On 1 September, the thirteen participants were warmly welcomed at IDOS by the Institute’s management and staff.
The participants come from different disciplinary backgrounds, such as peace and conflict studies, economics, cultural studies, and political sciences, and have a range of initial work experience in the field of development cooperation.
During the first days, the participants dealt with a variety of topics, including the potential of post-development approaches, the effectiveness of development cooperation and its evaluation, as well as the development work of multilateral organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union. Speakers came from academia and the practical field. IDOS staff and an alumna of the Postgraduate Training Programme provided the scientific framework, while external guests, e.g. from BMZ, the German Institute for Development Evaluation, Welthungerhilfe and Oxfam Germany, provided an insight into practical development cooperation. Thus, already in the first days, a successful combination of theory and practice took place, which provided the participants deep insights into the complex policy field of development cooperation. In addition, the different perspectives stimulated critical reflection and lively discussions, even outside the sessions.
Another highlight was the exchange with the participants of the MGG Academy and joint sessions on the topics „Towards global cooperation? North, South and beyond“ and „Knowledge, cooperation and post/decoloniality“.
The participants are very much looking forward to the upcoming sessions as well as further exchange with IDOS employees and the participants of the MGG Academy!