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Burgess Manuscript
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Hundreds of Issues
From the book 'Hundreds of Issues that Impact Relief and Development'
Section GGG
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Issue
GDP
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Basic observation
Gross Domestic Product is a commonly used macro-economic indicator that measures the size of an economy
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Prevailing response
It is a useful measure, but not very powerful for the analysis of complex relationships in the economy and the complex interactions that make up both the local situation and the world situation. |
A better response
In addition to macro economic measures, there needs to be a lot of management metrics so that the how and why can be answered. GDP is just one measure or hundreds that are possible, and most more specifically useful for analysis.
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Issue
GFATM
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Basic observation
Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is a recent initiative to make adequate funding available to address these health pandemics
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Prevailing response
In spite valiant efforts to create a new institution with adequate financial resources and efficient management, in fact the GFATM has struggled and then put in place a system that reflects many of the weaknesses of old and prevailing ORDA control processes
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A better response
Much more attention to results needs to be put in place, so that all GFATM resources are fully accounted for from time of disbursement to eventual use. The management process for allocating resources should be much more based on what is already being accomplished than on projections of what is going to be done.
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Issue
Gender issues
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Basic observation
Gender needs to be addressed. The history of women's situation needs to be addressed, in all its aspects
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Prevailing response
Gender issues have been a donor priority, but too often without integrating gender activity into a strategy that addresses also other critical development activities needed.
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A better response
Gender issues should be an integral part of development progress, and not merely stand-alone initiatives that divert attention from the larger comprehensive development that needs to be put in place.
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Issue
Generic drugs
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Basic observation
Generic drugs may be a valuable alternative to name brand drugs as long as quality control is not compromised.
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Prevailing response
Generic drugs have become center stage in the dialog about pharmaceutical drug pricing. This is very big issue that appears in the headlines from time to time, but is not part of any serious framework of management information.
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A better response
The use of generic drugs to lower the pricing for critical therapies is critical. It is not, however, a simple argument because of the reasonable need to pay for drug development and research. Much more value chain analysis of the pharmaceutical industry needs to be in place because so little of what is possible seems to get translated into affordable therapies.
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Issue
Genetic modification
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Basic observation
There are legitimate concerns about genetic modification, as well as scaremongering.
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Prevailing response
Some want to stop genetic modification totally, others want it to be progress without any societal constraints, even though there are concerns and potential for irreversible damage.
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A better response
Make progress carefully. The potential for good suggests that genetic modification should be explored and utilized, but like so much that has power for good, there is a potential for bad, and this should be taken into consideration and safeguards be in place.
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Issue
Globalization
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Basic observation
Globalization is now bigger and change is more rapid than in the past, but it is not new.
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Prevailing response
A polarization, misunderstanding and abuse of the complex dynamics of globalization has diminished the social and economic potential
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A better response
Use the new technologies that have made modern globalization so powerful to make needed changes to the way organizations interact on a global scale. Make changes because the status quo in so many cases is unacceptable.
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Issue
Global warming
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Basic observation
Global warming is something of growing concern.
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Prevailing response
Global warming is being discussed more and more, but it is still being treated as being applicable to others, and not in any way to me and my community.
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A better response
Global warming needs to be addressed by all, but in ways that help the global economy to grow and prosper. The science of global warming is complex, but the filth of modern industrial society is easy to see, and we know that much of the filth can be cleaned up if it has to be done. Dirty profits are not a good idea at all. Rich leadership is a starting point for progress.
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Issue
Governance
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Basic observation
Governance has been in existence since very early on the history of human society.
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Prevailing response
Governance at all levels is not well enough appreciated by leadership and the main institutions of the relief and development sector including government organizations. Devolution of some of the power of central government to community acknowledges the importance of community, but does not capture the idea of governance from the people for the people and by the people.
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A better response
Governance needs to exist in order tor society to function, but good governance at the interface between community and family is as important as good governance between the community and the higher authorities of a central government. Governance of the community needs to emerge so that progress can be achieved at this level. Central and higher levels of government need to allow this and not get in the way.
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Issue
Government
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Basic observation
Government is important, but it is not the biggest driver of economic success and quality of life.
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Prevailing response
Government has been the primary agency for ORDA intervention, a very socialist model popular in many places around the world fifty years ago, but now widely recognized as a failed strategy. Remote rural and poor urban communities are generally badly served by government.
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A better response
Government has a major role in setting the stage for success, and creating an “enabling environment”. Government can be part of the financing framework for economic development investment, but generally should not be the implementing organization. Government sets policy and establishes laws and regulations to facilitate success
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Issue
Government financial management
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Basic observation
Government financial management (GFM) is a key function for good governance.
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Prevailing response
Government financial management (GFM) has been very low profile in development priorities. There has been a growing amount of study of the problem and computerization, but results have been mixed. The World Bank and other ORDA organizations have weakened GFM by a practice of doing “projects” outside the national GFM system.
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A better response
Government financial management should be very high priority with emphasis on good work being done at all levels from voucher processing to all levels of reporting. A single treasury account system should be normal, with every expenditure passing through the GFM system. In a good GFM system, with basic accounting and a good supervision structure there is no room for grand corruption.
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Issue
Grants
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Basic observation
Grants are a wonderful way of getting financed.
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Prevailing response
Grants are often used because of the hassle of doing the accounting and getting repaid. This is a very bad reason for grants, but it is common.
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A better response
There should be as much accounting and analysis of grant financing as any other form of financing, if not more. Grants should results in value adding in the community, and to know about this there needs to be accounting.
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Issue
Growth
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Basic observation
Growth is meant to benefit all, but more often it benefits some and not others.
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Prevailing response
Growth is an easier environment to manage in than economic stagnation. In modern economic measurement the gross number is often measured without understanding the role of value adding and value destruction.
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A better response
There needs to be a focus more on the growth of value adding than in the growth of economic activity. It should be possible to get value adding in a growing economic situation, but this needs to be planned for.
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From 'HUNDREDS OF ISSUES THAT IMPACT RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT'
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