Wizards, Wolves and Women in the Great Game of Global Development | Audrey Selian | TEDxYerevanSalon

so the year after I started my graduate

so the year after I started my graduate studies at the Fletcher School a film

studies at the Fletcher School a film

studies at the Fletcher School a film came out called the Lord of the Rings

came out called the Lord of the Rings

came out called the Lord of the Rings waistband on the book by talking and I

waistband on the book by talking and I

waistband on the book by talking and I went to see this film with a close

went to see this film with a close

went to see this film with a close friend of mine and it started a bit of a

friend of mine and it started a bit of a

friend of mine and it started a bit of a running silly joke after that every time

running silly joke after that every time

running silly joke after that every time I would try to say anything with any

I would try to say anything with any

I would try to say anything with any amount of gravitas or intelligence my

amount of gravitas or intelligence my

amount of gravitas or intelligence my friend would call me Gandalf the wise

friend would call me Gandalf the wise

friend would call me Gandalf the wise old wizard – the beard of course and I

old wizard – the beard of course and I

old wizard – the beard of course and I would call her Frodo the child hero and

would call her Frodo the child hero and

would call her Frodo the child hero and the Explorer and I got to thinking about

the Explorer and I got to thinking about

the Explorer and I got to thinking about the role that Gandalf the wizard plays

the role that Gandalf the wizard plays

the role that Gandalf the wizard plays as an archetype that sort of guides and

as an archetype that sort of guides and

as an archetype that sort of guides and governs the kind of perception that

governs the kind of perception that

governs the kind of perception that people have of a development sector

people have of a development sector

people have of a development sector ganda and archetypes I thought would be

ganda and archetypes I thought would be

ganda and archetypes I thought would be a useful tool and that these are things

a useful tool and that these are things

a useful tool and that these are things that we essentially all understand

that we essentially all understand

that we essentially all understand intuitively from Carl Jung’s collective

intuitively from Carl Jung’s collective

intuitively from Carl Jung’s collective unconscious and I thought that this

unconscious and I thought that this

unconscious and I thought that this archetype actually fits in almost

archetype actually fits in almost

archetype actually fits in almost subliminally with the development world

subliminally with the development world

subliminally with the development world the wise old man is mythic he’s

the wise old man is mythic he’s

the wise old man is mythic he’s all-knowing he’s a source of guidance

all-knowing he’s a source of guidance

all-knowing he’s a source of guidance the sage the son acts of ancient Rome in

the sage the son acts of ancient Rome in

the sage the son acts of ancient Rome in some ways this archetype manifests in

some ways this archetype manifests in

some ways this archetype manifests in the form of well branded institutions

the form of well branded institutions

the form of well branded institutions banners that we all recognize experts

banners that we all recognize experts

banners that we all recognize experts that are innovating and creating the

that are innovating and creating the

that are innovating and creating the best silver bullets creating the

best silver bullets creating the

best silver bullets creating the solutions that will chart the course of

solutions that will chart the course of

solutions that will chart the course of human progress for the bottom billions

human progress for the bottom billions

human progress for the bottom billions at the base of the pyramid and by the

at the base of the pyramid and by the

at the base of the pyramid and by the way I think the the presence of a long

way I think the the presence of a long

way I think the the presence of a long silvery beard as well probably helps

silvery beard as well probably helps

silvery beard as well probably helps with you know the credibility at the

with you know the credibility at the

with you know the credibility at the project tables I’ve often been told the

project tables I’ve often been told the

project tables I’ve often been told the next archetype that I’ll mention is the

next archetype that I’ll mention is the

next archetype that I’ll mention is the alpha male

alpha male

alpha male the alpha male often manifests as sort

the alpha male often manifests as sort

the alpha male often manifests as sort of an investment banker the wolf of Wall

of an investment banker the wolf of Wall

of an investment banker the wolf of Wall Street a world leader in some cases I

Street a world leader in some cases I

Street a world leader in some cases I might shift the image to something a

might shift the image to something a

might shift the image to something a little easier on the eyes the the alpha

little easier on the eyes the the alpha

little easier on the eyes the the alpha male is the fittest survivor the

male is the fittest survivor the

male is the fittest survivor the ultimate destination of the alpha males

ultimate destination of the alpha males

ultimate destination of the alpha males behavior is power and essentially this

behavior is power and essentially this

behavior is power and essentially this archetype is one that has traits that we

archetype is one that has traits that we

archetype is one that has traits that we all also recognize there’s a certain

all also recognize there’s a certain

all also recognize there’s a certain amount of arrogance domination

amount of arrogance domination

amount of arrogance domination aggressiveness it’s all about classic

aggressiveness it’s all about classic

aggressiveness it’s all about classic zero-sum for the alpha male and in some

zero-sum for the alpha male and in some

zero-sum for the alpha male and in some sense this manifests in nature in fact I

sense this manifests in nature in fact I

sense this manifests in nature in fact I heard a story that recently

heard a story that recently

heard a story that recently a troop of chimpanzees that brutally

a troop of chimpanzees that brutally

a troop of chimpanzees that brutally deposed a former alpha leader that had

deposed a former alpha leader that had

deposed a former alpha leader that had dominated them in years past and when

dominated them in years past and when

dominated them in years past and when the Alpha tried to reenter their

the Alpha tried to reenter their

the Alpha tried to reenter their community the younger male monkeys not

community the younger male monkeys not

community the younger male monkeys not only remembered him but they tortured

only remembered him but they tortured

only remembered him but they tortured him before they killed him and they had

him before they killed him and they had

him before they killed him and they had to put a viewer discretion on the video

to put a viewer discretion on the video

to put a viewer discretion on the video so I mean before I continue down the

so I mean before I continue down the

so I mean before I continue down the very slippery slope of being a woman

very slippery slope of being a woman

very slippery slope of being a woman talking about alpha males I should

talking about alpha males I should

talking about alpha males I should probably make an admission I am a

probably make an admission I am a

probably make an admission I am a graduate of a women’s college called

graduate of a women’s college called

graduate of a women’s college called Wellesley which is sort of a bastion of

Wellesley which is sort of a bastion of

Wellesley which is sort of a bastion of American feminism but I’m not here to

American feminism but I’m not here to

American feminism but I’m not here to mail bash in fact some of the most

mail bash in fact some of the most

mail bash in fact some of the most interesting examples of cooperation have

interesting examples of cooperation have

interesting examples of cooperation have emerged from patriarchal communities and

emerged from patriarchal communities and

emerged from patriarchal communities and with a colleague of mine we were

with a colleague of mine we were

with a colleague of mine we were actually trying to implement an impact

actually trying to implement an impact

actually trying to implement an impact investing network in the context of

investing network in the context of

investing network in the context of Atlantic Canada and I picked up a book

Atlantic Canada and I picked up a book

Atlantic Canada and I picked up a book that was written by Daniel Paul called

that was written by Daniel Paul called

that was written by Daniel Paul called we were not the savages explaining the

we were not the savages explaining the

we were not the savages explaining the experience of the Aboriginal indigenous

experience of the Aboriginal indigenous

experience of the Aboriginal indigenous communities of the McMansion in Atlantic

communities of the McMansion in Atlantic

communities of the McMansion in Atlantic Canada and what was so interesting was

Canada and what was so interesting was

Canada and what was so interesting was that this community achieved and lived

that this community achieved and lived

that this community achieved and lived with a value system that was

with a value system that was

with a value system that was fundamentally sustainable collaborative

fundamentally sustainable collaborative

fundamentally sustainable collaborative and harmonious they were able to harness

and harmonious they were able to harness

and harmonious they were able to harness the better sides of the competitive size

