Workshop nr.: 1
Title: Displacement and its Other Sides
Abstracts and
programme
Rather than reproducing classic, technocratic definitions and approaches
to 'refugees' and various other categories of the displaced, or focusing
primarily on violence, loss and victimisation, this workshop is
concerned with exploring the 'other sides' of displacement - that is,
not only what produces different forms of displacement, but equally what
displacement produces in terms of new social, economic and political
formations and practices. Following from this, it is also concerned with
the consequences of such a re-reading of displacement's complex and 'productive'
landscapes, for development approaches to displacement. In a broad sense,
the workshop will therefore focus on
- the diverse conditions and actors that generate or sustain
displacement;
- the complex ways in which spaces and practices of social,
economic and political life get reshaped by the displaced; and
- alternative pathways for supporting stability, inclusion and
growth in contexts of displacement.
The workshop invites papers from scholars working on different
aspects of displacement internationally, who can contribute both
empirical and theoretical insights and be part of developing innovative
approaches to development within this field.
Organisers:
Amanda Hammar, MSO Professor in African Studies, University of
Copenhagen, aha@teol.ku.dk
Vibeke Andersson, Associate Professor, Global Refugee Studies, Aalborg
University, van@cgs.aau.dk
Workshop nr.: 2
Title: Civil society, NGOs, state and development –
Nordic similarities and controversies
Abstracts and
programme
For the last two decades, civil society and non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) have occupied an increasingly important role in the
international aid architecture. In the Nordic countries, two features
seem peculiar. One is the heterogeneity of the organizational field,
reflecting the different sources of its historical background from early
missionary work to solidarity movement. The other is the unusually close
alliance between the development NGOs and the donor states. The
overwhelming part of the resources used by Nordic NGOs for developmental
purposes abroad originate from the official development assistance
funds.
These trends have been investigated in the body of research on the
subject that has been initiated in Nordic research institutions such as
University of Bergen. The dialogue with development donors on the
concept of civil society continues, as shown from the example of
collaboration between Centre for Sustainable Development and SIDA in
Sweden. Yet much of the research has narrowly concentrated on one Nordic
donor at a time, however, while development policies, approaches, roles
of NGOs – and not least – the NGO field in partner countries, have been
changing.
It is time to take a comparative look at the past and the current
challenges in civil society support in the Nordic countries. Is the
common perception of common Nordic trends justified? If there is
heterogeneity and a strong state involvement are they similar in all the
Nordic countries? What are the national peculiarities and where do they
come from? `The workshop invites a wide variety of papers from
researchers and practitioners willing to contribute to a shared
understanding of dynamics of civil society and NGOs in the Nordic aid
paradigms, and the review of existing research on the area.
The workshop is initially organized by a research group “NGOs in
developmentalist complex” at the University of Helsinki. The Finnish and
Tanzanian group members investigate the NGO relationships in
Finnish-Vietnamese, Finnish-Indian and Finnish-Tanzanian contexts as
well as the civil society problematic in Tanzania and at international
scale. We would be willing to co-organize the workshop with Nordic
partners that are conducting research on similar themes and to divide
workshop into thematic sessions according to the papers submitted.
Organisers:
Tiina Kontinen, postdoctoral researcher, University of Helsinki,
tiina.kontinen@helsinki.fi
Juhani Koponen, professor, University of Helsinki,
juhani.m.koponen@helsinki.fi
Workshop nr.: 3
Title: Culture and Development: The role and meaning of
culturally sustainable development in development research and praxis
Abstracts and
programme
The idea of culturally sustainable development has strong Nordic origins
within the research and praxis of international development work and
cultural policy. UNESCO’s World Commission for Culture and Development
gathered in Sweden in 1994 and published later on the report Our
Creative Diversity (1995), seen as one of the first milestones combining
the concepts of culture, sustainability and development. All this took
place during the “culture in development decade” when development issues
were introduced first time in the sphere of cultural policies in Nordic
countries and some other European countries. Since early 1990’s
international organizations, such as UN and UNESCO, have enhanced
cultural dimensions and human-centered development within the
ecologically and economically stated, commodity-centered discourse of
sustainability and development. However, despite of being an instrument
in taking culture into account in the context of development, cultural
policy includes past and present practices of bringing developing
countries into the “levels of Western ways of thinking and action”. To
find ways out of this “colonialist ethos”, cultural policies and their
research need to adopt wider cultural understanding than arts and
civilizing aspect, and approach the development work holistically.
