Public policy - David T Ellwood
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“Acting in Time: Educating Leaders to
Solve Our Greatest Global Challenges”
David T. Ellwood
Dean Harvard Kennedy School
Davos IdeasLab
January 2011
1
Climate Change Demographic Shifts
Earthquakes,
Tsunamis, Floods,
Hurricane, Typhoons
Pandemics, Avian
Flu, H1N1,
Predictable Crises
Terrorism
WATER
Poverty and
Inequality
Budget
Deficits
Nuclear Proliferation
2
Acting in Time Problems
Foreseeable Future Problem
There are Credible Solutions
Acting Sooner Rather Would Be Vastly More Effective and Cost Much Less
YET LEADERS AND NATIONS OFTEN SEEM UNABLE OR
UNWILLING TO ACT
3
Theory 1: The Problem is People
Humans Are Short Sighted
Humans Are Incredibly Bad at Dealing with Risk and Uncertainty
Humans Blame Others for Big Problems
4
Theory 2: The Problem is Business
Profits Ignore Externalities
The Competitive Disadvantage:
Business Knows When “Acting” Will Cost Them
– Use power, money and influence to avoid action
– “The science is weak”
– “We are not to blame”
– “There are better solutions”
5
Theory 3: The Problem is Governments
The Next Election Dilemma—Is Democracy Inherently Short Sighted?
Emphasizing Hard Challenges and Taking Tough Action is Rarely A Good Career Move for Government Officials
6
Theory 3: The Problem is Governments
Weak or Distant Victims Versus Powerful Interests Who Gain from Inaction
Collective Action Across Multiple Governments—“Competing Narratives” and the Free Rider
7
But Sometimes Nations Do Act In Time
The Ozone Layer
Lessons:
Vividness
Unusual Alliances—Aligning the Interests of Business, Government and Civil Society
8
But Sometimes Nations Do Act In Time
H1N1 (Swine Flu) and Bird Flu
Lessons:
Clearly Accountable Leaders--Health Ministers
Credible, Independent Institutions With Strong Scientific Focus
9
But Sometimes Nations Do Act In Time
The Marshall Plan
Lessons:
Global Orientation
Reinforcing Foresight Among Exceptional Business and Government Leaders
10
Lessons For Acting in Time
Exceptional Long Term Leadership and Clear Responsibility
Make Tomorrow’s Problem, Vivid Today
Seek Out “Unexpected Partners”; Forge Unusual Alliances Among Affected Parties. Strategies that involve collaboration between government, business, and civil society
Build Trusted Institutions of Accountability With a Long Term Focus
11
Finding and Educating Leaders Who Act in Time
Attract Exceptional Public Leaders From All Sectors
– Character
– Intelligence
– Creativity
– Deep Concern with the Public Interest, Not Just Private Interest
Educate Students to Solve Real World Problems
Create Capacity to Work Across Sectors and Across Nations
Skilled in Communication and Technology
12
Finding and Educating Leaders Who Act in Time
Educate Them to Solve Real World Problems
– Integrated Problem Oriented Not Just Separate “Stove Pipe” Discipline Courses
– On the Ground Real Time Problem Solving
– Able to Understand and Shape Politics and Institutions
– A Culture of Accountability and Effective Management
13
Finding and Educating Leaders Who Act in Time
Create Capacity to Work Across Sectors and Across Nations
– Recognize and Admire Unique Capacity and Cultures of Different Sectors
– Understand How to Reshape Incentives To Create Common Gains
– Global Perspective, Local Understanding
14
Finding and Educating Leaders Who Act in Time
Help Them Become Skilled in Communication and Technology