global Value Chains (GVCs), exploring their profound impact on global economies and development. We discuss how GVCs have historically fueled economic progress and poverty reduction, demonstrating a significantly more powerful effect on per capita income growth compared to traditional trade, driven by hyper-specialization and durable long-term relationships. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.
However, the GVC landscape is actively evolving. We examine the slowing growth observed since the 2008 financial crisis, new technological advancements like 3D printing, and the increasing influence of geopolitical trade tensions, raising critical questions for researchers and policymakers on how developing countries can effectively navigate and benefit from these shifts.
Our discussion highlights the key drivers for GVC participation, emphasizing the crucial role of factor endowments, market access, geographic connectivity, technology, foreign direct investment, and robust institutions. We also delve into the complexities of making GVCs work for broader, more inclusive, and sustainable development goals, addressing environmental impacts, potential social inequalities, and the vital importance of continuous upgrading and proactive risk management through smart policy. What new research questions emerge regarding the long-term path for countries deeply integrated into GVCs given these fundamental shifts?

Monday Jun 09, 2025
Monday Jun 09, 2025
"Accelerating Development" embarks on a comprehensive deep dive into Global Value Chains (GVCs), exploring their profound impact on global economies and development. We discuss how GVCs have historically fueled economic progress and poverty reduction, demonstrating a significantly more powerful effect on per capita income growth compared to traditional trade, driven by hyper-specialization and durable long-term relationships. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.
However, the GVC landscape is actively evolving. We examine the slowing growth observed since the 2008 financial crisis, new technological advancements like 3D printing, and the increasing influence of geopolitical trade tensions, raising critical questions for researchers and policymakers on how developing countries can effectively navigate and benefit from these shifts.
Our discussion highlights the key drivers for GVC participation, emphasizing the crucial role of factor endowments, market access, geographic connectivity, technology, foreign direct investment, and robust institutions. We also delve into the complexities of making GVCs work for broader, more inclusive, and sustainable development goals, addressing environmental impacts, potential social inequalities, and the vital importance of continuous upgrading and proactive risk management through smart policy. What new research questions emerge regarding the long-term path for countries deeply integrated into GVCs given these fundamental shifts?

Thursday May 29, 2025
Thursday May 29, 2025
The COVID-19 pandemic tested public health communication like never before. While providing information is crucial, does it always translate into action? In this episode of “Accelerating Development,” we delve into a groundbreaking World Bank meta-analysis on COVID-19 vaccination intentions. Drawing on insights from the 2015 World Development Report "Mind, Society, and Behavior," we examine how behaviorally informed messages – considering how people think socially and use mental models – significantly impacted public responses. From the power of trusted messengers to the nuances of message framing and the complexities of heterogeneity across contexts, we explore the methodological innovations and critical research frontiers this study illuminates for accelerating development through a deeper understanding of human behavior. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.

Thursday May 29, 2025
Thursday May 29, 2025
The COVID-19 pandemic tested public health communication like never before. While providing information is crucial, does it always translate into action? In this episode of “Accelerating Development,” we delve into a groundbreaking World Bank meta-analysis on COVID-19 vaccination intentions. Drawing on insights from the 2015 World Development Report "Mind, Society, and Behavior," we examine how behaviorally informed messages – considering how people think socially and use mental models – significantly impacted public responses. From the power of trusted messengers to the nuances of message framing and the complexities of heterogeneity across contexts, we explore the methodological innovations and critical research frontiers this study illuminates for accelerating development through a deeper understanding of human behavior. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.