the better sides of the competitive size

the better sides of the competitive size of human nature while still retaining a

of human nature while still retaining a

of human nature while still retaining a deep spirituality and a deep respect for

deep spirituality and a deep respect for

deep spirituality and a deep respect for other living things in fact their

other living things in fact their

other living things in fact their civility far out shadowed that of those

civility far out shadowed that of those

civility far out shadowed that of those who tried to strip them of their lands

who tried to strip them of their lands

who tried to strip them of their lands and destroy their culture and there’s

and destroy their culture and there’s

and destroy their culture and there’s basically in nature I think a natural

basically in nature I think a natural

basically in nature I think a natural response to being subjugated by a

response to being subjugated by a

response to being subjugated by a dominant as we saw in the case of the

dominant as we saw in the case of the

dominant as we saw in the case of the monkeys there is no magical vacuum into

monkeys there is no magical vacuum into

monkeys there is no magical vacuum into which repression and injustice just

which repression and injustice just

which repression and injustice just magically disappear and similarly social

magically disappear and similarly social

magically disappear and similarly social justice sensibilities don’t emerge from

justice sensibilities don’t emerge from

justice sensibilities don’t emerge from a vacuum either we’re all part of a

a vacuum either we’re all part of a

a vacuum either we’re all part of a functioning system and in some sense I

functioning system and in some sense I

functioning system and in some sense I think this is why a capitalist system

think this is why a capitalist system

think this is why a capitalist system that functions on the basis of alpha

that functions on the basis of alpha

that functions on the basis of alpha male survival of the fittest behavior is

male survival of the fittest behavior is

male survival of the fittest behavior is inevitably going to result in some sort

inevitably going to result in some sort

inevitably going to result in some sort of violence or inequality unless we find

of violence or inequality unless we find

of violence or inequality unless we find ways to better harness the better sides

ways to better harness the better sides

ways to better harness the better sides of this archetype now unsurprisingly the

of this archetype now unsurprisingly the

of this archetype now unsurprisingly the next archetype I’ll refer to is the

next archetype I’ll refer to is the

next archetype I’ll refer to is the Divine Feminine and again I’m not

Divine Feminine and again I’m not

Divine Feminine and again I’m not talking here

talking here

talking here men or women I’m talking about what we

men or women I’m talking about what we

men or women I’m talking about what we typically understand to be the role the

typically understand to be the role the

typically understand to be the role the female gender role and its ability to

female gender role and its ability to

female gender role and its ability to establish sort of a dynamic of

establish sort of a dynamic of

establish sort of a dynamic of collaboration the likelihood of

collaboration the likelihood of

collaboration the likelihood of empowering marginalized voices achieving

empowering marginalized voices achieving

empowering marginalized voices achieving win-win outcomes and better managing

win-win outcomes and better managing

win-win outcomes and better managing risk in investment portfolios is one

risk in investment portfolios is one

risk in investment portfolios is one that’s well proven by those who are

that’s well proven by those who are

that’s well proven by those who are intentionally more collaborative and I

intentionally more collaborative and I

intentionally more collaborative and I think that if we shift for a moment to

think that if we shift for a moment to

think that if we shift for a moment to sort of the the collaboration models

sort of the the collaboration models

sort of the the collaboration models will find that the behavior of this this

will find that the behavior of this this

will find that the behavior of this this archetype is something that will govern

archetype is something that will govern

archetype is something that will govern what we see ahead I think that there’s a

what we see ahead I think that there’s a

what we see ahead I think that there’s a fundamental shift and I saw this

fundamental shift and I saw this

fundamental shift and I saw this delightful image in the news a couple of

delightful image in the news a couple of

delightful image in the news a couple of weeks ago some of you may have seen it

weeks ago some of you may have seen it

weeks ago some of you may have seen it set up on International Women’s Day by a

set up on International Women’s Day by a

set up on International Women’s Day by a hedge fund manager that I thought

hedge fund manager that I thought

hedge fund manager that I thought captured sort of the clash of the

captured sort of the clash of the

captured sort of the clash of the archetypes brilliantly this little girl

archetypes brilliantly this little girl

archetypes brilliantly this little girl defiant standing in the face of the

defiant standing in the face of the

defiant standing in the face of the representation of the capitalist system

representation of the capitalist system

representation of the capitalist system so there’s a purple elephant in the room

so there’s a purple elephant in the room

so there’s a purple elephant in the room and it took a lot of self-restraint not

and it took a lot of self-restraint not

and it took a lot of self-restraint not to put an image of a purple elephant

to put an image of a purple elephant

to put an image of a purple elephant behind me the purple elephant in the

behind me the purple elephant in the

