News Summary
At Perry World House, global leaders convened to discuss new frameworks for development assistance in light of recent challenges, including the closure of USAID and evolving global needs. Experts emphasized transitioning from donor-driven models to country-owned initiatives focusing on health and livelihood.
The keynote speaker, a former UN Deputy Secretary-General, highlighted the necessity for flexible donor approaches that respect local priorities and governance. The conference aimed to create more effective strategies that cater to the complex realities of today’s world, particularly amidst climate change and technological advancement.
Philadelphia
International Experts Convene to Chart New Course for Global Development
Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania recently hosted a pivotal conference on January 20 and 21, 2026, bringing together leading scholars and practitioners to explore the future of global development assistance. The two-day event, titled “Reimagining the Future of Development,” addressed the urgent need for new frameworks in a world facing significant shifts, including the closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and a decline in official development assistance.
Focus on Evolving Global Needs
Participants reflected on nearly a century of Official Development Assistance, examining both its successes and ongoing challenges. The discussions emphasized crafting new development approaches to address current global realities, notably the impacts of a changing climate and the opportunities presented by emerging technologies.
Leveraging the University of Pennsylvania’s extensive expertise, the conference particularly focused on critical development areas such as health and livelihood. Experts explored strategies to prevent backsliding in health, where significant progress in disease prevention and control has previously saved countless lives.
Amid competing global priorities, reduced assistance, and a perceived U.S. pullback, conversations underscored the essential need to alleviate poverty and prioritize the welfare of the most vulnerable populations. Learning from past achievements and shortcomings was a key theme.
Key Insights and Recommendations
A central recommendation from the conference was a shift from a donor-driven model to one that emphasizes country ownership in development initiatives. This new approach would necessitate prioritizing local capacity-building. The goal is for recipient countries to define their own development priorities, which would then inform specific goals and localize implementation strategies.
Such a strategy aims to enhance contextualization and potentially broaden the impact of assistance, ensuring greater inclusion by tailoring approaches to both national and subnational circumstances, as well as specific community needs. This would also require donors to be more flexible with their timelines and priorities, while recipient countries would need to invest in good governance and local human and institutional capacity.
Distinguished Keynote Address
The conference featured a public keynote address by Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, a distinguished visiting fellow at Perry World House, former UN Deputy Secretary-General, and former administrator for the UN Development Programme. Lord Malloch-Brown discussed the evolving roles of both the United Nations and the Bretton Woods Institutions in facilitating development assistance for the 21st century.
Lord Malloch-Brown has a long and distinguished career in international affairs, development, business, and communications. He previously led the global promotion of the UN Millennium Development Goals and spearheaded reform efforts at the UN Development Programme and the World Bank to boost their impact.
The Shifting Landscape of Global Development
The conference’s timing was particularly relevant given significant changes in the global development landscape. The closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2025 marked the end of an era in global development, impacting millions of vulnerable people worldwide. For decades, initiatives supported by USAID and other nations played a crucial role in expanding healthcare, education, and economic opportunities globally.
Even prior to USAID’s closure, the traditional development system faced increasing pressure and criticism. Governments have been reallocating resources towards hard security and disaster response, addressing pandemics, conflicts, and climate catastrophes. Concurrently, multilateral institutions have struggled to adapt to new economic and political realities, which have sometimes hindered development approaches from ensuring equitable partnerships or achieving long-term results.
The current period, with important gains at risk and lives hanging in the balance, necessitates a fundamental rethinking of the development paradigm.
Perry World House: A Hub for Global Engagement
Perry World House serves as the University of Pennsylvania’s central hub for global affairs, dedicated to applying academic knowledge to address pressing global policy challenges. Its mission involves fostering international policy engagement within and beyond the Penn community.
Located on campus, Perry World House draws upon the expertise of Penn’s twelve schools and numerous globally-focused research centers to educate the community and prepare students as informed global citizens. It also connects Penn with leading policy experts worldwide to develop and advance innovative policy proposals. The institution regularly hosts events, workshops, and colloquia, welcoming distinguished visitors and producing content for global audiences and policy leaders to ensure that knowledge generated at Penn has a tangible impact globally.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the ‘Reimagining the Future of Development’ conference take place?
The ‘Reimagining the Future of Development’ conference took place on January 20 and 21, 2026.
Where was the ‘Reimagining the Future of Development’ conference hosted?
The ‘Reimagining the Future of Development’ conference was hosted by Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
What were the main topics discussed at the conference?
The main topics discussed at the conference included new frameworks for development to address the needs and realities of today’s world, including challenges presented by a changing climate and opportunities associated with new technologies, with a focus on health and livelihood.
Who was the keynote speaker at the conference?
The keynote speaker at the conference was Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, former UN Deputy Secretary-General, former administrator for the UN Development Programme, and Perry World House Distinguished Visiting Fellow.
What significant global development change was highlighted at the conference?
The closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2025 was highlighted as marking the end of an era in global development, threatening the livelihood of millions of vulnerable people.
Key Features of the ‘Reimagining the Future of Development’ Conference
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Host | Perry World House, University of Pennsylvania |
| Dates | January 20 and 21, 2026 |
| Primary Objective | To explore new frameworks for global development assistance |
| Key Themes | Health, Livelihood, Climate Change, New Technologies |
| Core Recommendation | Shift from donor-driven to country-owned development with local capacity-building |
| Distinguished Speaker | Lord Mark Malloch-Brown (former UN Deputy Secretary-General) |
| Contextual Challenge | Closure of USAID in 2025 and decline of official development assistance |
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