Sophie Edwards
Devex
Washington, DC, United States
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Past articles by Sophie:
Despite promises, UNMAS staff say nothing has been done about 'toxic' culture
Last year, U.N. leadership launched a 14-month action plan to reform the demining agency's management following complaints of bullying. Ten months in, staff say the situation is worse than ever. → Read More
Exclusive: DFID poised to announce COVID-19 funding through rapid response network
DFID told NGO leaders to get ready for a new funding package, multiple sources told Devex, after complaints about a lack of NGO engagement in its pandemic response. → Read More
UK election 2019: How do parties' promises on aid measure up?
Devex takes a look at the campaign promises of the three main parties — from the Conservatives' quiet change of tone to Labour's "green revolution," and the Liberal Democrats' plans for DFID. → Read More
World Bank staff chastise the board over lack of diversity
While gender parity at the bank has greatly improved in recent years, its board of executive directors has remained male-dominated. → Read More
Watchdog to investigate IFC support for Bridge private schools in Kenya
The International Finance Corporation's accountability mechanism has flagged "substantial concerns" about the organization's $13.5 million investment in school chain Bridge International Academies in Kenya, sparking renewed debate over aid funding for commercial education. → Read More
In decentralization push, World Bank to relocate hundreds of DC staffers
The World Bank’s senior management team sent a message to staff providing more details about plans to decentralize and expand the multilateral development bank’s global footprint. → Read More
DFID gives up on idea for an international safeguarding ombudsman
DFID chief Alok Sharma questioned the practicality of the proposal — which was put forward in response to sexual abuse scandals in the aid sector last year — despite support from parliamentarians. → Read More
With SDG 4 out of reach, World Bank launches more feasible education target
The world's largest education donor is calling on countries to focus their efforts around a new, simpler goal — to halve the number of 10-year-old children unable to read a simple sentence by 2030. → Read More
5 questions for the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings
The World Bank and International Monetary Fund are both under new leadership — facing challenges such as fragile states, debt traps, and transparent financing — here are five questions Devex will be asking as the annual meetings kick off in Washington, D.C. → Read More
IFC transparency promise 'an important first step,' say experts
Philippe Le Houérou, head of the International Finance Corporation, announced an industry-leading pledge on transparency about its private sector subsidies. Experts weigh in on its significance. → Read More
Inside DFID's £90M investment in FSD Africa
The U.K. government has tripled its support for a little known development finance outfit, the latest in a string of commitments aimed at boosting private sector development in Africa. → Read More
World Bank names veteran staffer as new managing director
The World Bank has named Axel van Trotsenburg, the institution's longest-serving vice president, as its new managing director. Devex spoke to him about his priorities shortly after the announcement. → Read More
Prosperity Fund defies critics to double spending
Experts say the U.K.'s controversial cross-government Prosperity Fund is still failing to demonstrate strong development impact as it publishes its third annual report. → Read More
Has UNESCO lost its way?
The U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization was once the leading voice on education internationally — but funding cuts and politics have left questions hanging over its future. → Read More
DFID puts £220M into fighting NTDs
Health experts have welcomed an “unprecedented” program targeting five of the worst neglected tropical diseases across Africa and Asia. → Read More
UK announces £600M for SRHR amid US opposition
DFID chief Alok Sharma emphasizes the centrality of sexual and reproductive health and rights, as the U.S. representative calls for the term to be dropped from U.N. documents. → Read More
UK pledges £1.3B for climate and biodiversity but aid experts flag concerns
The government announced three new cross-government climate and biodiversity funds at the UN General Assembly — but aid experts questioned whether it should be coming from the ODA pot. → Read More
DFID resources drained by other departments, experts warn
The U.K. government has required DFID to support other departments in spending aid but provided it with no additional resources, nor a clear mandate, for doing so, according to the aid watchdog. → Read More
UK aid groups grapple with shifting tax rules
The ongoing debate over whether aid should be taxed has resulted in a fragmented landscape of tax liabilities that can be difficult to navigate. → Read More
Experts question DFID's promised spending boost
This week's U.K. government spending review promised DFID a 1.5% real-terms increase in its budget for 2020-21, but at least some of the money looks set to be absorbed by other departments. → Read More