behind me the purple elephant in the room is that the wise old wizard of

room is that the wise old wizard of

room is that the wise old wizard of development is challenged not because

development is challenged not because

development is challenged not because his knowledge is not brilliant but

his knowledge is not brilliant but

his knowledge is not brilliant but perhaps because of how it’s imparted and

perhaps because of how it’s imparted and

perhaps because of how it’s imparted and maybe a little bit because of how its

maybe a little bit because of how its

maybe a little bit because of how its funded now it’s not news that the

funded now it’s not news that the

funded now it’s not news that the development arena and international

development arena and international

development arena and international institutions are not known to be the

institutions are not known to be the

institutions are not known to be the most agile and transparent we know that

most agile and transparent we know that

most agile and transparent we know that there’s a certain level of bureaucratic

there’s a certain level of bureaucratic

there’s a certain level of bureaucratic heaviness that comes with a lot of these

heaviness that comes with a lot of these

heaviness that comes with a lot of these institutions and in fact there’s a body

institutions and in fact there’s a body

institutions and in fact there’s a body of literature one of the first books I

of literature one of the first books I

of literature one of the first books I read was the Lords of poverty given to

read was the Lords of poverty given to

read was the Lords of poverty given to me by my officemate when I was at the

me by my officemate when I was at the

me by my officemate when I was at the ITU at the United Nations describing

ITU at the United Nations describing

ITU at the United Nations describing some of the miscalculations and the

some of the miscalculations and the

some of the miscalculations and the problems sort of inherent to how the the

problems sort of inherent to how the the

problems sort of inherent to how the the arena works and so examples like UN aids

arena works and so examples like UN aids

arena works and so examples like UN aids administer aids programs administered

administer aids programs administered

administer aids programs administered with you know condoms staple –

with you know condoms staple –

with you know condoms staple – information brochures or energy

information brochures or energy

information brochures or energy solutions in a box deployed to villages

solutions in a box deployed to villages

solutions in a box deployed to villages or play pumps to draw water from the

or play pumps to draw water from the

or play pumps to draw water from the ground without thinking about how things

ground without thinking about how things

ground without thinking about how things need to be transferred for local

need to be transferred for local

need to be transferred for local ownership without thinking about

ownership without thinking about

ownership without thinking about maintenance

maintenance

maintenance and certainly the issue of fiefdom

and certainly the issue of fiefdom

and certainly the issue of fiefdom parallel events that take place within

parallel events that take place within

parallel events that take place within the umbrella of a single organization or

the umbrella of a single organization or

the umbrella of a single organization or even parallel platforms within a single

even parallel platforms within a single

even parallel platforms within a single organization all trying to solve the

organization all trying to solve the

organization all trying to solve the same problem and sort of leveraging the

same problem and sort of leveraging the

same problem and sort of leveraging the intelligence of different teams that

intelligence of different teams that

intelligence of different teams that don’t actually talk to each other so in

don’t actually talk to each other so in

don’t actually talk to each other so in some sense this is kind of a well-known

some sense this is kind of a well-known

some sense this is kind of a well-known narrative covering in lots and lots of

narrative covering in lots and lots of

narrative covering in lots and lots of books of course there are I guess

books of course there are I guess

books of course there are I guess moments sort of examples of light in

moments sort of examples of light in

moments sort of examples of light in Gandalf Stan as well we have the United

Gandalf Stan as well we have the United

Gandalf Stan as well we have the United Nations principles for responsible

Nations principles for responsible

Nations principles for responsible investment now with some of the

investment now with some of the

investment now with some of the governance issues that they’ve had that

governance issues that they’ve had that

governance issues that they’ve had that have been worked out over time this has

have been worked out over time this has

have been worked out over time this has been an incredible large success in the

been an incredible large success in the

been an incredible large success in the sense that they’ve been able to gather

sense that they’ve been able to gather

sense that they’ve been able to gather over 1600 signatories the world’s

over 1600 signatories the world’s

over 1600 signatories the world’s largest institutional investors signing

largest institutional investors signing

largest institutional investors signing on to an agreement about certain

on to an agreement about certain

on to an agreement about certain principles and really who else could

principles and really who else could

principles and really who else could have pulled that off that was set off by

have pulled that off that was set off by

have pulled that off that was set off by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan

former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan

former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan we also have sort of examples of

