Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens – Columbia University

Dr. Rajiv Shah, the Rockefeller Foundation president who previously served as administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), visited SIPA October 10 to talk about his newly published book, Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens. The book draws upon Shah’s extensive experience in international development and philanthropy, proposing significant and impactful strategies for addressing global challenges and making a positive difference.

Shah, who is also a medical doctor, speaks from experience: Over the course of his career, he helped orchestrate humanitarian missions in Haiti and Afghanistan, and played pivotal roles in containing an Ebola epidemic in west Africa, responding to an earthquake in Haiti, and more.

The event was sponsored by SIPA’s Institute of Global Politics (IGP), and featured the author in conversation with Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo. But it began with an introduction by Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, who as secretary of state worked closely with Shah when he led USAID. Clinton talked about Shah’s unshakeable faith in the idea that the realm of possibilities is boundless, and suggested that approaching challenges with the right mindset helped him translate his aspirations into tangible achievements.

“Big bets are exactly what you think they are. They are efforts to actually solve [problems] and not just make piecemeal improvements.”

— Dr. Rajiv Shah

In his discussion with Yarhi-Milo, Shah said that “big bets are exactly what you think they are. They are efforts to actually solve [problems] and not just make piecemeal improvements…. When this country has been at its best and when this community, and those of you studying in this field, have been at your best is when you have actually tried to solve problems at scale.”

To underscore this major point about solving problems at scale, Shah described how during the Ebola outbreak in 2014 President Obama made a “big bet” by deploying military personnel to West Africa to create a safe environment for humanitarian aid. That move set his administration apart from other organizations that were dealing with significant challenges in combating the epidemic. He also discussed the delicate balance in that case between honoring the cultural traditions of respecting the deceased while simultaneously providing appropriate protections and support to the responders and affected communities.

In his discussion of policy challenges, Shah emphasized the significance of in-person diplomacy, whether it pertains to interactions with members of congress, foreign ministries, or local groups. “Thinking through the politics of who you’re dealing with and tackling that is really important,” he said.

As an example of this Shah cited the case of Power Africa, which was launched during President Obama’s second term with the goal of providing low-cost, mostly renewable electrification. The underlying concept was to demonstrate that emerging powers could collaborate for global development. The project faced political obstacles at home and opposition from the then president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Although progress was made with the DRC’s prime minister, who was seen as transparent and trustworthy, the country’s president later demanded exclusive control over the project, leading to its demise.

Shah also talked about his current position leading the Rockefeller Foundation and the organization’s role in addressing global health, poverty, and climate change challenges. “Always be optimistic,” he said. “You have to be the people who are dreaming big and maintaining these bold aspirations of change, even in day-to-day life.”

During the Q&A session that followed, Shah described how he handles opposition on various issues. He emphasized that it’s not necessary to convince everyone, especially on complex and diverse topics like climate change. Instead, he highlighted the importance of acknowledging differences while actively seeking common ground as a way to make progress.

Shah also provided examples of collaborating with individuals who are dedicated to positive change and emphasized the importance of maintaining effective communication, even in the face of criticism. As one example, Shah cited instances of the roundtable discussions with local women’s groups that Secretary Clinton took part in during her extensive travels. They were, he said, a way to inspire positive change and generate enthusiasm.

Watch the complete event: