The Democracy That Delivers podcast is about democratic and economic development and the intersection between the two. Through their personal stories, guests share how their work is helping build stronger democratic institutions in countries all over the world and how they are tackling some of the major governance challenges that many countries face today. The weekly discussion covers a wide range of topics including entrepreneurship, governance, rule of law, and the role of the private sector in democratic processes.
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April 22, 2026Episode 42227 min
422 - Anti-corruption Windows of Opportunity
Moments of political change don't last long — and whether they lead to reform depends on who is ready to act. In this episode of Democracy That Delivers, CIPE's Michele Crymes speaks with Cheri-Leigh Erasmus of Accountability Lab about how civil society can seize democratic windows of opportunity. They explore why trust, coordination, and preparedness matter more than speed, how funding constraints limit response capacity, and why private sector partnerships are critical to sustainable reform. The takeaway is clear: meaningful democratic progress requires relationships built before the moment arrives — and collaboration across sectors is no longer optional.
February 18, 2026Episode 42129 min
421 Australian Perspectives on Southeast Asia and the Pacific with Bill Costello
With Australian Foreign Minister Wong explaining that Australia and China "are in a state of permanent contest in the Pacific" what are Australia's priorities in the Pacific, as well as in Southeast Asia? How does Australia engage in creative diplomacy, and how can the United States and Australia reinforce each other's efforts in supporting market-oriented democracy in this critical region? CIPE's John Morrell is joined by Bill Costello for a conversation about Australia's perspectives on ASEAN and the Pacific. Bill is Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia Development and Programs with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He was previously Australia's Ambassador to Timor-Leste.
December 10, 2025Episode 42031 min
420 - Pacific Pivot with Andrew Harding
As the emerging democracies of the Pacific Islands grapple with development challenges and geopolitics, the region is attracting greater attention from around the world. CIPE's John Morrell speaks with Andrew J. Harding of the Heritage Foundation about his recent article The Pacific Pivot: An American Strategy for the Pacific Islands, which is Heritage's first-ever report outlining a long-term U.S. engagement strategy for the Pacific Islands to support U.S. interests. As part of a special podcast series on Business and Politics in Today's Pacific Islands, Andrew discusses a comprehensive approach to U.S. Pacific policy, and he lays out how to build sustained bipartisan support for increased engagement with Pacific Island Countries.
October 22, 2025Episode 41942 min
419 - Chinese Spending and Lending in the Pacific: What Does it Mean?
As part of a special podcast series on Business and Politics in Today's Pacific Islands, CIPE's John Morrell discusses China's growing presence in the Pacific with Paul Barker, Executive Director of the Institute for National Affairs (INA) in Papua New Guinea. INA is the leading independent policy think tank in PNG, and is among the most influential thought leaders in the Pacific region. Paul discusses political developments in PNG, the role of China in political debates in the country and across the Pacific, and the impact of China's influence in Pacific Island Countries. Listeners will hear the perspectives of Pacific people on these geopolitical dynamics.
August 11, 2025Episode 41833 min
418 - Business and Politics in Samoa with Sam Saili
As Samoa prepares for a historic election this August, and as the country's economy emerges from the pandemic, CIPE's John Morrell sits down with Sam Saili, President of the Samoan Chamber of Commerce and CEO of SkyEye Pacific, a technology company providing innovative solutions for the Pacific. Sam discusses the state of the Samoan economy and business climate, the work of the Chamber, and he walks listeners through the upcoming election. Listeners will learn what to expect, how to interpret the respective campaigns, the role of the business community in Samoan politics, and what the election results might portend. This episode on "Business and Politics in Samoa" is part of a special podcast series on the Pacific.
November 20, 2024Episode 41631 min
416 - Powering Equality Women's Role and Challenges in the Energy Sector
A key driver of the modern increase in global entrepreneurship is the increasing participation of women in sectors that were once inaccessible to them. This Global Entrepreneurship Week, CIPE's Elena Ratoi sits down with Arijeta Pajaziti Qerimi, a trailblazer for women in Kosovo's energy sector. Together, they discuss how Arijeta's recent partnership with CIPE's Center for Women's Economic Empowerment is strengthening women's participation in Kosovo's traditionally male-dominated energy sector. Listeners will learn how new technology is decreasing labor-intensive roles, how young women are meeting older role models, and how more women-centered events are decreasing knowledge gaps. Guest Bio Arijeta Pajaziti Qerimi's professional career as an electrical engineer is complemented by her academic profile with a Master of Science degree from the Electrotechnical Faculty, University of Prishtina. In 2021 she has been graduated from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business in Gender Equity Executive Leadership Program. She has been part of the sector for almost 25 years. She currently works as an engineer specialist for SCADA / EMS in the Kosovo Transmission System and Market Operator (KOSTT) and as an executive director of AWESK (Association of Women in the Energy Sector of Kosovo) and contributes and advocate for many years to the advancement of the national agenda for the inclusion of women in energy.
