Devex Pro Insider: Pro Week is here, and the most British protest arrest ever

Tomorrow is the start of our annual Pro Week — five days packed with fresh ideas, smart conversations, and a little something for everyone who cares about the future of aid and development. Think of it as a mix of daily stories, special events, and deep-dive reports, all designed to help make sense of where the sector is headed. And it’s only for Pro readers. We’ll kick off with a focus on philanthropy, where Lauren Evans takes a close look at the rise of the philanthropic adviser, while Jenny Lei Ravelo digs into the thorny debate around organizations sunsetting. We’re also hosting a session on best practices in philanthropy, with WINGS and other experts joining David Ainsworth to share what’s working — and what’s not. Multilateral development banks get their moment too, with Jesse Chase-Lubitz explaining the growing influence of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank — which turns 10 years old — and Adva Saldinger unpacking how the World Bank’s reforms are really going. We’ll also be publishing a comprehensive MDB report to tie the threads together. From there, we turn to donors. Jessica Abrahams asks the big question — “Is this the end of official development assistance?” — while Ayenat Mersie takes on the role of emerging donors and the baggage they carry. That conversation will continue in an event hosted by David, looking at bold ideas for reform, from pooled funds to remittances. The United Nations will also be in the spotlight, with Colum Lynch reporting on China’s expanding power inside the institution and offering a clear explainer on the UN80 reform agenda. And of course, INGOs aren’t left out. Elissa Miolene asks where they go next and will lead a conversation on their future. A detailed report on INGOs will round out the coverage. It’s going to be a busy, energizing week — roughly two new stories each day, three major events, and two in-depth reports. Mark your calendars, keep an eye out for your favorites, and get ready to dive in. Also in today’s edition: Aid cuts and U.S. tariffs prove to be a double whammy for the global south; diplomats try their hand at humor, with varying results; and somber reflections on the attacks on public service. Bits and pieces New perspectives. Big changes at the U.N.’s Central Emergency Response Fund: Secretary-General António Guterres has named 12 new members to its advisory group. Since 2006, CERF has delivered over $9.2 billion in lifesaving aid, and this year alone it’s already channeled $214 million to 24 countries — from helping Afghans facing drought to boosting climate resilience in Guatemala. “With humanitarian needs outpacing available resources, CERF is more crucial than ever,” said Tom Fletcher, undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, who thanked outgoing advisers and welcomed the fresh energy and ideas the new group will bring. Global ripple effects. United States and European Union aid cuts, paired with higher U.S. tariffs, are sending fresh tremors through the global economy. According to a report by ODI Global, aid is expected to shrink by $81.3 billion between 2025 and 2029, while U.S. tariffs could shave 1% off global gross domestic product — about $1.2 trillion. The burden will fall hardest on low- and middle-income countries, with fragile states such as Burundi, South Sudan, and Lebanon among the most vulnerable. In some cases, such as Micronesia, Somalia, and Ukraine, aid losses could equal up to 39% of GDP. On trade, countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, and Nicaragua risk steep export declines, with Vietnam alone potentially losing the equivalent of 4.5% of its GDP. The human cost will be stark: Women and children are expected to bear the brunt of aid cuts, while high tariffs threaten jobs in female-dominated sectors such as garments. But there’s still room for action. Finance ministries can build buffers with debt reprofiling and concessional loans, while central banks prepare to ease monetary pressures. At the same time, securing new trade deals, diversifying production, and strengthening supply chains could help countries weather the storm and reduce dependence on aid and a handful of major trading partners. Flags and funnies. Can diplomats crack a good joke? Judge for yourself. With the Edinburgh Fringe’s funniest joke award on pause this year, embassies in the United Kingdom stepped in with their own national gags — and The Times took note. 🇫🇮 Jukka Siukosaari, Finland’s ambassador to Britain, quipped: “How does one spot an extroverted Finn? … In conversation he stares at your shoes and not his own.” The Czech Republic’s Embassy went with drinking humor: “Do you know the three most common lies of Czech men? … We’re just going for one beer; I’ll just finish this glass and then go; and starting tomorrow, I’m not drinking any more.” Switzerland leaned into wordplay: “What’s the best thing about living in Switzerland? … Well, the flag is a big plus.” Austria followed with flag banter too: “Why is our flag red-white-red? … So that we won’t accidentally hang it upside down.” Estonia played on stereotypes of blunt literalism with a hitchhiking joke, while Peter Susko, Slovakia’s ambassador to the U.K., teased: “What do Slovaks do when they finally beat England at football? … They turn off the PlayStation and go to sleep.” And Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, Brazil’s ambassador to the U.K., kept it topical: “In Brazil, we have two seasons: summer … and elections.” Comedy of errors. What started as a protest arrest in the U.K.’s Parliament Square quickly turned into a farce. For international readers to understand exactly how, let’s dive swiftly into U.K. popular culture. Brits growing up in the 1980s played with a kind of modeling clay called Plasticine, and watched a TV show called “Morph,” featuring an animated character made out of the stuff. Back to the protest: Brighton engineer Miles Pickering was hauled in after police mistook his “Plasticine Action” T-shirt — featuring Morph giving two thumbs up — for support of the banned protest group Palestine Action. “I’m like: ‘Well, there you go, Plasticine Action.’ He looked down and he said: ‘Right, you’re nicked.’ And I thought: ‘Oh, here we go,’” Pickering told The Guardian. Minutes later, he was de-arrested, with the officer admitting, “It’s going to be really embarrassing for me.” Pickering is now selling the shirts to raise money for Medical Aid for Palestinians. “If 1,000 people wander around the Palestinian march wearing a T-shirt that says ‘Plasticine Action’ with a picture of Morph, what are they going to do?” In defense of duty. After decades as a career diplomat walking the halls of the State Department, with consequential stints as director of the CIA and deputy secretary of state, William J. Burns wrote a more than 2,000-word open letter published in The Atlantic, saying it was “heartbreaking to see so many of you crossing that same lobby in tears following the reduction in force in July, carrying cardboard boxes with family photos and the everyday remains of proud careers in public service.” “This is not about reform. It is about retribution,” he warned, arguing that public servants have been caught in “a war on public service and expertise.” He recalled serving six presidents and stressed that career officials “swore an oath — not to a party or a president, but to the Constitution. To the people of the United States.” His message is clear: America risks hollowing out its institutions at the very moment it needs them most. But he closes with hope, reminding colleagues of his father’s words that “nothing can make you prouder than to serve your country with honor.” "I know that you will continue to serve in different ways, helping to stand watch over our great experiment, even as too many of our elected leaders seem to be turning their backs on it,” he concluded. In memoriam Fallen in service. On World Humanitarian Day, Aug. 19, the International Federation of the Red Cross mourned the loss of a staff member. IFRC said it is “deeply saddened by the tragic death” of Ato Honelegn Fentahun, and “stands in solidarity with the Ethiopian Red Cross (ERCS) during this difficult time.” Fentahun was abducted with two colleagues in Amhara while returning from delivering an ambulance. Though released, he needed urgent care and died soon after reaching hospital. Since the start of 2025, 18 Red Cross and Red Crescent staff members and volunteers worldwide have lost their lives serving others. The movement condemned such attacks and urged all parties to respect humanitarian law and protect workers who risk everything to help those in need. Loss on duty. Project HOPE is mourning the loss of Dr. Olga Yakovlieva, a family physician and acting director of the Kostiantynivka Primary Health Care Center in Ukraine, who was killed when a marked medical vehicle was struck by a Russian drone on Aug. 8. Three colleagues were also injured. “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Dr. Olga Yakovlieva, yet another Ukrainian health worker killed in the line of duty by Russia,” said Rabih Torbay, Project HOPE’s CEO and president, urging U.S. President Donald Trump to condemn Russia’s attacks on health care. The tragedy comes less than a month after a similar strike on a Project HOPE-supported ambulance in Kharkiv, underscoring the daily risks faced by frontline health workers. Moving on After nearly five years, Matthew Grollnek is leaving the Mastercard Foundation. On LinkedIn, he wrote: “I am so grateful for the time I’ve spent working with wonderful colleagues and world-changing partners.” He called it “a dream come true to explore the future of work in Africa” and highlighted leading the artificial intelligence working group and supporting African universities to integrate AI into higher education. “Moving forward, my mission remains the same: supporting Africa and the developing world transition into an AI-driven world,” Grollnek said, adding he’ll now continue as an independent consultant while making more time for his family. Ambassador Erin E. McKee, former USAID assistant administrator for Europe and Eurasia, is stepping in as CEO of Nova Ukraine. A veteran diplomat and development leader, McKee helped manage the largest humanitarian response in USAID’s history — over $30 billion in support for Ukraine and the region — and now brings that expertise to one of the leading Ukrainian-American nonprofits. "I am deeply honored to join the extraordinary Nova Ukraine family at this pivotal moment," said McKee. "Nova Ukraine represents a rare combination of grassroots passion and professional excellence that can bridge emergency response with sustainable empowerment." Board chair Mikola Bilogorskiy called her “the ideal leader to guide our next chapter as CEO.” With McKee at the helm, Nova Ukraine will focus on four pillars: heal, build, empower, and advocate — shifting from emergency relief toward long-term recovery and development. After 18 years with FHI 360 — a health and human development nonprofit working in more than 60 countries — Otto Nzapfurundi Chabikuli said he’s stepping into a new chapter, one rooted in African solidarity. In a LinkedIn post, the adjunct associate professor of global health at Howard University said: “The sudden reduction in foreign aid has left many seasoned professionals on the sidelines while local NGOs face a future characterized by cutthroat competition with depleted resources and capacity. But in this crisis, several colleagues and I (the First Responders) see an opportunity to mobilize our collective expertise and stand with those who have always stood for our communities.” At a time when many countries are slashing aid, Norway is doubling down. Gunn Jorid Roset is stepping in as the new director-general of Norad, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, stressing that every krone counts more than ever. “Aid is first and foremost about fighting poverty and ensuring sustainable development. It is an investment in our shared welfare,” Roset said, adding that prosperity and stability abroad also strengthen Norwegian interests. With 27 years at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — including posts in Latvia, South Africa, and as Norway’s ambassador to Malaysia — Roset said she’s ready to lead Norad “into the future and continuing our close cooperation with civil society, multilateral organisations, the private sector, and Norad’s owners.” Jobs of the week Your Devex Pro membership includes access to the world’s largest global development job board. Here’s the latest opportunity: • Kenya Country Director, CARE. Search for more opportunities now.