we also have sort of examples of

we also have sort of examples of organizations like the World Bank and

organizations like the World Bank and

organizations like the World Bank and going back to the aid organizations and

going back to the aid organizations and

going back to the aid organizations and just global aid for a moment apparently

just global aid for a moment apparently

just global aid for a moment apparently about 2.3 trillion dollars has moved

about 2.3 trillion dollars has moved

about 2.3 trillion dollars has moved from the global north to the global

from the global north to the global

from the global north to the global south and it’s important to note that

south and it’s important to note that

south and it’s important to note that you know this this money runs through

you know this this money runs through

you know this this money runs through institutions and organizations and

institutions and organizations and

institutions and organizations and departments and divisions and it also

departments and divisions and it also

departments and divisions and it also fundamentally runs through you and

fundamentally runs through you and

fundamentally runs through you and through me all of us who are personally

through me all of us who are personally

through me all of us who are personally complicit in the development arena now

complicit in the development arena now

complicit in the development arena now apparently to in order to reach the

apparently to in order to reach the

apparently to in order to reach the sustainable development goals in 2030

sustainable development goals in 2030

sustainable development goals in 2030 another 2.5 trillion dollars needs to be

another 2.5 trillion dollars needs to be

another 2.5 trillion dollars needs to be spent that’s an estimate that I read so

spent that’s an estimate that I read so

spent that’s an estimate that I read so if we think for a moment not just about

if we think for a moment not just about

if we think for a moment not just about the cost of capital but about the

the cost of capital but about the

the cost of capital but about the transaction costs of getting that to

transaction costs of getting that to

transaction costs of getting that to where it should be I think it’s

where it should be I think it’s

where it should be I think it’s interesting I mentioned for a moment

interesting I mentioned for a moment

interesting I mentioned for a moment because we’re here in Armenia I had a

because we’re here in Armenia I had a

because we’re here in Armenia I had a chance to do my PhD research here in

chance to do my PhD research here in

chance to do my PhD research here in Armenia in 2004 and I was researching

Armenia in 2004 and I was researching

Armenia in 2004 and I was researching the role of information and

the role of information and

the role of information and communication technologies and political

communication technologies and political

communication technologies and political development and it was an amazing place

development and it was an amazing place

development and it was an amazing place to do research in some ways because it’s

to do research in some ways because it’s

to do research in some ways because it’s a it’s an excellent development

a it’s an excellent development

a it’s an excellent development laboratory it’s a small country at some

laboratory it’s a small country at some

laboratory it’s a small country at some ingenious and everybody everybody’s

ingenious and everybody everybody’s

ingenious and everybody everybody’s about one degree of separation away

about one degree of separation away

about one degree of separation away Armenia receives about three billion

Armenia receives about three billion

Armenia receives about three billion dollars in overseas development

dollars in overseas development

dollars in overseas development assistance and I did a bit of back of

assistance and I did a bit of back of

assistance and I did a bit of back of the envelope and honest analysis and I

the envelope and honest analysis and I

the envelope and honest analysis and I was figuring out that so for every $1 of

was figuring out that so for every $1 of

was figuring out that so for every $1 of Oda that comes into

Oda that comes into

Oda that comes into the country about $3 comes into this

the country about $3 comes into this

the country about $3 comes into this country in the form of romances as

country in the form of romances as

country in the form of romances as compared to just under $2 in the case of

compared to just under $2 in the case of

compared to just under $2 in the case of other low or middle income countries for

other low or middle income countries for

other low or middle income countries for every $1 of Oda

every $1 of Oda

every $1 of Oda we see about $1 of FDI foreign direct

we see about $1 of FDI foreign direct

we see about $1 of FDI foreign direct investment coming to this country which

investment coming to this country which

investment coming to this country which as compared to a little over $3 for

as compared to a little over $3 for

as compared to a little over $3 for other lower middle income countries and

other lower middle income countries and

other lower middle income countries and there are stories in every one of these

there are stories in every one of these

there are stories in every one of these comparisons for every $1 of Oda and this

comparisons for every $1 of Oda and this

comparisons for every $1 of Oda and this is a major lowball figure just because I

is a major lowball figure just because I

is a major lowball figure just because I tried to calculate it on the back of the

