PDIA in Action: Development Through Facilitated Emergence
BSC Faculty Director Matt Andrews and Program Director Salimah Samji have been co-teaching PDIA in Action: Development through Facilitated Emergence at the Harvard Kennedy School since 2018. This is a field-lab class where students learn a research-oriented version of PDIA by working on real-world public problems – they learn by doing. In Spring 2021, students worked together in eight teams with an authorizer/client. The teams presented their work at the end of the course.
BSC Program Director Salimah Samji writes about the Building State Capability (BSC) Faculty's experience co-teaching 'PDIA in Action: Development Through Facilitated Emergence' in the post-pandemic world. She and Faculty Director Matt Andrews asked BSC alumni from around the world to nominate problems for the eight student teams.
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Access to Childcare in Burien, WA
In Burien, current child-care benefits are limited and restrictive, leading to broader social and economic impacts on the community. Harvard students spent 7 weeks working with Kevin Schilling, Burien City Council member, and Implementing Public Policy executive program alumni on this issue.
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Legal Education Reform in Ukraine
The supply side of Ukraine’s legal system is inadequate for fulfilling the role and responsibilities of the legal profession contributing to the legal system’s self-perpetuating failure to ensure the rule of law and deliver justice in Ukrainian society. Harvard students spent 7 weeks working with Artem Shaipov, Legal specialist, USAID New Justice Program and Implementing Public Policy program alumni on this issue.
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Implementing Reparations in Asheville, NC
Asheville passed its historic reparation resolution in July 2020, but there has been a lack of progress and consensus in designing and implementing the reparation initiatives. Harvard students spent 7 weeks working with a former Asheville City Councilor to better understand this problem and to help identify ideas and entry points.
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Police-Community Relations in Lancaster
The Lancaster, PA police department and the community has had strained relations since the events of 2020. Harvard students spent 7 weeks working with the Director of Neighborhood Engagement for the City of Lancaster and the Chief of Police to work on this issue.
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Countering Radicalization in France
The growing radicalization in France has been a cause for concern. Harvard students spent 7 weeks working on exploring radicalization in France, and to help identify ideas and entry points, along with Raphael Kenigsberg, Cyber Security Expert at BNP Paribas.
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Abandoned Infra Projects in Nigeria
Nigeria has been struggling with several key infrastructure projects being abandoned before completion. Harvard students spent 7 weeks working with the Head of Projects Management and Results Delivery Office, in the office of the Governor of Plateau State to better understand the issue, and to help identify ideas and entry points.
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Tackling Blood Safety in Nigeria
The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) in Nigeria is not the sole blood collecting agency. Hospitals, clinics, and private blood establishments are also able to collect and transfuse blood. Harvard students spent 7 weeks working on this issue with Dr. Adaeze Oreh, Country Head of Planning NBTS.
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Exploring Trade between Kenya and Canada
Owing to a range of factors, Kenya and Canada do not engage in singificant trade. While the absence of bilateral trade agreements between the two countries is thought to be a leading factor, there are several other barriers. Harvard students spent 7 weeks working with the Honorary Consul General of Kenya to Canada to investigate this issue and help identify ideas and entry points.
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