Can Research Change the World
Tom Arnold
CEO, Concern Worldwide
Trinity College, 11th November 2010
Can Research Change the World
• Yes, but not on its own
• Necessary but not sufficient
• Green Revolution
• Community Therapeutic Care (CTC) for severe acute
malnutrition
• Lessons learned
• Other examples of research with potential to change
the world
Green Revolution
•
•
•
•
•
New seeds for wheat and rice
Infrastructure – roads and irrigation
Human capital
Developed markets
Political will
Lessons
• Ideas- grounded in experience
• Individuals matter
• Implementation- Design, Monitoring, Analysis,
Relationships
Organisational Learning
Next Strategic Plan
• Build on 3 Is: Innovation, Influence, Impact
• Programme Design
• Measurement for Results
• Strategic Relationships for Policy Change
Additional Focus and Resources
• Prevention of chronic malnutrition
• Maternal and child health
• Clean water
It can make a difference
Solution
stream
Political
stream
Research
papers in
Lancet
2008
UK
Parliamentary
committees
2008-9
IDS/Save UK
report 2008
Irish Hunger
Task Force
2008
Problem
stream
Food price
crisis 2007-8
DFID Nutrition Strategy 2010
connecting and promoting the development research community
Source: Laurence Haddad, IDS