Maghreb Edition

Podcast: Development Without Aid: Power, Politics, and Local Resilience in the Global SouthF

Posted On 27 February 2026

Number of times this article was read : 368

A conversation with Dr. Kate Schecter, President and CEO of World Neighbors, on how community-led development works in practice across the Global South. We discuss development without aid distribution, U.S. funding cutbacks, the growing role of China and Russia, operating in fragile and conflict-affected regions like the Sahel, and why local capacity, training, and savings cooperatives matter more than short-term assistance. Hosted by Arezki Daoud of The North Africa Journal.

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Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.