This workshop challenges to debate on questions related to above
mentioned issues and following sub-themes:
- Definitions of culture and cultural sustainability in Nordic and
international development and cultural policies.
- The role of international cultural policy and cultural/creative
industries in development context.
- Themes of cultural rights, cultural diversity and intercultural
dialogue in development work.
- Sustainability of indigenous cultures in “developing” and
“developed” countries, and cultural sustainability in the
development work and research in circumpolar areas.
- Cultural rights, diversity and sustainable development as
counteracts to the present “pessimism” toward development work and
aid appearing in the Nordic and European countries.
- Raising awareness on cultural and ecological sustainability
through education.
- Indicators for cultural sustainability.
Organisers:
Dr. Miikka Pyykkönen, Cultural Policy, University of Jyväskylä,
miikka.pyykkonen@jyu.fi
Ms.Soc. Maija Väätämöinen, Cultural Policy, University of Jyväskylä,
milla.m.vaatamoinen@jyu.fi
Workshop nr.: 4
Title: Setting off the Path; Latin American future
development strategies
Abstracts
-
Programme
In contemporary Latin America there are many different development
strategies and policies. Latin American countries have been subject to
structural adjustment programs in the 1980’ and different forms of
neoliberal policies in the 1990’s which led to what some have called a
‘pink tide’ Currently Latin American countries are choosing very
different paths. This workshop will explore this diversity from booming
economies to upcoming social movements and popular participation. We
invite papers focusing both on comparative studies and case studies.
Organisers:
Steen Fryba Christensen, associate professor, Aalborg University,
sfc@cgs.aau.dk
Vibeke Andersson, associate professor, Aalborg University,
van@cgs.aau.dk
Workshop nr.: 5
Title: Workshop on the role of human rights in
development policy and practice
Abstracts
Although the notion of human rights features predominantly in multiple
connotations in development discourse and praxis, the concrete
implications of linking human rights and development are not fully
clear. Despite an increased attention to human rights in development
policy and programming over the past years, human rights are still in
the process of seeking their proper place and role in the comprehensive
and changing processes aiming at sustainable development. An overview of
donor approaches suggests that most donor agencies are involved in human
rights projects, human rights dialogue and human rights mainstreaming,
while a few are taking conscious efforts towards so-called human
rights-based approaches. When organizations take steps to apply a human
rights approach, this work can take different forms but has usually
common elements such as work with duty-bearers to strengthen their
capacity in realizing human rights and working with rights-holders to
support their capacity to claim their human rights. Understanding the
role of human rights in development policy and practice as well as the
implications of the existing strategies to incorporate human rights into
development is important both in order to place human rights on the map
of mutually complementing development perspectives and to be able to
identify strategic priorities for integrating the development and human
rights agendas.
The objective of this workshop is to explore various perspectives to the
role of human rights in development policy and practice. It aims at
taking stock of the current stage of research within the Nordic
countries on the different roles of human rights in development and
identifying areas where such research could benefit from further
expansion of Nordic and international cooperation. It provides an
opportunity to critically analyse what the place and role of the Nordic
research initiatives have been and should be within the European and
global research field dealing with the role of human rights in
development. Against this background, the workshop seeks to identify
areas, forms and methods of research and research cooperation that would
in a sustainable manner contribute to Nordic research that is of
relevance both within the Nordic countries and globally.
The workshop invites participants from different disciplines to present
papers related to the overarching subject of the role of human rights in
development policy and practice. It encourages the participation of
researchers, practitioners and policy makers from all parts of the world,
especially the Global South.
