Post by Zihang Peng

Last Thursday, I had the great pleasure of attending the screening of #MadeinEthiopia. Made in Ethiopia is, without doubt, one of the most moving and insightful documentaries I’ve seen in the past years. I was deeply struck by its portrayal of the trilemma between how a nation can be developed, how a company can balance between its profitability and its contributions to society, and how people can manage their livelihoods. As Directors Max Duncan and Xinyan Yu noted, I humbly paraphrased, countries like Ethiopia today, much like China in the past (and even now), as well as many other developing nations, are all undergoing transformative developmental shifts. The transition from a primary-agricultural sector-dominated to a secondary-manufacturing sector-centered economy inevitably involves growing pains. What I found most compelling, however, is that the film doesn’t merely ask “how to develop better,” but rather challenges us to consider “how to develop in a better way.” This nuanced question should remain central for researchers and policymakers working on development strategies worldwide — as it reminds us that sustainable progress is not only about outcomes, but also about the paths we choose to get there. Last but not least, many thanks to the great organizations that made this event possible: Boston University African Studies Center, Center for the Study of Asia, BU Libraries, and Boston University Global Development Policy Center. My sincere thanks to Professor Kevin P Gallagher for hosting the event, and to the two wonderful directors, Xinyan Yu and Max Duncan, for producing such a powerful and thought-provoking documentary! #MadeInEthiopia #DevelopmentStudies #GlobalPolicy #Documentary #EconomicDevelopment #Africa #China #SustainableDevelopment #PolicyResearch