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Small Islands Big Picture

ODI Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI)

Directors of ODI Global's Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative, Emily Wilkinson and Matt Bishop, cut to the heart of the political, economic, social and environmental challenges facing SIDS, and how their incredible people are responding to them. Every episode includes expert guests from the Caribbean, Pacific and elsewhere. To get in touch, visit https://odi.org/en/about/our-work/resilient-islands/ or send us an email to info@odi.org with "small islands" in the subject line.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  • 20 episodes
  • every few months
  • Avg 49 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • S1 · E16
    May 19, 2025 · 51 min

    Is gang-related violence becoming worse in small islands?

    Gangs are a symptom, not the cause. This episode explores how poverty, exclusion, and militarised policies fuel violence in SIDS and beyond — and why investing in young people, communities, and regional collaboration must be part of the solution.

  • S1 · E8
    May 10, 2024 · 37 min

    Why are so many small states turning to Citizenship by Investment (CBI) schemes?

    Citizenship is traditionally granted by right – on the basis of birthplace or parentage – or acquired through naturalisation – on the basis of sustained residency and allegiance to the state. Yet, many small countries are increasingly “selling sovereignty” through Citizenship by Investment (CBI) or Residence by Investment (RBI) schemes. These “golden passports” and “golden visas” generate sizeable revenues for many small island developing states (SIDS), but they have also come under scrutiny from powerful states and international organisations, especially the European Union. In this episode of Small Islands Big Picture, Emily and Matt explore the proliferation of these schemes, asking, ‘If all states – including the very wealthiest – have them, why do smaller states seem to be under the greatest surveillance?’. They discuss the long-term sustainability of these schemes, where the money they generate is going, examples of good practice, and how the international community can support SIDS to ensure they continue to profit from CBI/RBI schemes while also strengthening their governance. In “Island Voices”, we hear from CEO of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, Tina Urso. In the “Explainer”, Matt and Emily discuss the different kinds of CBI/RBI schemes that exist around the world. Dr Dan Hammett and Dr Owen Parker join “The Big Picture” to discuss why the CBI and RBI industry is booming, and why Brussels is increasingly uneasy about it. Finally, in “No Stupid Questions”, Matt and Emily ask, “If CBI and RBI schemes are so problematic, why does the international community not simply ban them?”. Featuring: Emily Wilkinson (host) | RESI Director and Senior Research Fellow at ODI Matthew Bishop (host) | RESI Director and Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield Tina Urso | CEO, The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, Malta Dan Hammett | Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Sheffield Owen Parker | Senior Lecturer in European Politics, University of Sheffield Resources: Programme page | Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI) Investigative Journalism from Malta | The Daphne Project Dan and Owen's SIDS Future Forum paper | Sovereignty sales, economic revitalisation and inclusive development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Dan Presenting on CBI Schemes | Session 1 (Resilient Economies) at SIDS Future Forum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes