Some lessons from OU MSc (Development Management) - Macroeconomics

1) Since WW2, there was an increase in GDP per capita inequality between states and within states up until about 1990 (Milanovic, 2012).  Since the 1990s this continues within states, but is reversing between states.  More recent HDI measures (literacy, health, wealth) indicate that global HDI figures have consistently improved between 1990 and 2012 (UNDP, 2000 p.12)

2) Negative GDP growth seen in sub-Saharan Africa in 1970s ('debt-led growth' following OPEC crisis) and 1980s ('lost decade').  Similar, if slightly less pronounced trends seen in India and Bangladesh.

3) Most MDGs have moved nearly to the success criteria between 1990 and 2015, key sub-measure exceptions being carbon emissions (climate change), clean water availability

4) Should be noted that global measures give a helpful overview but national/regional/local distinctions are much more important for intervention.  Unless, of course, you're implementing macroeconomic interventions, which seem just as heinously complex as implementing UK macroeconomic interventions.

5) Recent significant African progress in HDI-esque index (including GDP) seen in Angola, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Malawi, Lesotho, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique.  Continued progress in Brazil/India/China; and the Asian tigers (Singapore, Taiwan, HongKong, South Korea) have recovered the late 1990s slump to a repeat of rapid growth

Ethical labelling and CSR

ODI have written a critical piece which includes a review of the Fairtrade and Rainforest Concern labels - includes some consideration about the challenges a plethora of labelling poses by time-poor consumers
Is a gap in the market for a 'good for development' label?

Interesting look at CSR from McDonalds' point of view - the McLibel campaigners' commentary from the 1980s/1990s.  Clearcutting and union-busting seems less common these days.
McDonald's detailed global CSR site

Another interesting take from the tobacco giant - even the CSR pages seem grey and rather sickly
British American Tobacco CSR pages

Economics simply explained

A compelling but simple description of how economies function

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFxvy9XyUtg

FDI, Remittances, ODA and philanthropy compared

Annual Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to developing countries - $703 billion (2012) http://unctad.org/en/pages/PressRelease.aspx?OriginalVersionID=143

Annual Development remittances estimate - $190bn-$370bn formal, perhaps double that including informal
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/0,,contentMDK:21924020~pagePK:5105988~piPK:360975~theSitePK:214971,00.html
http://www.intrac.org/data/files/resources/747/Briefing-Paper-31-Understanding-private-donors-in-international-development.pdf

Annual ODA aid spending estimate - c. $150bn (other estimates ~$120bn)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_governments_by_development_aid
http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/DT.ODA.ALLD.CD

Annual individual giving to development - $56bn
http://www.intrac.org/data/files/resources/747/Briefing-Paper-31-Understanding-private-donors-in-international-development.pdf

Annual Philanthropy from foundations to development estimate - $5bn
https://www.devex.com/en/news/top-10-philanthropic-foundations-what-you-need-to/75508