tried to calculate it on the back of the

tried to calculate it on the back of the philanthropist that I know of but at

philanthropist that I know of but at

philanthropist that I know of but at least 25 to 50 cents on the dollar comes

least 25 to 50 cents on the dollar comes

least 25 to 50 cents on the dollar comes in in the form of philanthropy from the

in in the form of philanthropy from the

in in the form of philanthropy from the Diaspora so for every $1 of Oda coming

Diaspora so for every $1 of Oda coming

Diaspora so for every $1 of Oda coming into Armenia at least four more dollars

into Armenia at least four more dollars

into Armenia at least four more dollars is coming into this country in the form

is coming into this country in the form

is coming into this country in the form of external capital in real terms that

of external capital in real terms that

of external capital in real terms that amounts to about 36 billion dollars

amounts to about 36 billion dollars

amounts to about 36 billion dollars since independence that’s not even

since independence that’s not even

since independence that’s not even counting state budgets so and that’s

counting state budgets so and that’s

counting state budgets so and that’s also in light of a population that has

also in light of a population that has

also in light of a population that has decreased a little bit over the years as

decreased a little bit over the years as

decreased a little bit over the years as people have thought economic

people have thought economic

people have thought economic opportunities abroad and is stabilized

opportunities abroad and is stabilized

opportunities abroad and is stabilized and it’s stabilized now around I think

and it’s stabilized now around I think

and it’s stabilized now around I think about three million people so the net

about three million people so the net

about three million people so the net result is that one in three Armenians

result is that one in three Armenians

result is that one in three Armenians today apparently live under the poverty

today apparently live under the poverty

today apparently live under the poverty line with all of that money coming in so

line with all of that money coming in so

line with all of that money coming in so either what’s happening is that the

either what’s happening is that the

either what’s happening is that the capital flowing in is slipping through

capital flowing in is slipping through

capital flowing in is slipping through the margins slipping through the cracks

the margins slipping through the cracks

the margins slipping through the cracks and not reaching its intended purposes

and not reaching its intended purposes

and not reaching its intended purposes and or there is a massive what I’ll call

and or there is a massive what I’ll call

and or there is a massive what I’ll call a collaboration margin for every $1 of

a collaboration margin for every $1 of

a collaboration margin for every $1 of Oda that’s coming into this country

Oda that’s coming into this country

Oda that’s coming into this country that’s remaining underutilized or under

that’s remaining underutilized or under

that’s remaining underutilized or under leveraged in some way I think that’s the

leveraged in some way I think that’s the

leveraged in some way I think that’s the opportunity that we address today when I

opportunity that we address today when I

opportunity that we address today when I was doing my research I found evidence

was doing my research I found evidence

was doing my research I found evidence of what one of my favorite authors

of what one of my favorite authors

of what one of my favorite authors called William easterly talks about as

called William easterly talks about as

called William easterly talks about as the technocratic approach to development

the technocratic approach to development

the technocratic approach to development the conventional development paradigm

the conventional development paradigm

the conventional development paradigm the idea that poverty is essentially a

the idea that poverty is essentially a

the idea that poverty is essentially a technical problem for which we require

technical problem for which we require

technical problem for which we require technical solutions antibiotics pumps or

technical solutions antibiotics pumps or

technical solutions antibiotics pumps or in my case when I was researching them

in my case when I was researching them

in my case when I was researching them websites and fiber optic cables easterly

websites and fiber optic cables easterly

websites and fiber optic cables easterly also talks about in his book the tyranny

also talks about in his book the tyranny

also talks about in his book the tyranny of experts the idea that the real cause

of experts the idea that the real cause

of experts the idea that the real cause of poverty is actually the unchecked

of poverty is actually the unchecked

of poverty is actually the unchecked power of the state against its people

power of the state against its people

power of the state against its people who have no voice no rights and no

who have no voice no rights and no

who have no voice no rights and no feedback loop and I’ll come back to that

feedback loop and I’ll come back to that

feedback loop and I’ll come back to that feedback loop in a moment

feedback loop in a moment

feedback loop in a moment essentially when I was looking at some

essentially when I was looking at some

essentially when I was looking at some of the ministries and agencies that were

of the ministries and agencies that were

of the ministries and agencies that were admitting that we’re administering and

admitting that we’re administering and

admitting that we’re administering and using technology to deliver services

using technology to deliver services

using technology to deliver services citizens I discovered that there was not

citizens I discovered that there was not

citizens I discovered that there was not a lot of coordination amongst donors who

a lot of coordination amongst donors who

a lot of coordination amongst donors who were trying to address these projects in

were trying to address these projects in

were trying to address these projects in fact with the help of those that you

fact with the help of those that you

fact with the help of those that you know I interviewed we discovered that

know I interviewed we discovered that

know I interviewed we discovered that there were at that time and I’m sure

there were at that time and I’m sure

there were at that time and I’m sure this is a much improved margin now but

this is a much improved margin now but

this is a much improved margin now but there were a hundred and six projects in

there were a hundred and six projects in

there were a hundred and six projects in parallel all utilizing ICTs for public

parallel all utilizing ICTs for public

parallel all utilizing ICTs for public sector reform at that time and a lot of

sector reform at that time and a lot of

sector reform at that time and a lot of these projects were basically ending as

these projects were basically ending as

these projects were basically ending as soon as the money ran out in the case of

soon as the money ran out in the case of

soon as the money ran out in the case of most of these donors basically they come

most of these donors basically they come

most of these donors basically they come in again in easterly’s terminology as

in again in easterly’s terminology as

in again in easterly’s terminology as planners they have top-down sort of

planners they have top-down sort of

planners they have top-down sort of perspectives they have tick boxes in

perspectives they have tick boxes in

perspectives they have tick boxes in jargon they already have in mind and the

jargon they already have in mind and the

jargon they already have in mind and the searchers are essentially those who

searchers are essentially those who

searchers are essentially those who would come in co-create sort of listen

would come in co-create sort of listen

would come in co-create sort of listen to the market and come in with no plan

to the market and come in with no plan

to the market and come in with no plan so there’s sort of two or two different

so there’s sort of two or two different

so there’s sort of two or two different perspectives – to the development sort

perspectives – to the development sort

perspectives – to the development sort of task searchers if they are good at

of task searchers if they are good at

of task searchers if they are good at what they do we’ll also leverage the

what they do we’ll also leverage the

what they do we’ll also leverage the passions of a diaspora and I’ll take a

passions of a diaspora and I’ll take a

passions of a diaspora and I’ll take a liberty to talk about a diaspora because

liberty to talk about a diaspora because

liberty to talk about a diaspora because I consider myself as part of one here in

