China/East Asia

09
Oct
We Have to Rethink Human Rights, Part 2

We Have to Rethink Human Rights, Part 2

Beyond One Universal Model In Part 1 of this two-post series I argued that the current dominant narratives about human
6 min read
03
Oct
We Have to Rethink Human Rights, Part 1

We Have to Rethink Human Rights, Part 1

How would you react if I told you that 'universal human rights' are not actually universal at all,
4 min read
07
Aug
Modernising on Our Own Terms

Modernising on Our Own Terms

It sticks in my mind. The AU official who asked me whether "Made in Africa Evaluation" (MAE) might
4 min read
19
Mar
Nine Reasons for Hope and Optimism. And why we need to seize this moment.

Nine Reasons for Hope and Optimism. And why we need to seize this moment.

(Note: Some key resources for this post can be found in the links at the end.) One - We need
11 min read
19
Mar
Seven Reasons for Outrage. And why anger is not the answer.

Seven Reasons for Outrage. And why anger is not the answer.

In our hyperconnected world it is hard to escape bad news. It is easy to get distressed or angry, yet
8 min read
30
Apr
Learning from China’s Transformation, Part 6.   Co-evolution - a ‘first principle’.

Learning from China’s Transformation, Part 6. Co-evolution - a ‘first principle’.

Yuen Yuen Ang's study of China's exceptional escape from its poverty trap in just 3-4 decades
5 min read
26
Apr
China's Transformation, Part 5. Directed improvisation

China's Transformation, Part 5. Directed improvisation

This series of blog posts highlights lessons from one of the greatest transformative development success stories ever. It is also
8 min read
22
Apr
China's Transformation, Part 4.  Dominant narratives, alternative perspectives

China's Transformation, Part 4. Dominant narratives, alternative perspectives

We need fresh narratives about how the world works, and why, and what to do to solve its complex problems.
6 min read
18
Apr
China's Transformation, Part 3. Seeing through others' eyes

China's Transformation, Part 3. Seeing through others' eyes

Some years ago I was on an evaluation assignment in the Mekong region, dealing with labour issues. In an interview
3 min read
16
Apr
China's Transformation, Part 2. Towards an ecological civilisation

China's Transformation, Part 2. Towards an ecological civilisation

As evaluators we cannot afford to get caught up in narratives - usually devoid of nuance - that aim to
7 min read