This paper examines how digital financial services (DFS) can be used to improve financial inclusion in the Pacific. It looks at the current use of DFS in seven Pacific island countries, explores the regulation and supervision of DFS, and provides recommendations for the expansion of DFS in the Pacific. The paper explains the two main models for the supply of DFS: bank-led ...» more
Library
This e-library contains more than 4500 external publications on governance, social development, conflict and humanitarian issues. It includes academic and grey literature selected for its basis in good quality research and coverage of a range of perspectives. Policy-oriented summaries of each document are provided, plus links to the full text.
Liberation technology: Mobile phones and political mobilization in Africa
The recent spread of digital information and communication technology has fed a wave of optimism about its use as a ‘liberation technology’ for the oppressed and disenfranchised worldwide. According to this argument, mobile phones and the Internet have the potential to foster citizens’ political activism and even lead to mass political mobilization, especially when civic forms ...» more
Southern philanthropy, social justice and human rights
This discussion paper addresses the question of how philanthropists in the global south could better support the activities of civil society organisations (CSOs) to promote human rights and social justice, including actions that focus on advocacy, accountability and mobilisation. The paper is informed by interviews conducted with 12 representatives of philanthropic foundations ...» more
PEFA: What is it good for? The role of PEFA assessments in public financial management reform
How can the PEFA framework both help and hinder our understanding of PFM systems? This paper illustrates how PEFA can be (mis)used to guide PFM system reform. While the PEFA framework remains the most comprehensive indicator of PFM to date – over 500 formal assessments have been undertaken and verified by the Secretariat since its launch in 2005 - not all elements of the ...» more
8th annual ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller Arab youth survey: Inside the hearts and minds of Arab youth.
There are 200 million young people in the Middle East and North Africa. This white paper provides a snapshot of the ambitions, hopes and fears of young people at a challenging time for the region. The survey asks young Arabs to share their views on a range of topics including: the economy, the impact of the Arab Spring and their media consumption habits. It highlights the lack ...» more