10 Break-Out Sessions
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What role should governments play?
Camila Crescimbeni
National Director of Youth Inclusion
Argentina Ministry of Social Development
Translating a country’s economic growth into social and economic development is important. “Therefore, as a government we encourage all types of capital – which generally serve their own interest groups – to generate links where there weren’t any before,” Crescimbeni says. She also believes a government’s decision-making becomes purposeful when it put its capital to work empowering its citizens.
Bogolo Kenewendo
Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry
Republic of Botswana
She calls herself “Diamond Baby” because of Botswana’s natural capital. The country’s government is working to re-invest revenues from diamond, gold and coal mining into its people. “As hard capital depletes, the only thing you are left with is human capital.” About 25% of government revenue is spent on education, and 20% on health. “That is the growth story of Botswana,” Bogolo says.
Roshan Shankar
Adviser
Government of New Delhi
Power – and funding – should be devolved to smaller units of local government, Shankar says. Governments also play a role in developing human capital. “We shouldn’t say we spent 45% of our money in education and health,” he argues. “We should say we invested 45% in education and health.” Energy, air, water, data and mobility are not commodities, he says. Rather, they are public goods.
Saumya Varma
Research Consultant
Indian National Congress
Government should use capital in two ways, Varma says: First, focus on the most urgent problems, such as poverty. Second, governments should play a facilitating role with long-term goals in mind, coordinating the activities of civil society, business and NGOs. For example, she thinks that India’s government should find ways to “use India’s demographic dividend to its full potential.”
Kulani Abendroth-Dias
Behavioral Science Consultant
UN Peacebuilding Secretariat, Sri Lanka
Investing in human capital is a priority. To do so, politicians should focus on reducing brain drain and youth unemployment. Also, Abendroth-Dias thinks it’s important for governments to come up with localised solutions for social problems in agriculture, politics structures, urban planning, and healthcare through partnerships with private sectors and international NGOs such as the United Nations.