I consider myself as part of one here in

I consider myself as part of one here in Armenia and as most of the aspera to

Armenia and as most of the aspera to

Armenia and as most of the aspera to date I mean historically have not been

date I mean historically have not been

date I mean historically have not been the best searchers now this has changed

the best searchers now this has changed

the best searchers now this has changed in the last maybe ten years and actually

in the last maybe ten years and actually

in the last maybe ten years and actually where we’re standing today is a perfect

where we’re standing today is a perfect

where we’re standing today is a perfect example of the new innovative approaches

example of the new innovative approaches

example of the new innovative approaches that are being taken that are much more

that are being taken that are much more

that are being taken that are much more sort of search oriented most planner

sort of search oriented most planner

sort of search oriented most planner type approaches taken by diasporas have

type approaches taken by diasporas have

type approaches taken by diasporas have often treated symptoms as opposed to

often treated symptoms as opposed to

often treated symptoms as opposed to thinking about sort of addressing

thinking about sort of addressing

thinking about sort of addressing underlying political economic illnesses

underlying political economic illnesses

underlying political economic illnesses now what does an investment approach to

now what does an investment approach to

now what does an investment approach to development mean there’s no debate that

development mean there’s no debate that

development mean there’s no debate that competition and business acumen and sort

competition and business acumen and sort

competition and business acumen and sort of the rigor of a business lens are a

of the rigor of a business lens are a

of the rigor of a business lens are a good thing of course they are the thing

good thing of course they are the thing

good thing of course they are the thing is my 10 million dollars in the foremost

is my 10 million dollars in the foremost

is my 10 million dollars in the foremost of a silver bullet or another person’s

of a silver bullet or another person’s

of a silver bullet or another person’s 50 million dollars in the former’s –

50 million dollars in the former’s –

50 million dollars in the former’s – over Silver Bullet are not going to

over Silver Bullet are not going to

over Silver Bullet are not going to achieve their goals

achieve their goals

achieve their goals they’re not actually coordinated

they’re not actually coordinated

they’re not actually coordinated especially if we’re out to try to you

especially if we’re out to try to you

especially if we’re out to try to you know solve a major development problem

know solve a major development problem

know solve a major development problem in terms of the debate around the

in terms of the debate around the

in terms of the debate around the approach of investors I think there are

approach of investors I think there are

approach of investors I think there are certain characteristics to sort of the

certain characteristics to sort of the

certain characteristics to sort of the the business lens there’s a sort of an

the business lens there’s a sort of an

the business lens there’s a sort of an art it comes back to the archetype of

art it comes back to the archetype of

art it comes back to the archetype of the wolf of wallstreet flag-waving

the wolf of wallstreet flag-waving

the wolf of wallstreet flag-waving territoriality brandishing tools and

territoriality brandishing tools and

territoriality brandishing tools and weapons the sort of traditional alpha

weapons the sort of traditional alpha

weapons the sort of traditional alpha investor will basically shrug his

investor will basically shrug his

investor will basically shrug his shoulders and sort of talks you know

shoulders and sort of talks you know

shoulders and sort of talks you know talk to an impact investor and say you

talk to an impact investor and say you

talk to an impact investor and say you know in the traditional financial

know in the traditional financial

know in the traditional financial markets in the real world in terms of

markets in the real world in terms of

markets in the real world in terms of how things work we don’t share diligence

how things work we don’t share diligence

how things work we don’t share diligence we don’t share information about

we don’t share information about

we don’t share information about pipelines we don’t share information

pipelines we don’t share information

pipelines we don’t share information about our portfolios because that’s just

about our portfolios because that’s just

about our portfolios because that’s just not how it’s done and I would argue and

not how it’s done and I would argue and

not how it’s done and I would argue and I and I don’t suggest for a moment that

I and I don’t suggest for a moment that

I and I don’t suggest for a moment that we should be sharing information

we should be sharing information

we should be sharing information indiscriminately holding hands around a

indiscriminately holding hands around a

indiscriminately holding hands around a campfire singing songs I actually think

campfire singing songs I actually think

campfire singing songs I actually think that we have to bear in mind that the

that we have to bear in mind that the

that we have to bear in mind that the ability of our solutions that we’re

ability of our solutions that we’re

ability of our solutions that we’re investing in to scale our function of

investing in to scale our function of

investing in to scale our function of our network the ability of our solutions

our network the ability of our solutions

our network the ability of our solutions it’s a benefit from liquidity are a

it’s a benefit from liquidity are a

it’s a benefit from liquidity are a function of our network and to that

function of our network and to that

function of our network and to that extent I think that type of

extent I think that type of

extent I think that type of collaborative approach is useful in

collaborative approach is useful in

collaborative approach is useful in capitalism 2.0 or in what we’re talking

capitalism 2.0 or in what we’re talking

capitalism 2.0 or in what we’re talking about is post capitalism what’s

about is post capitalism what’s

about is post capitalism what’s interesting I think there’s this big

interesting I think there’s this big

interesting I think there’s this big debate about the trade-offs of impact

debate about the trade-offs of impact

debate about the trade-offs of impact investment and I think what Spurs that

investment and I think what Spurs that

investment and I think what Spurs that is that there’s kind of a clashing of

is that there’s kind of a clashing of

is that there’s kind of a clashing of the archetypes and certainly the impact

the archetypes and certainly the impact

the archetypes and certainly the impact investors are using sort of the tools

investors are using sort of the tools

investors are using sort of the tools from the traditional financial arena and

from the traditional financial arena and

from the traditional financial arena and the tools and the tools of the

the tools and the tools of the

the tools and the tools of the development arena but the thing is

development arena but the thing is

