How UNFPA is responding to the call to innovate

For many global development organizations, the allure of innovation — with its potential to radically improve lives at lower cost — is powerful. Bruce Campbell, global coordinator of UNFPA’s Data for Development platform, explains the agency's approach to innovation in this exclusive commentary.

By Bruce Campbell // 24 April 2015

The concept of “innovation” is increasingly embedded in the global development discourse.

Today, as governments around the world craft the sustainable development goals and targets for the post-2015 development agenda, development has much to benefit from the radical disruption and new insight that innovation can offer.

Since the U.N. Population Fund started working in 1969, the number — and rate — of women dying from complications of pregnancy or childbirth have been halved. Families are smaller and healthier. Young people are more connected and empowered than ever before.

The views in this opinion piece do not necessarily reflect Devex's editorial views.

About the author

Bruce Campbell
Bruce Campbell is the global coordinator of UNFPA’s Data for Development platform and sponsor of UNFPA’s innovation initiative. UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.