Ranjit Nayak

Nayak’s contribution to the existence of Kosovo as a sustainable state has been substantial. He has led a series of measures to ensure that peace was sustainable in the fragile Balkan environment, e.g., membership of Kosovo in international bodies, focus on accelerated economic development, strengthening weak institutions, harnessing of global knowledge to local problems, and special focus on certain sectors deserving urgency such as crumbling infrastructure particularly transport, development of natural resources that led to sustainable mining practices, efficient energy production, etc. The most critical of his contribution has been the raising of $1.5 billion in donor funds with the help of various donor agencies towards Kosovo’s first budget as an independent state. [35][36]

Beyond Kosovo, Nayak has worked on addressing issues surrounding poverty in South Eastern Europe along with DFID, IMF and the Hellenic Fund; and at - a local or municipal level – such as remote parts of the Balkan States. The aim has been to integrate “macro” and “micro” - economic and social policies.[37]http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTECAREGTOPPOVRED/Resources/ParticipantsFinal.pdf[38] [39]

Nayak has been an advocate for a healthier and sustainable environment; one that relies on regenerating greener ecosystems and promoting green and renewable energy.[40] [41] [42]

Nayak has stood up against the widespread corruption in government institutions that keeps citizens in poverty and deprives them of a government that is meant for their wellbeing. In an investigative report in Foreign Policy, Nayak is alleged to have positioned himself against the interests of a corrupt government as the World Bank Representative. The alleged corruption was on a major European highway, and indicates the absence of a commitment to good governance by the Government and the private construction companies that were involved in the project.[43]

Nayak has been recognised for his contribution to knowledge and innovation. He has received citations for his contribution. In one of his public speeches on education, he argues that education policies should promote overall learning for young learners that goes beyond classroom-based learning – that integrates with learning from peers, family, community, a variety of institutions, and the social space within which one lives.[44] [45] http://epaper.prameyanews.com/Details.aspx?id=11119&boxid=5536250. Nayak has led research on guiding South European countries to improving the environment for fostering cutting edge innovations. A World Bank paper published in 2011 on Regional Research and Design Strategy for Innovation in the Western Balkan Countries, which Nayak has guided, identifies key issues and implication of technical assistance.[46]

Nayak has published in the area of exploitative informal labour, particularly on harmful child labour, for the International Finance Corporation. Nayak discusses the implication of such labour in the private sector and how private companies can go about detecting it in the supply chain and addressing it towards sound labour practices. This has been considered as good practice for private firms.[47] [48]

Nayak has researched and published on refugees and displaced populations and ecological habitats. His proposition is that the forced dislocation of human, animal and plant ecosystems due to the execution and establishment of large infrastructure projects cannot easily offset: the loss of livelihoods, destruction of living ecosystems, and adverse mental and physical traumas. Hence, these projects must be thought out from all dimensions including ethical ones.[49],[50][51]

During his tenure in South Eastern Europe, Nayak has campaigned for the inclusion of minorities of all types – economic, social, ethnic, religious, linguistic, and gender, in development projects. An example of his initiative was with the Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo in 2011, when he found an innovative way of working against the discrimination of minority Serb communities by the majority Albanian communities by incentivising micro-development programs that enabled both communities to work together for shared financial and economic gains. In the long run this has fostered peace that has been sustainable.[52][53][54] Nayak is an advocate for the inclusion of economically, socially and politically disadvantaged minorities in the broader development and welfare schemes. He is the co-author of a report on the Roma in Bulgaria entitled “Gender Dimensions of Roma Inclusion” that serves to guide national policy on social inclusion in Bulgaria. The study reveals the complex relationship between minorities and majorities within the European Union, and how the understanding the internal worlds of minorities and discriminated groups is a first step towards effective policies and programmes.[55] Nayak has striven for diversity in the institutions that he has led or served. He is the recipient of the World Bank’s Corporate Diversity and Inclusion Award in 2006 after he led the recruitment of the Bank’s most diverse Young Professionals ever in its history. Nayak has a history of searching for talent globally. Here is an example of his work in Sydney, Australia.[56]

Nayak is an exponent for a value-oriented global arrangement that focuses on economic growth, quality of life, and environmental sustainability, while incorporating values that underline morality, ethical economics and adverse climate mitigation. His position is captured in an invited talk on “The Economy of Tomorrow” organised by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and the National Institute of Social Work and Social Sciences in India.[57]. Nayak argues that the sharing of good, ethical, moral and humane values should be an intrinsic part of our socialisation and learning across formal and informal institutions. This would help us shape a better human future.[58] [59][60]