PhD Researcher Elsy Milan appointed to new international development commission

Elsy Milan, a PhD researcher of Imperial College London’s Centre for Environmental Policy (CEP) has been appointed as a Commissioner on the newly established South-North Commission on Development (SNCD), which will develop proposals to strengthen international cooperation between the Global North and Global South.

The Commission is co-chaired by former President of Costa Rica Laura Chinchilla and former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. It brings together leaders and experts from international organisations, governments, academia, business and civil society to develop bold, actionable proposals for international cooperation in an increasingly multipolar world.

Its work will explore new approaches to development cooperation, contributions to the post-2030 global development agenda, and the future direction of development policy.

Connecting environmental policy research with global decision-making

Through her appointment, Elsy will bring perspectives from environmental policy, climate diplomacy and international negotiations to the Commission’s work.

The appointment also presents an opportunity to connect research and expertise from across CEP with an influential international policy process. Elsy hopes to work with colleagues across the Centre to identify evidence and ideas that could inform the Commission’s discussions and recommendations.

She highlighted the importance of collaboration across CEP, particularly in areas including sustainable development, energy transitions, international cooperation, development finance, inequality and governance, and the relationship between the Global North and Global South.

The Commission will develop its agenda collectively, drawing on regional and global consultations and engagement with research institutions and think tanks across both the Global North and Global South.

Elsy credited her supervisor, Dr Gbemi Oluleye, with providing key guidance in developing the workstream that attracted the attention of the Commission’s co-chairs.

Her appointment offers an opportunity to bring Imperial’s research and expertise into wider discussions about the future of international development and how cooperation can respond to global challenges.