One Young World Academy: Official Development Assistance

Introduction

The One Young World Academy Series 2024, an initiative by The Gates Foundation and One Young World, consisted of four pre-recorded sessions featuring high-level representatives who addressed crucial development topics. The series targeted over +1000 young leaders from Europe, Africa, Asia and America. The sessions were designed to emphasise the importance of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the international landscape and the challenges of ODA cuts. Sessions explored how the debt situation in Africa has impacted the development and growth of the continent and encouraged action through participant deliverables by asking them to address how ODA has helped bridge the gap between the Global North and South. The selection process was conducted through One Young World based on the nominating supporter partners.

The programme's main objective was to incorporate young leaders into the discussions around the importance of ODA. The intention was to bring ODA to the forefront of development conversations, provide tools to understand its significance, reignite interest in ODA, showcase the progress achieved so far, and learn from impactful case studies from around the world.

The ODA Academy Series 2024 has become the first globally recognised e-learning platform offering content on development challenges led by some of the world’s foremost leaders and experts for young global leaders. The Academy became a mechanism that allowed young learners from 18 to 35 years to build their knowledge and skills across ODA topics.

The ODA Academy project allowed young leaders to:

Gain real-life practical project experience and develop a range of skills and knowledge about ODA topics.
Gain insights from experts in the field, including other young leaders who have expertise and vast experience across different fields.
Gain the possibility to be part of an exclusive Media Master Class and have the chance to speak at media outlets about their leadership and contribution to the development of global challenges.
Obtain verified digital credentials upon completion of the course.

Official Development Assistance (ODA) is financial support from official providers to aid recipients (low- and middle-income countries) in areas such as health, sanitation, education, and infrastructure. For many countries especially in times of crisis, ODA is the most stable and predictable source of external funding. For millions of people, ODA means having electricity, medical care and food on the table. It means an opportunity for a better future.

In 1970, most countries agreed on a United Nations target of giving 0.7% of national income in aid (ODA/GNI). As recently as 2005, and again in 2015, European Union countries recommitted. As of 2024 however, only five countries have reached the target of allocating 0.7% of their GNI to ODA. Despite reaching historical levels in 2022, ODA decreased by 2% ($4 billion) for developing regions, affecting over 70 countries and almost 3 billion people.

Amid this faltering funding landscape, the world is not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Developing countries are bearing the brunt of a collective failure to invest in the SDGs. Under current levels, 575 million people will still be living in extreme poverty in 2030, and only around one third of countries will meet the target to halve national poverty levels.

If we are to achieve the SDGs and leave no one behind, ODA must improve both in terms of scale and quality. We believe young leaders have an essential role to play in ensuring donor nations live up to this by using their collective voices and networks to hold their governments accountable. In order for aid to be effective and channelled into long-term, sustainable solutions, we must be guided by young leaders from the Global South, leveraging their lived experience and expertise in their own regional contexts. These leaders best understand where the need and opportunities for impact are greatest.

Empowering 1,000 young leaders to take action, we have teamed up with the Gates Foundation for a special One Young World Academy Series focused on ODA. In this Academy Series, participants are guided by leading development experts to enhance their understanding of ODA and develop their own individual advocacy actions. The sessions encourage action by inviting participants to submit a deliverable (3 - 5 minutes video) graded after the series concluded. The 5 selected winners are invited to speak on global media outlets about the significance of ODA in the current political and economic climate. One Young World Ambassadors (alongside other invitees) are encouraged to explore ODA in their country contexts and are asked to consider how ODA can serve as a means of bridging the gap between the Global North and South, acting as a mechanism of hope.

What is ODA

This session explored the definition of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and its significance in today's global context. It also examined the decision-making process behind ODA and its effects on various budgets. Lastly, the session emphasised the importance of advocacy on this issue and the crucial role of active youth engagement across different scenarios.

Navigating Today's Global Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities in International Development

This session delved into the current global socio-economic and political landscape, focusing on the differences between the slow growth in Europe and the growing opportunities in Africa. It also addressed the difficulties in drawing attention to global issues with the prevalent focus on domestic matters and geopolitical tensions, and examined the shift towards right-wing parties with nationalist agendas among European youth.

Understanding ODA: The Backbone of Global Development Funding

This session offered a comprehensive introduction to Official Development Assistance (ODA), which is a crucial fund worth $200 billion supporting health, development and climate programmes worldwide. ODA is often overlooked outside of development agencies and relevant Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), despite being the primary funding source for many Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)- related initiatives. The session covered the history of ODA, how countries set priorities for international development programmes and the concerning trends of ODA cuts with specific examples of affected programmes.

Rebranding the Official Development Assistance (ODA) concept

This session examined the current state of international aid and discussed the necessity to revitalise its role. The session explored strategies to redefine aid to ensure that policies from the Global North meet the actual needs of the Global South. Content also showcased successful activist efforts that have effectively drawn attention to these issues, featuring perspectives from dynamic activists.

52.5 % Young leaders completed the course.

42 % Credly badge accepted

Speakers

James Chau

David McNair

Joanne Driels

Laurence Janta-Lipinski

Adrien Abécassis

Etsehiwot Negash Kebret

Cerni Escalé Cabré

Radhika Batra

President Laura Chinchilla

Michael Møller

Paul Polman

Maimuna Maibe

Daeshik Jo

Vivian Ojo

Giorgi Tumasyan

Shudufhadzo Musida

Fara Ndiaye

Hassan Damluji

Farhana Shahnaz

Luca Bucken

Sarah Sladen

Coursework and Certification

Once participants completed all sessions, they were given the opportunity to submit a 3-5 minute video capturing their vision of ODA and its role in today’s political and economic landscape.

After submitting their videos, the top five participants were selected to take part in an exclusive Media Master Class. They also had the chance to speak on global media outlets about the significance of ODA in the current political and economic climate.

All participants who completed the full Academy course qualified for a free Credly certification.