November 13, 2024Episode 41530 min
415 - Sri Lanka Elections: a New Government for Tackling Corruption
Parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka follow the September selection of a new president and are expected to put the country on a new course. What might that look like? Sarrah Sammoon, CIPE's field coordinator in the country, joins Regional Director John Morrell to exchange insights on the economic and political situation in Sri Lanka leading up to the November 14 elections, including the role of the private sector and the Women's Chamber of Commerce under a new government.
October 30, 2024Episode 41437 min
414 - Malawi Next Steps for Trade Facilitation from Local Customs Clearing Specialists
CIPE's own Sousena Tefera, Senior Program Manager with the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, hosts a discussion from Blantyre, Malawi, with key industry professionals McWilliams Mhone, Griffin Kamanga, and Mavuto Zabula. They explore the transformative impact of a new training program for clearing agents, which aims to professionalize the industry and enhance compliance with trade regulations. The guests share their personal journeys into the logistics and freight forwarding sector, the challenges they faced, and the significant benefits they've gained from the training. This episode highlights the importance of education and professional development in improving trade facilitation and economic growth in Malawi.
October 23, 2024Episode 41336 min
413 - ACGC- Revisiting the 20th Anniversary of the Tenth UN Global Compact Principle with Cristina Ritter
In this episode of the Democracy that Delivers podcast, Frank Brown, Director for the Anti-Corruption and Governance Center (ACGC), is joined by Cristina Ritter, Head of Governance and Anti-Corruption at the UN Global Compact (UNGC), in a discussion on the UNGC resolution and how it has served as a vital tool to bring together governments and the private sector in 190 countries to combat global corruption. With over 25,000 participants worldwide, UNGC uses national commitments to its business integrity policies to empower SMEs at the national level to leverage the power of collective action to advance anti-corruption compliance initiatives. Listen in to learn more about how UNGC has collaborated with CIPE over the years and what comes next for the organization. — Cristina Ritter is an attorney-at-law specialized in business administration with a professional career of 20 years in both the United Nations and the private sector. She is currently the Head of Governance and Anti-Corruption at the UN Global Compact. Prior to this position, Ms. Ritter worked for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) since 2014, where she provided technical assistance in various continents on the international standards and tools to address corruption and money laundering, while engaging in international cooperation and asset recovery. Over the years, she was designated Global Coordinator of the Integrity Component of CRIMJUST, a UNODC flagship programme against drug-trafficking, she became responsible for the Americas at the Corruption and Economic Crime Branch (CEB) and served as Regional Anti-Corruption Advisor twice. In this context, she engaged with chambers of commerce, compliance associations, private sector entities and companies in over twenty countries to promote business integrity. She also fostered private-public dialogue, achieving the adoption of multiple policies, legal frameworks and national anti-corruption strategies.
October 16, 2024Episode 41229 min
412 - ACGC - Understanding the International Chamber of Commerce's Anti-Corruption Efforts
Contemporary anti-corruption work has moved on from the old model defined by the public-sector directives and towards a new system of public-private collaboration. Our guest Viviane Schiavi sits at this critical intersection in her work with CIPE's valuable partner, the International Chamber of Commerce. Listen along as she shares first-hand knowledge of the present and future state of anti-corruption work with CIPE's own Frank Brown and Anna Kompanek on this week's Democracy that Delivers. — Viviane Schiavi is the Global Policy Lead, Anti-Corruption and Corporate Responsibility at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). She oversees ICC's program in this area, which is based on the development of capacity building tools for companies and policy advocacy vis-a-vis the UN, the OECD, the G20 and other fora. The ICC Commission on Anti-Corruption and Corporate Responsibility that Viviane manages brings together over 400 companies worldwide engaged on integrity, anti-corruption, and supply chain responsibility. Viviane is an attorney and member of the New York Bar, American of French and Argentine origin, with over 20 years' experience in international commercial law practice and global policy. She is a graduate of Bard College and the City University of New York Law School. Before joining ICC, Viviane practiced international commercial law in New York City and in Paris with Arthur Andersen International (now Accenture).
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