Organisers:
Maija Mustaniemi-Laakso, Researcher, Department of Law, Institute
for Human Rights, Åbo Akademi University, mmustani@abo.fi
Alessandra Sarelin, allundst@abo.fi
Sisay Alemahu Yeshanew, sisay.alemahu@abo.fi
Workshop convener: Institute for Human Rights at Åbo Akademi University, http://web.abo.fi/instut/imr/
Workshop nr.: 6 (in collaboration with workshop 10)
Title: Workshop on Past, Present and Future Prospects of
the Nordic model(s) of development policies
Abstracts -
Programme
Nordic countries are well known as generous donors and regularly
mentioned as an example of donor cooperation in development policies.
Indeed, in the Nordic countries, development aid is seen as a global
responsibility and an integral part of foreign policy. This indicates a
possible shift from voluntarism to a globalist approach in development
policy thinking.
Traditionally, the Nordic “globalist approach” to development policies
has been explained in terms of common Nordic model(s) emphasising social
policies, foreign policies, or Nordic democracy. Comparative analysis of
development policies has provided further evidence: Noël & Thérien
(1995) found Nordic (“socialist attribute of“) welfare state best
explaining donor generosity. Carbone’s (2007) comparative analysis of
the EU member states’ development policies found systematic differences
between the northern and southern member states. Sometimes the emphasis
is put on the role of the “like-minded countries” (“the Nordics +”) in
strengthening collective norms between donors.
This workshop will explore the historical reasons, present challenges
and future prospects of the Nordic model(s) of development policies. On
the one hand, the focus is on exploring these model(s). At the same
time, contributions reflecting national differences and the effects of
changes in values, norms and modes of collaboration in development
policies are welcome.
Potential authors are invited to propose papers on amongst others:
- What is the role of domestic values / international norms /
common rules and practices in explaining and understanding the
Nordic development policies?
- Why are there similarities and/or differences in national
development policies?
- Are the Nordic model(s) changing during the age of globalisation
and integration?
- What does the rise of populist parties tell about the state of
Nordic model(s)?
- Have Nordic development policies changed following the Paris
Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and the Accra Agenda for Action for
Action, or the Summit on the Millennium Development Goals?
- Is it reasonable to speak about development policies when the
issue area is on the verge of fragmentation (through securitization;
NGO-zation; climatization etc.)?
- What is left of Nordic collaboration within the EU?
- Where is the current neoliberal economisation of development
leading our development practices?
Organisers:
Lauri Siitonen, Dr.Soc.Sci, Postdoctoral Researcher (on leave of
absence 2010-2011), Development Studies Department of Political and
Economic Studies, University of Helsinki, lauri.siitonen(at)helsinki.fi
Workshop nr.: 7 - Cancelled
Title: Nordic ICT4D Research
Workshop nr.: 8
Title: Gender in development aid: Discourses, assumptions
and practices
Abstracts
-
Programme
Gender equality and women's rights have become key issues in
international development aid policies, and a main concern in the
'Millennium effort' to eradicate poverty. The Nordic countries, as
international "spearheads" regarding legislation and practical policy on
gender equality, have been pioneers in incorporating gender issues in
development assistance. Whilst topics such as feminisation of poverty
and strategies on how to promote gender equality and women's rights has
been widely addressed, basic assumptions and discourses informing aid
policies on gender are less explored. In addition, the links between
policy formulation and practical implementation often seem ambiguous or
weak.
The aim of this workshop is to explore gender policies in development
aid, with a particular scrutiny of the encounters between diverging
notions of gender, gender equality, and women's rights. We invite
contributions that explore the underlying assumptions on gender in
Nordic and international development policy and practice from historical
and theoretical/philosophical perspectives, as well as case studies of
policy implementation in culturally diverse settings, including contexts
of legal plurality.
