Take or Give is starting a new mini-series called ‘Country Myths’, where we will debunk the most common falsehoods we encounter in foreign aid and international development about specific countries, primarily across the Global South. We begin with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
And we are delighted to welcome our first guest in this new mini series: Arlette Nyembo, a Congolese consultant working in the international development sector and expert in governance related issues with a focus on private sector development, public financial management, education and health, both in the DRC and in other countries across the Global South.
In this episode, Arlette identifies and systematically busts the myths she encounters most often in her work and life, telling a far more nuanced story than the one we hear about in the news, which seems to focus exclusively on conflict and more recently Ebola. She eloquently explains why myths and the way a country like the DRC is perceived can be extremely harmful to its people, before taking us through her own experiences of how these myths play out in the foreign aid and international development sector.
You will leave this episode with a much more nuanced and compelling story of the DRC to share with everyone you know - and almost certainly a desire to download Congolese Rumba music.
This podcast is brought to you by Lorriann Robinson, founder and director of The Advocacy Team, and Alex Martins, founder of VersaVoice Creations.
Get in touch via Instagram @TakeorGivePod or by email at takeorgivepod@theadvocacyteam.co.uk.
Recommended resources
Congolese musicians to follow:
Franco Luambo
Rochereau Tabu Ley
Mbilia Belle
Papa Wemba
Koffi Olomidé
Fally Ipupa
All very good for Congolese Rumba and more recent rhythms.
Books and a report that Arlette recommends:
Congo: The Epic History of a People by David Van Reybrouck (comprehensive and well-written).
King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild (particularly good for looking back into the colonial period).
Congo Masquerade by Theodore Trefon (a more academic but good and very well written book to understand the intricacies of the governance issues, including the manipulations of donors, amongst other issues).
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Country Climate and Development Report 2023, by the World Bank
