Shayne MacLachlan - (OECD), Author at COGITO

COGITO Talks… Click, Vote, Grow: How India is “rural proofing” its future

03 February 2026 Shahid Iqbal Choudhary - (Indian Government) and Shayne MacLachlan - (OECD)

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

30 October 2025 Shayne MacLachlan - (OECD) and Joni Rakipi - (ETH Zürich)

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.

The politics of the paddock: what Clarkson’s Farm can teach us about agriculture and rural resilience

04 July 2025 Shayne MacLachlan - (OECD) and Bridget Donovan - (OECD)

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

10 March 2025 Shayne MacLachlan - (OECD), Betty-Ann Bryce - (OECD) and Max Jablonowski - (OECD)

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?

10 June 2022 Ekaterina Travkina - (OECD) and Shayne MacLachlan - (OECD)

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.

Is culture really good for you? Impacts on well-being

03 June 2022 Nina Trouvé - (OECD) and Shayne MacLachlan - (OECD)

Reading Time: 4 minutesThe Covid-19 pandemic created a new normal of consuming culture from the couch. Policy makers must take advantage of the great re-opening to expand participation and create equitable access to culture. Where do they start to improve well-being?