Currently, international development is experiencing massive changes: Development politics and development cooperation are fundamentally questioned, not only by the US government. Where is development politics headed today? Will and should it continue to exist? What kind of developement are we fighting for?
We will be discussing these and further landmark questions, based on the 16th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) “Peace, justice and stable institutions”, at this year's Development Conference. As the penultimate goal, the 16th SDG brings together more dimensions than any other of the 17 SDGs formulated by the United Nations. On first sight these dimensions might not fit together well, however if you look closely, they build the foundation of the entire SDG architecture: None of the SDGs can be achieved without inclusive, effective, and accountable institutions! Many goals are obsolete or undermined without peace, while their fulfilment would bring about great progress for justice.
VIDC & WIDE Workshop: Feminist decolonial solidarity in development cooperation and international cooperation
International development cooperation has produced many successful projects. Nevertheless, neo-colonial and paternalistic structures continue to exist – for example, through funding requirements – which reinforce power inequalities.
Feminist and decolonial approaches therefore call for structural reforms: How can transnational solidarity overcome dependencies? What changes will enable equal participation of the Global South in decision-making? And how can existing achievements be combined with the necessary transformation?
Contributors
Radwa Khaled-Ibrahim (medico international)
with short input on Gender-Fokus in the Austrian Development Cooperation by Janine Wurzer (WIDE)
Moderation: Mara Elena Zöller (Brot für die Welt / WIDE)
VIDC Workshop: Illicit Financial Flows
Illegal financial flows resulting from tax evasion and criminal activities (such as arms or drug smuggling) exacerbate insecurity and reduce government revenues. According to the African Union, Africa loses around 89 billion USD annually as a result. According to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, almost 11 billion USD in IFFs flowed out of Southeast European countries in 2024 alone. What can be done?
Contributors
Melissa Tullis (UNODC), online
Luckystar Miyandazi (African Union), online
Anesa Agovic (Global Initiative, BiH)
Moderation: Martina Neuwirth (Global Dialogue, VIDC)