Organisers:
Haldis Haukanes, Haldis.Haukanes@iuh.uib.no
Marit Tjomsland, Marit.Tjomsland@iuh.uib.no
Workshop nr.: 9
Title: Nordic Perspectives on South Asian Development
Abstract and
programme
South Asia has for long provided a fertile testing ground for
development policy, intervention and research. The region is home to
both the world’s largest democracy and to one or more frail or failing
states. It is marred by multi-layered and historically complex ethnic,
ideological and religious conflicts in some regions, whereas more or
less peaceful communal coexistence prevails in others. Poverty is
widespread, and the alleviation of human suffering is incumbent, even as
the regional economy in the aggregate continues to flourish. Nordic
interventions and interests – both practical and academic – in the
development trajectory of the region have accordingly ranged from
experiments in conflict mediation and resolution, to questions of
decentralisation, democratisation and participation, to poverty
reduction and a concern for the environment, nature and wildlife
conservation – and beyond. In this workshop we welcome both academics,
activists and development practitioners with a practical and hands-on
experience with development in South Asia. We aim to explore the
diversity of experiences that characterise South Asian development and
change, and we particularly welcome papers grounded in case-based
empirical studies. We also encourage our contributors to reflect on
whether it is feasible to talk of a particular ‘Nordic’ perspective on
South Asian development, as well as what the substance and contours of
this perspective might look like.
Organisers:
Kenneth Bo Nielsen, Centre for Development and the Environment,
University of Oslo, k.b.nielsen@sum.uio.no
Dayabati Roy, Dept. of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, University
of Copenhagen, dayabati@hum.ku.dk
Annika Wetlesen, Dept. of Sociology and Human Geography, University of
Oslo, annika.wetlesen@sosgeo.uio.no
Workshop nr.: 10 (in collaboration with workshop 6)
Title: Exploring the urban perspective in Nordic
development research and policies
Programme
-
Abstract
The idea of the workshop/panel session is twofold. Firstly, we want to
explore how “the urban question” has been (or not been) part of
development studies in the Nordic countries, and to present ongoing
research in the field. We also want to explore whether there are
different perspectives between the Nordic countries, and see to what
extent there are grounds for more cooperation and networks related to
urban development in Norwegian and Nordic development research.
The second (and related) motivation is based on the acknowledgement that
despite an increasingly urbanized world, Norwegian/Nordic development
policies and debates have limited interests in and weak policies on
urban development issues. Is this lack of focus due to limited research
and ability to contribute to this policy agenda? Are there similar
challenges in the Nordic countries and if so how can development
researchers working with urban issues, work together to increase the
focus on urban development policies in the global South? Is it pertinent
to focus on the urban as a specific field of development research and
policy, or should urban perspective rather be integrated into broader
development issues?
To structure the workshop, we want to encourage contributions within two
broader themes relevant for ongoing and future urban research and
policy:
- urban governance and sustainable development
- the formal and informal city, associational life and politics
Organisers:
Coordinator: Marianne Millstein, associate professor, Department of
sociology and human geography, University of Oslo, Marianne.millstein@sosgeo.uio.no
Berit Aasen, senior researcher, Norwegian Institute for Urban and
Regional Research (NIBR), berit.aasen@nibr.no
David Jordhus-Lier, senior researcher, Norwegian Institute for Urban and
Regional Research, david@nibr.no
Workshop nr. 11
Title: Conflict, Human Security and Development (CHSD)
Abstracts
& Program
This workshop invites papers which explore the links between conflict,
human security and development, with a particular emphasis on
development processes in post-conflict, post-war and post-disaster
contexts. Conflict here is thus not restricted to wars, but can include
lower intensity conflict at local levels over access and control of
various resources, where political, social and cultural identities may
nevertheless collide. The term human security is also referred to in its
broadest sense, and includes food and livelihood security, as well as
environmental, economic, health, and personal security. Papers can
address issues such as (but not limited to): human security and human
rights; health and conflict; resource conflicts and negotiations;
post-conflict and post disaster livelihood revival; agricultural/seed
systems security in post-conflict and post-disaster contexts;
resettlement and reintegration; humanitarian, military and development
actor relations, the securitization of development, the impact of
protracted emergencies on development, women in post-conflict contexts
with reference to UN resolution 1325; gender- based violence in conflict
post/conflict areas; reconciliation and peace-building processes. We
encourage papers with an interdisciplinary perspective, and which can
offer analyses of complex processes which may cross the borders of
conventional development thinking.
