Global Financial Crisis Response | 2008 - 2011

The year was 1997. I was hired by UNDP Mongolia to establish and head up its communications operations in the country (UNDP Mongolia Communications Office). At the time, Mongolia was experiencing “one of the biggest peacetime economic collapses ever” (Pomfret: 1994) . And it showed. Food was scarce, unemployment high, poverty was increasing, and the capital Ulaanbaatar consisted of decaying and shabby Soviet and Communist architecture. The country felt isolated and cut-off from a world experiencing the boom of the late 1990s and the information technology revolution. 

Working in the country for two years (1997-1999) taught me a great deal about how a country recovers from a severe crisis and rebuilds its economy. I learned about human resilience and how markets can restore economies; the key role information technology plays and the importance of unfettered information and knowledge sharing to give people the tools they require to re-build their lives and grow wealth. Read more about this experience here: http://www.davidsouthconsulting.com/case-studies/case-study-4-un-undp-mongolia-1997-1999.html

The unfolding Global Financial Crisis in 2008, while caused by the collapse of the financial system, also presented an opportunity to apply the lessons learned in the late 1990s. The crisis was a roller coaster ride and provided a front row seat to what happens when too much debt and fraud overwhelms the financial system. A conference in Switzerland on African trade opportunities in 2008 was disrupted by the crisis as participants received frantic calls from London and New York and grabbed their bags and fled. Later that year I joined my wife (a foreign correspondent) in Reykjavik, Iceland as demonstrations erupted resulting from the collapse of their banks. Later this was called the ‘Pots and Pans Revolution’ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Icelandic_financial_crisis_protests). See pictures of the demonstrations here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/15195144@N06/albums/72157613009834677

In 2009 I attended a UN conference in Geneva, Switzerland to evaluate the crisis and forecast where it might go. I wrote a blog about it here: http://www.davidsouthconsulting.com/blog/2016/1/8/global-crisis-report-from-the-un-conference-on-the-social-an.html

On the streets of Paris in 2009.

As this was happening something very exciting was emerging. While researching the e-newsletter Development Challenges, South-South Solutions for the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), it became clear a quiet revolution was ocurring as a result of the rapid spreading of mobile and information technologies across the global South. That represented an exceptional crisis response tool where governments and the financial system were failing people. The e-newsletter was being sent to a global subscriber base across the United Nations and governments, reaching a highly influential audience in the global system. 

In 2011, this research went into the landmark first issue of the magazine Southern Innovator (called “a terrific tour de force of what is interesting, cutting edge and relevant in the global mobile/ICT space…”). This transformative magazine leveraged even greater change as it inspired many, as well as being cited as an influence on the UN’s and UNDP’s strategic priorities (the current innovation agenda and the focus on South-South cooperation). 

The repercussions of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis are still with us. Central banks continue with emergency measures (low interest rates, asset purchases, QE etc.) and consumer, government and corporate debt continues to rise. An ability to respond and recover will still be needed and David South Consulting will be there. 

© David South Consulting 2017

UNDP Clients | 1997 - 2014

UNDP Mongolia Communications Office 

A sample of the many publications developed by the UNDP Mongolia Communications Office between 1997 and 1999. Photographed in our London, UK HQ.

UNDP Mongolia staff photo 1997. I served for two years as the UNDP Mongolia head of communications (1997-1999). I am sitting front row centre left of the UN Resident Coordinator Douglas Gardner.

United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC)

Resulting from the influential UN e-newsletter Development Challenges, South-South Solutions, Southern Innovator magazine published five issues between 2011 and 2014. Designed by Solveig Rolfsdottir in Iceland using 100% renewable energy.

Senior Partner David South at the Sydney Opera House in 2013.

© David South Consulting 2017

Why David South Consulting (DSC)/David South International (DSI)?

How we work is as important as the results we get. In fact, we believe it shapes the result. Get the journey to the goal right, and the goal will be better for it; more substantial, more effective, more long-lasting. We have developed a methodology and way of working that can take complex and complicated mandates and turn them into clear achievements.

Through our case studies, we show how messy, complex and often conflicting mandates are re-shaped into substantial achievements that inspire others. We have done this for large institutions undergoing great stress and transformation (usually in some way brought on by digital change), and for smaller organizations and start-ups. 

Modern organizations are diverse, often under stress, and buffeted by shifting political demands. 

We understand complexity is the norm for any organization working with highly educated professionals seeking to be leaders in their field. If you do not engage them, they leave for greener pastures. 

We listen, we review the mandates and research the data; we get to know the players and stakeholders; and then we act, with the staying power and focus required to get substantial results. It has made many of our past clients’ careers - and money. 

This includes offering strategic support to senior large institution leaders, including high-profile women leaders and senior UN officials and healthcare professionals. 

For example, we have twice helped in making UNDP (the UN’s development agency) relevant to the digital era, adapting to the new way of doing things, in particular how young people can be better engaged. We have worked in a major crisis in Asia, during rapid transformation to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) (being called a “role model”), and with a wide range of clients, from youth media start-ups to a prestigious academic research institute. 

Quick to spot trends and consistently viewing them from a human development perspective (UNDP’s development methodology, which is championed every year in its global and national human development reports), DSC/DSI was able to build a respected profile and brand for the United Nations, while drawing others into the innovation and South-South space, making it ‘cool’.

When this work had started at the end of 2006, there was very little coverage online and in the media of the quiet solutions revolution in the global South; today there are many services, media outlets and websites covering stories on the global South and innovation. Examples include The Guardian, SciDev, Devex, Planet Earth Institute, Quartz, etc. And the innovation message has been picked up by governments around the world. 

While consulting for UN missions in the early to mid-2000s, we had noticed a disconnect between how development was being done and what was happening in information and mobile technology and its potential. 

As far back as the late 1990s in Mongolia (then embroiled in a major crisis), DSC/DSI was able to leverage the emerging Internet and information technologies to address the crisis response. Called a “role model” for other UN missions in a global UN assessment, this work inspired the wider UN to alter its approach to these new technologies and capabilities.

During several years of working as a consultant in various UN missions around the world, we also noticed further disconnects. The rapid take-up of mobile phones being the most important. This had gone on quietly but it was revolutionary in what it could do for development. In fact, it was clear there was a quiet revolution happening in how people solved problems and dealt with the problems in their lives and it had little to do with ‘high-level’ declarations or elaborate plans. Instead, people were adapting these new technologies and potentialities to solve their problems organically: how to make money, how to support their families, how to get an education and learn, how to live in the rapidly urbanising world of their lived experience.

In 2007 we were hired by the UN’s then-Special Unit for South-South Cooperation (now the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation) to document this quiet revolution and champion its innovators and pioneers.    

© David South Consulting 2017

Seven Case Studies on the Way

Seven Case Studies from David South Consulting/David South International will soon be posted on the website. They give a snapshot of past achievements as well as key data and links for anyone conducting research, in particular on youth and crisis resilience/austerity, youth and start-ups, health and human development innovators, international development, United Nations missions and policy, design and strategy (especially as a way out of a crisis), and the application of digital and Internet content to achieve goals. 

Highlights include: 

- investigative journalism

- introducing youth start-up culture to Toronto, Canada

- rescuing Mongolia (a Northeast Asian country) from the worst 20th century post-WWII peacetime economic and social collapse

- pioneering work in communications and digital content for the United Nations leading to it being awarded the Nobel Prize in 2001

- modernising online and digital content for the UK's National Health Service and becoming an award-winning role model  

- identifying and shaping the response to the mobile and information technology revolution in the global South and celebrating the 21st century global South innovator culture  

© David South Consulting 2017

Southern Innovator and Development Challenges 2014 | 9 March 2016

 

July 2014 issue of Development Challenges, South-South Solutions: The last issue is available online for download. Support the e-newsletter for 2016: we are seeking additional funding so we can improve the reader experience and frequency of the e-newsletter. Since first launching in 2006, we often heard from readers how they valued the stories in the e-newsletter and how it has helped in raising the profile of innovators across the global South (“Congratulations on another great newsletter that’s packed with fascinating information! I really enjoy getting it each month.”). Additional resources would enable us to improve the way readers can access and receive the e-newsletter, enable the e-newsletter's contributors to travel and report on developments, and allow us to offer daily and weekly updates and a wider range of resources online and on mobile platforms. Additional funds help in maintaining the quality of the e-newsletter, something that has been appreciated by readers ("Great economic and business reporting! Very helpful for us.” Africa Renewal). It will also allow the e-newsletter to spin-off quality resources for innovators, such as the influential magazine Southern Innovator. Contact the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation if you wish to support the e-newsletter for 2016.

Southern Innovator Magazine Issue 4: Cities and Urbanization (ISBN 978-0-9920217-0-2) (ISSN 2222-9280) features solutions from across the global South. One reader commented on Issue 4: "The magazine looks fantastic, great content and a beautiful design!" 

Some comments that have come in so far about SI's first issue:

"What a tremendous magazine your team has produced! It's a terrific tour de force of what is interesting, cutting edge and relevant in the global mobile/ICT space... Really looking forward to what you produce in issues #2 and #3. This is great, engaging, relevant and topical stuff.", to "Looks great. Congratulations. It’s Brill’s Content for the 21st century!"

What they are saying about SI on Twitter: From @CapacityPlus Nice job RT @ActevisCGroup: RT @UNDP: Great looking informative @SouthSouth1 mag on South-South Innovation; @UNDP Great looking informative @SouthSouth1 mag on South-South Innovation; @JeannineLemaire Graphically beautiful & informative @UNDP Southern Innovator mag on South-South Innov. 

And on Pinterest:

Peggy Lee • 1 year ago

"Beautiful, inspiring magazine from UNDP on South-South innovation. Heart is pumping adrenaline and admiration just reading it."

MJ Wood • 1 year ago

"The first issue’s Great info to know!"

Some comments that have come in so far about SI's second issue:

"Thank you David - Your insight into the issues facing us a[s] [a] "global Village" is made real in the detail of your article - 10 out of 10 from the moladi team."

Some comments that have come in so far about SI's fourth issue:

"The magazine looks fantastic, great content and a beautiful design!"

"I liked your latest Southern innovator! Always inspiring."

Some comments that have come in so far about SI's fifth issue:

"Btw, I really enjoyed reading them, impressive work & a great resource. Looking forward to Issue 6. My best wishes to you & your team at SI."

"... great magazine, nice design."

Southern Innovator knowledge centre website story archive.