International development has come to an end, according to some economists. Be it the sudden closure of USAID earlier this year, the shift of EU and NATO states to defence spending, or the populist inspired interest in isolationism, the inclination to fund others is diminishing.

However, development is not just about foreign aid: it is also about allocating the means to improve the one that benefits all. Whether the national eradication of disease or international drives towards better governance and prosperity, the core idea is not charity. So, what actually is development? There can be no better person to explain and explore the wide and complex world of development and its core international function than Susan Brown, United Nations Assistant Secretary General at the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and head of its advocacy efforts. A woman with incredible experience in the international world, she brings in-depth knowledge, common sense and a lot of wit to the core needs of the world.

This episode was recorded 17 September 2025

Mentions

• UNDP
• Adam Tooze, The End of Development
• Women not rescued in Afghanistan earthquake

Chapters

• Current challenges facing the UN
• Understanding development and differentiating it from humanitarian aid
• UNDP's budget and funding sources
• The future of UNDP and global development
• Engaging corporates in development

Follow

• Susan Brown UNDP website & X/Twitter
• Instagram @women_leaders_podcast
• Watch this episode on our YouTube channel
• European Leadership Network Twitter LinkedIn Facebook, website
• Ilana Bet-El

Credits

• Production: Florence Ferrando
• Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT

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