Organisers:
Ingrid Nyborg, Associate Professor, Department of International
Environment and Development Studies, Noragric Norwegian University of
Life Sciences (UMB), Ingrid.nyborg@umb.no
Workshop nr. 12
Title: Dalits, women and other disadvantaged groups –
inclusion through state provisions or market mechanisms
Abstracts
& Programme
In terms of social security and welfare, the Nordic countries are not
only well reputed for the social chapters of their aid policies, also
the universal Nordic Welfare Models as such have been an inspiration for
many developing countries. Common to all Nordic countries have been a
relatively large state sector securing adequate transfers and social
services to its citizens at a rights basis. Moreover, in terms of income
equality especially when social transfers are counted in, the Nordic
countries figure among the most equal in the world.
In many respects India have had a similar policy of inclusion towards
the disadvantaged groups in the country. Most well known is the
comprehensive Indian system of preferential treatment of dalits, women
and members of tribal communities to the political and educational
system and to jobs in public enterprises. Adding to that there are many
welfare schemes both at national and state level meant to reduce the
social risk of disadvantaged groups.
Just like the Nordic welfare models, the state provision of welfare,
however, is challenged these years by the increased influence of
policies of economic liberalization. Among the immediate consequences of
economic growth miracles in many developing countries are incredible
increases in prices on land and housing, both of which primarily hit the
poor and most disadvantaged part of the population.
This workshop invites papers and participants that are concerned with
this development, not least empirical studies that discuss the current
role of market versus state in securing upward mobility, welfare and
well-being for disadvantaged groups.
Organisers:
Aase Mygind Madsen, Ass. Professor, School of Social Work, VIAUC,
Aarhus, Denmark. Ph.D. AaM@viauc.dk.
Currently coordinating a comparative study on changing welfare regimes
and how it impacts on social problem solutions.
Workshop nr. 13
Title: Developmental Governance
Abstracts
-
Programme
The notion “developmental state” was originally coined to characterize
the economic policies and institutions of a small group of East Asian
late-industrializing states. These alleged developmental states have
however been undergoing changes, and there are other forms of
developmental governance around the world that appear to be good at
producing economic upgrading. The workshop will discuss the changing
forms of developmental governance with regard to policies, institutions,
societal and international conditions with a view to economic upgrading
as well as to other development priorities, such poverty reduction,
equal distribution and self-sustaining development.
Organisers:
Kristen Nordhaug, Development Studies, Oslo and Akershus University
College of Applied Sciences, Kristen.Nordhaug@hioa.no
Laurids S. Lauridsen, The Department of Socity and Globalisation,
Roskilde University, lsl@ruc.dk
Panel 1 has
been changed into a workshop:
Workshop 14
Title: Issues and challenges in the implementation of
REDD programs and policies at the local level
Abstracts -
Programme
Measures to prevent deforestation and forest degradation in tropical
countries quickly gained acceptance in the international arena as means
to contribute to reduce global green house gas emissions. The UN-REDD
program was launched in 2008 with Norway as the first and largest donor.
Denmark became the second donor country in 2009 and since, Spain, Japan
and the European Commission have followed. The forest carbon partnership
facility (FCPF) is a World Bank based initiative aiming at assisting
tropical countries to develop policies for REDD. Norway and Denmark are
also key financial supporters of the FCPF.
Both the UN-REDD program and the FCPF aim at assisting tropical
countries in developing guidelines on carbon emissions monitoring, to
provide benefits for local livelihoods and environments and to support
the participation of indigenous peoples and civil society in the
implementation of REDD.
At the time the REDD initiative was launched, it was portrayed as a
“quick, cheap and easy” way to reduce global carbon emissions and at the
same time as an initiative that would help reducing poverty and
conserving biodiversity. As REDD pilot projects were initiated it became
evident that the strategy is probably not as simple as initially
envisaged. Apart from the technical challenges it involves, issues
salient in current debates are related to the rights of local peoples as
well as the possibilities for their participation in the implementation
of national REDD policies, projects and programs.
In this panel ongoing research on REDD implementation in tropical
countries will be presented. In addition to the participants proposed
below, we would like to attract PhD students and other researchers
working on REDD from other Nordic countries to participate in the panel.
Organisers:
Centre for Development and the Environment (SUM) University of Oslo.
Contact: Mariel Cristina Aguilar Støen, Senior Researcher, m.c.a.stoen@sum.uio.no
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