Podcast Summary: "A Fresh Approach to International Development" by Faisal Saeed Al Mutar

Podcast Information:

• Title: TED Talks Daily
• Host/Author: TED
• Episode: A Fresh Approach to International Development | Faisal Saeed Al Mutar
• Release Date: February 19, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of TED Talks Daily, host Elise Hu introduces Faisal Saeed Al Mutar, a specialist in international aid and development. Faisal presents a transformative perspective on international development, challenging traditional models and proposing innovative solutions to enhance the effectiveness of aid.

Speaker Background

[03:10] Faisal Saeed Al Mutar: Faisal begins by sharing his personal background, growing up in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Malaysia. Coming from an academic family, he humorously refers to himself as the "failure" of the family, contrasting his parents' professions—his father a doctor and his mother a lawyer—with his own struggles. This diverse upbringing exposed him to the harsh realities of displacement and the squandered potential of talented individuals forced to abandon their homes.

Critique of Traditional Aid Models

[03:20] Faisal Saeed Al Mutar: Faisal criticizes the current system of international aid, highlighting significant issues:

• Corruption: Excessive middlemen and gatekeepers prevent funds from reaching intended beneficiaries.
• Inefficiency: According to the World Bank, creating one job in international development can cost up to $20,000.
• Poor ROI: Investments often yield minimal returns compared to private sector ventures like Twitter or Theranos, yet still represent substantial financial waste.

Notable Quote:

“The current system of aid is filled with corruption, too many middlemen, too many gatekeepers, and the money hardly makes it to the people that intend to help.”
— Faisal Saeed Al Mutar [03:40]

Opportunity in Talent and Entrepreneurship

[04:10] Faisal Saeed Al Mutar: Despite the challenges, Faisal highlights a silver lining: nearly half of the population in the region aspires to start a business within the next five years. This indicates millions of innovators, entrepreneurs, and creatives whose skills could drive economic growth if properly invested in.

Notable Quote:

“There is a lot of talent that is being wasted if we don't invest in them.”
— Faisal Saeed Al Mutar [04:30]

Redefining the Purpose of Aid

[04:50] Faisal Saeed Al Mutar: Faisal proposes a paradigm shift in aid strategy:

• Purpose Redefinition: Transition from aid as a bureaucratic "do good" endeavor to a tool that removes barriers and facilitates movement towards economic normalcy.
• Economic Focus: Emphasize investments that stimulate economic growth and combat corruption.
• Direct Funding Model: Implement a "one grant per person" approach to minimize favoritism and reduce the influence of political elites.

Notable Quote:

“Aid doesn't have to be costly to be effective.”
— Faisal Saeed Al Mutar [05:30]

Case Studies: Demonstrating Success

[06:00] Faisal Saeed Al Mutar: Faisal shares success stories from his initiatives:

1. Hashem Hakim in Mosul:

   • Background: Founder of Hakim, a company established in a region once controlled by ISIS.
   • Investment: With $3,000, Hashem founded a taxi company employing over 57 people.

2. Hani Hamada in Turkey:

   • Background: A Syrian refugee and self-learner who started a business teaching Turkish to new immigrants.
   • Investment: With $3,000, Hani now employs 33 refugee teachers.

Impact Comparison:

• New Model: $1 million investment leads to the creation of 35,000 jobs.
• Traditional Model: The same investment under traditional aid creates only 50 jobs.

Notable Quote:

“With $1 million, we were able to create 35,000 jobs. Compared to the old model that you can only create 50 jobs. So which investment is better?”
— Faisal Saeed Al Mutar [06:45]

Global Adoption and Future Implications

[07:00] Faisal Saeed Al Mutar: Faisal notes that the innovative aid model he's advocating for is already being adopted in various regions, including Ukraine, parts of India, and Africa. This widespread adoption underscores the model's versatility and effectiveness.

Future Vision: By focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship, Faisal envisions transforming conflict-ridden regions into areas of sustained economic growth and talent retention. His approach aims to shift the narrative from regions being places from which people flee to destinations where people choose to live and invest.

Notable Quote:

“By focusing on the future, by focusing on innovation, entrepreneurship, I believe we can transform the region from a region that's filled with conflict and war to a region that people decide to stay and invest in.”
— Faisal Saeed Al Mutar [07:15]

Conclusion

Faisal Saeed Al Mutar's talk presents a compelling case for reimagining international aid. By addressing systemic inefficiencies and corruption, and by empowering individuals through direct and strategic investments, his approach promises a higher return on investment and fosters sustainable economic development. This fresh perspective not only challenges existing paradigms but also offers hope for regions grappling with conflict and economic stagnation.

Additional Information:

• Production Credits: The episode was produced and edited by Martha Estefanos, Oliver Friedman, Brian Greene, Lucy Little, Alejandra Salazar, and Tansika Sarmarnivon. Mixed by Christopher Faizy Bogan with additional support from Emma Tobner and Daniela Ballarezzo.
• Host: Elise Hu will continue to bring fresh ideas in future episodes.

For More: Discover more about TED's curation at ted.com/curationguidelines.