Reading Time: 7 minutesRecorded live for the first time at the 7th Digital for SMEs (D4SME) Roundtable, this special episode is hosted by Shayne MacLachlan and Alix Philouze.
Shayne MacLachlan - (OECD)
As Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Shayne engages with policy issues concerning SMEs, tourism, culture, regions and cities to name a few. He has worked on a number of OECD campaigns including “Going Digital”, "Climate Action" and "I am the future of work".
COGITO Talks… Fuel, fear and flights: How the tourism sector learned to withstand global shocks
Reading Time: 9 minutesOver the 10 years, global tourism has been reshaped by successive crises, from the collapse of travel during COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the current conflict in the Gulf and the rise of petrol prices. In this episode, Shayne MacLachlan from the OECD, speaks with Sérgio Guerreiro, Chair of the OECD Tourism Committee, about how governments have responded to uncertainty and what resilience means in practice. Together, they explore how tourism policy is evolving to balance growth with sustainability, community impact and long-term stability in an increasingly unpredictable world.
COGITO Talks… Click, Vote, Grow: How India is “rural proofing” its future
Reading Time: 12 minutesIndia’s rural areas are developing at an extraordinary rate, posing both challenges and opportunities to rethink development at a large scale. Recorded live from the OECD Rural Development Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Shayne MacLachlan speaks with Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary to the Government in the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, about how India’s fascinating track-record of rural transformation can offer practical lessons to policymakers everywhere.
COGITO Talks… Youth entrepreneurs uncovered: Joni Rakipi, in his own words
Reading Time: 9 minutesThis episode of OECD podcast features Joni Rakipi from ETH Zürich and is hosted by Shayne MacLachlan from the CFE. Joni, originally from Albania and now based in Zürich, explains deeptech as solving complex problems through scientific breakthroughs, emphasising its long-term impact. He highlights barriers young entrepreneurs face, such as limited access for foreign nationals and regulatory hurdles, advocating for open doors and deregulation to foster innovation.
COGITO TALKS… HOPE OR HYPE: CAN SOCIAL INNOVATION REALLY DELIVER?
Reading Time: < 1 minuteHow can we turn great ideas into lasting social impact? In this episode of the OECD Podcast, Shayne MacLachlan speaks with Jeroen Jutte, Head of the European Social Fund Coordination Unit at the European Commission.
The politics of the paddock: what Clarkson’s Farm can teach us about agriculture and rural resilience
Reading Time: 4 minutesBehind the humour and chaos of Clarkson’s Farm lies a serious story of rural struggle and resilience. This blog explores what it reveals, and what policy makers can learn about diversification, perception, and place-based solutions.
COGITO Talks… Winners without medals: The legacy of volunteers
Reading Time: < 1 minuteVolunteers are the beating heart of any event, from the Olympics to your local school sports day. But beyond the medals and podiums, what impact does volunteering have on individuals, communities, and the broader economy?
Creative Re-construction: a comeback for culture in the COVID-19 recovery?
Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe overall contribution to global gross value added (GVA) of the sector fell by around 21% between 2019-20. However, the impact of the pandemic has been uneven.