KIDA Talks Online: Interview: Matthew Taylor, UNDP

KIDA TALKS Interview:

Mr. Matthew Taylor, UNDP

Korea debate for a long time has been a largely student activity without external sponsors. KIDA this year, as a part of its expansion initiative, was able to establish a sponsor relationship with United National Development Programme Seoul Policy Centre for Global Development Partnerships. Here is an interview with Mr. Matthew Taylor, Communication Officer at the Centre.

Q: What is the objective of UNDP activities in Korea?

The UNDP Seoul Policy Centre works as a bridge, linking policy makers in the developing world, especially middle-income countries, to Korea’s development experience to help them take decisions at home. We also help build partnership with Korea and work on major global development issues such as reframing development after the Millennium Development Goals expire in 2015 and the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation that was agreed in Busan last year. We began our work in January 2011.

The beautiful thing about Korea is that many of the key people who made the big decisions on the policies that made the country what it is today are still here. A big part of our work is getting that wisdom and passing it on to those that need it in the developing world.

Seoul Policy Centre at a Glance

So, how do we do it?

Well, we answer queries from developing countries on aspects of Korea’s development connect them to Korean partners and relevant knowledge. Ethiopia, for example, is very interested in Korea’s experience in developing industrial parks and policy creation for industrialization.

To support the big development debates, we organize conferences to explore aspects of global issues with Korean partners. We also organize study tours and training for policy makers interested in aspects of Korea’s development, and policy debates, based on research, between developing country participants and Korean partners.

In June this year with the Korea Development Institute the Centre also recently brought experts from a range of Asian nations to Seoul to reflect on the Asian perspectives on the structure and scope of the new global development architecture that will follow the Millennium Development Goals, which expire in 2015.

In November this year, also with the Korean Development Institute, we will host an international policy dialogue on integrating social protection into growth strategies to help countries build resilience to shocks.

Q: Are there any UNDP activities that Korean students may find interesting?

Sure. Our Director often gives lectures on key development areas at Universities in Korea, as do visiting senior officials from UNDP HQ in New York and other locations. Keep up to date with our lecture plans on our Facebook page and Twitter feed.

We also support the annual Model United Nations of Seoul Summit and of course now KIDA!

Later this year we’re also planning on running a major international event for students.

‘North East Asian youth perspectives on the post-2015 development agenda’ will bring together 40 students from Korea, Japan, China and Mongolia to Seoul for three days. The event will ensure students from the region are heard and included as the world reframes development for another generation.

At the event, participants will produce a declaration on the world they want to live in after the Millennium Development Goals expire in 2015. The declaration will be used in the global consultation process (facilitated by UNDP) that is helping make recommendations the High Level Panel for on post-2015 that was appointed by the UN Secretary General. The High Level Panel will consolidate and recommend a global development framework that should follow on from the MDGs.

We are still clarifying the exact details on this and will post more information on Facebook, Twitter and our website soon.

Q: What is your general impression or interpretation of 'debate'?

I work in communications, and there’s nothing I love more than reading or attempting to craft a good speech or opinion piece. In essence, these should be the same as a team taking part in a debate; a structured and finely sculpted set of points to support an overarching argument, an argument that is presented in such a way as to ensure an audience is persuaded by it.

Debating includes the excellent traditions or fine, clear oratory. Put simply; speaking loudly, clearly and speaking persuasively. It also requires honesty, courtesy and respect – and definitely don’t forget good preparation!

I often watch or listen to debates and Prime Ministers Questions in the British Parliament. The structure of the system, the way the arguments are presented and the general buzz are all interesting and fun, and the tradition of fine oratory there helps define the place.

But debate is about much more than the art of persuasion, it’s about expanding people’s knowledge and boosting their communication skills. Debating tough topics also helps people define and discover who they really are. In this sense, debate empowers people by helping them develop their opinions on issues that matter, including the big and controversial political topics of the day.

Great oratory is one thing, but a good debate should also lead to action by providing a set of practical recommendations.

Overall, debate can help young people prepare themselves to safely steer the country when their own time comes.

Q: Was there a particular reason why you chose KIDA as a partner organization?

As UNDP, we help raise awareness among young people inside and outside of Korea of the global development challenges we all face both today and tomorrow, also on the good work that Korea does to help meet these challenges. Through supporting KIDA’s events, we can help ensure that these bright young minds focus on the key development challenges of today and tomorrow.

Like KIDA, we encourage open and constructive dialogue on the key development challenges that affect our world of 7 billion, and especially young people, who will lead the implementation of today’s big development decisions and take the big decisions themselves in the future.

KIDA has a track record of coordinating solid national debating events involving a range of university debating teams from all around the country. As the facilitator for the national university debating championships and with its Council members being drawn from all its university participants, the reach it enjoys can really help us engage with many bright young minds.