development arena but the thing is what’s the net result if the venture

what’s the net result if the venture

what’s the net result if the venture capitalists beat the development wizards

capitalists beat the development wizards

capitalists beat the development wizards at their own game

at their own game

at their own game the evidence base for impact investing

the evidence base for impact investing

the evidence base for impact investing is grown there’s not a lot of question

is grown there’s not a lot of question

is grown there’s not a lot of question there’s a lot of different sort of

there’s a lot of different sort of

there’s a lot of different sort of foundations clubs and traditional

foundations clubs and traditional

foundations clubs and traditional consulting organizations that are

consulting organizations that are

consulting organizations that are providing ample evidence of the

providing ample evidence of the

providing ample evidence of the performance of impact portfolios when

performance of impact portfolios when

performance of impact portfolios when companies are able to embed impact into

companies are able to embed impact into

companies are able to embed impact into the DNA of companies they outperform

the DNA of companies they outperform

the DNA of companies they outperform market benchmarks so that’s not new

market benchmarks so that’s not new

market benchmarks so that’s not new all Olson is a social monster Olson was

all Olson is a social monster Olson was

all Olson is a social monster Olson was a social scientist and an economist who

a social scientist and an economist who

a social scientist and an economist who basically talked about the logic that

basically talked about the logic that

basically talked about the logic that drives this he talked about enlightened

drives this he talked about enlightened

drives this he talked about enlightened self-interest and the logic of

self-interest and the logic of

self-interest and the logic of collective action

collective action

collective action it turns out that this logic holds and

it turns out that this logic holds and

it turns out that this logic holds and there’s been recent experiments to prove

there’s been recent experiments to prove

there’s been recent experiments to prove this when there are cases of social

this when there are cases of social

this when there are cases of social transparency on the contributions of

transparency on the contributions of

transparency on the contributions of people to those public goods so what

people to those public goods so what

people to those public goods so what that means to me is that today in a

that means to me is that today in a

that means to me is that today in a Twitter meets blockchain world where

Twitter meets blockchain world where

Twitter meets blockchain world where everything that we do can be tracked

everything that we do can be tracked

everything that we do can be tracked where our respective contributions are

where our respective contributions are

where our respective contributions are visible we can actually establish the

visible we can actually establish the

visible we can actually establish the fabric of cooperation for better

fabric of cooperation for better

fabric of cooperation for better outcomes technology is a key driver for

outcomes technology is a key driver for

outcomes technology is a key driver for some of the best nonzero-sum

some of the best nonzero-sum

some of the best nonzero-sum interactions out there and that includes

interactions out there and that includes

interactions out there and that includes things like surfing the World Wide Web

things like surfing the World Wide Web

things like surfing the World Wide Web flying in airplanes you know raising

flying in airplanes you know raising

flying in airplanes you know raising crowd campaigns and that kind of thing I

crowd campaigns and that kind of thing I

crowd campaigns and that kind of thing I would argue that this technology is

would argue that this technology is

would argue that this technology is actually a key to an sort of reinventing

actually a key to an sort of reinventing

actually a key to an sort of reinventing the fabric of human trust we set up the

the fabric of human trust we set up the

the fabric of human trust we set up the artha platform the artha platform is

artha platform the artha platform is

artha platform the artha platform is actually a tool that we set up to enable

actually a tool that we set up to enable

actually a tool that we set up to enable sharing of deal flow on a systematic

sharing of deal flow on a systematic

sharing of deal flow on a systematic basis and also to enable the ability for

basis and also to enable the ability for

basis and also to enable the ability for people to conduct due diligence with

people to conduct due diligence with

people to conduct due diligence with access to people on the ground so we

access to people on the ground so we

access to people on the ground so we don’t actually have to fly a green guy

don’t actually have to fly a green guy

don’t actually have to fly a green guy in from Geneva to go and do a due

in from Geneva to go and do a due

in from Geneva to go and do a due diligence if we’re actually able to

diligence if we’re actually able to

diligence if we’re actually able to leverage the user-generated feedback

leverage the user-generated feedback

leverage the user-generated feedback loop on people’s profiles if we know

loop on people’s profiles if we know

loop on people’s profiles if we know that people trust the service provider

that people trust the service provider

that people trust the service provider they can actually be brought in to

they can actually be brought in to

they can actually be brought in to respond on on a basis that makes sense

respond on on a basis that makes sense

respond on on a basis that makes sense this enhances the efficiency of the

this enhances the efficiency of the

this enhances the efficiency of the impact investor in a given region in

impact investor in a given region in

impact investor in a given region in this case of the artha platform

this case of the artha platform

this case of the artha platform functions in India and we’ve actually

functions in India and we’ve actually

functions in India and we’ve actually had a great example of the

had a great example of the

had a great example of the inter-american Development Bank as a

inter-american Development Bank as a

inter-american Development Bank as a pioneering development institution that

pioneering development institution that

pioneering development institution that has decided to adopt and adapt this type

has decided to adopt and adapt this type

has decided to adopt and adapt this type of architecture to be able to allow for

of architecture to be able to allow for

of architecture to be able to allow for the smaller tickets beyond is sort of

the smaller tickets beyond is sort of

the smaller tickets beyond is sort of far far sort of to the left of on their

far far sort of to the left of on their

far far sort of to the left of on their curve of ticket sizes so that everything

curve of ticket sizes so that everything

curve of ticket sizes so that everything below two or three million dollars could

below two or three million dollars could

below two or three million dollars could be addressed by those more agile funders

be addressed by those more agile funders

be addressed by those more agile funders who can actually leverage this type of a

who can actually leverage this type of a

who can actually leverage this type of a tool to to manage efficiencies what

tool to to manage efficiencies what

tool to to manage efficiencies what we’ve discovered over the years after

we’ve discovered over the years after

we’ve discovered over the years after having built this platform is that

having built this platform is that

having built this platform is that actually there are a number of other

actually there are a number of other

actually there are a number of other platforms there are a number of other

platforms there are a number of other

platforms there are a number of other user

user

user and founders and innovators that have

and founders and innovators that have

and founders and innovators that have had the same thought

had the same thought

had the same thought approximately if this is just off the

approximately if this is just off the

approximately if this is just off the top of my head in terms of the peer

top of my head in terms of the peer

top of my head in terms of the peer networks and improve information

networks and improve information

networks and improve information infrastructure that’s been set up

infrastructure that’s been set up

infrastructure that’s been set up probably 60 to 70 million dollars at a

probably 60 to 70 million dollars at a

probably 60 to 70 million dollars at a minimum has been spent on building the

minimum has been spent on building the

minimum has been spent on building the kind of information architecture that

kind of information architecture that

kind of information architecture that we’re talking about here all of these

we’re talking about here all of these

we’re talking about here all of these are essentially aggregating information

are essentially aggregating information

are essentially aggregating information and trying to adopt and adapt sort of an

and trying to adopt and adapt sort of an

and trying to adopt and adapt sort of an open architecture approach to creating a

open architecture approach to creating a

open architecture approach to creating a coherent social capital market we have a

coherent social capital market we have a

coherent social capital market we have a long way to go and a lot of the

long way to go and a lot of the

long way to go and a lot of the discussion the connective tissue that

discussion the connective tissue that

discussion the connective tissue that needs to be built I believe actually

needs to be built I believe actually

needs to be built I believe actually will reside and come back to the

will reside and come back to the

will reside and come back to the leadership of development organizations

leadership of development organizations

leadership of development organizations I would argue that essentially we have

I would argue that essentially we have

I would argue that essentially we have to adopt sort of the opposite of an

to adopt sort of the opposite of an

to adopt sort of the opposite of an alpha approach to be able to achieve

alpha approach to be able to achieve

alpha approach to be able to achieve these types of collaborations we need to

these types of collaborations we need to

these types of collaborations we need to be radically collaborative with one

be radically collaborative with one

be radically collaborative with one another to be able to minimize and

another to be able to minimize and

another to be able to minimize and manage the costs of getting some of this

manage the costs of getting some of this

manage the costs of getting some of this capital to where it needs to get there’s

capital to where it needs to get there’s

capital to where it needs to get there’s no point in having different

no point in having different

no point in having different organizations building solutions over

organizations building solutions over

organizations building solutions over and over and yet we see this every

and over and yet we see this every

and over and yet we see this every single day we have the technology to do

single day we have the technology to do

single day we have the technology to do better to enable the types of

better to enable the types of

better to enable the types of interactions that will support outcomes

interactions that will support outcomes

interactions that will support outcomes based models and essentially Trust is

based models and essentially Trust is

based models and essentially Trust is not only possible it is the preferable

not only possible it is the preferable

not only possible it is the preferable approach to achieving the kind of STG

approach to achieving the kind of STG

approach to achieving the kind of STG outcomes were all aiming for so what

outcomes were all aiming for so what

outcomes were all aiming for so what will be the some behavior of our work

will be the some behavior of our work

will be the some behavior of our work here today but what will define the

here today but what will define the

here today but what will define the essence of what you and me and what all

essence of what you and me and what all

essence of what you and me and what all of us are here to achieve will it be the

of us are here to achieve will it be the

of us are here to achieve will it be the approach taken by the Wolves of Wall

approach taken by the Wolves of Wall

approach taken by the Wolves of Wall Street will it be all about the council

Street will it be all about the council

Street will it be all about the council of elders or will we actually be open

of elders or will we actually be open

of elders or will we actually be open and resonant to the quantum level

and resonant to the quantum level

and resonant to the quantum level evidence that the winners and losers in

evidence that the winners and losers in

evidence that the winners and losers in our system today are all one we are all

our system today are all one we are all

our system today are all one we are all connected in some ways I think it’s a

connected in some ways I think it’s a

connected in some ways I think it’s a perfect time to be rethinking incentives

perfect time to be rethinking incentives

perfect time to be rethinking incentives it’s a perfect time to be rethinking

it’s a perfect time to be rethinking

it’s a perfect time to be rethinking sort of collaboration margins and it’s

sort of collaboration margins and it’s

sort of collaboration margins and it’s time to sort of make it a taboo to make

time to sort of make it a taboo to make

time to sort of make it a taboo to make people to see people an individual

people to see people an individual

people to see people an individual organization

organization

organization working alone saw in solving problems

working alone saw in solving problems

working alone saw in solving problems that are not our own so if we’re going

that are not our own so if we’re going

that are not our own so if we’re going to actually sharp shoot those silver

to actually sharp shoot those silver

to actually sharp shoot those silver bullets that we’ve crafted and developed

bullets that we’ve crafted and developed

bullets that we’ve crafted and developed so carefully into the regions that we

so carefully into the regions that we

so carefully into the regions that we want to get them to I think it’s time

want to get them to I think it’s time

want to get them to I think it’s time that we start thinking about the

that we start thinking about the

that we start thinking about the slingshots we’re using and in real and

slingshots we’re using and in real and

slingshots we’re using and in real and in reality the the wise wizards of

in reality the the wise wizards of

in reality the the wise wizards of development the High Priestesses of

development the High Priestesses of

development the High Priestesses of collective action and the alpha males

collective action and the alpha males

collective action and the alpha males and the wolves have never been better

and the wolves have never been better

and the wolves have never been better poised and positioned to collaborate for

poised and positioned to collaborate for

poised and positioned to collaborate for the greater good thank you

the greater good thank you

the greater good thank you [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]