97256 - LABORATORY: INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND THE GOVERNANCE OF DEVELOPMENT

Learning outcomes

The objective of this Laboratory is to learn about the main international financial institutions that provide development aid and examine how they have developed since the Bretton Woods agreements. The overall governance related to decision-making for such institutions will also be presented. A special focus will be dedicated to the role of the European Union in shaping development policies and delivering development outcomes. The scope of the workshop is to ground the theoretical foundations the students receive during their development theory and development economics classes with practical examples of how IFIs work. The student will learn how the main international and bilateral development institutions deliver financing for development, aid, and shape strategies and policies.

Course contents

This Laboratory is taught exclusively in English. It focuses on the way development aid reaches people and countries and how development institutions delivery it.

CLASSES ARE EXPECTED TO START FEBRUARY 22, 2023 AND CONCLUDE ON APRIL 5. CLASSES ARE HELD ON WED 5 to 7 PM AND FRIDAY 9 to 11 AM.  

The scope of the workshop is to ground the theoretical foundations the students receive during their development theory and development economics classes with practical examples of how international financial institutions (IFIs) work.

The Laboratory is taught by a development practitioner, uses guests’ speakers and it will help familiarize students with the way development organizations work. The student will learn how the main international and bilateral development institutions are governed, how they function, and how they deliver financing for development and shape their strategies and policies.

We will analyse when, why and in which context IFIs were established and how they have evolved over the years and across the globe. We shall also discuss the challenges to deliver development aid to beneficiaries, in the context of today’s especially challenging geopolitical situation.

The course will focus on institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, and how they have changed since their establishment since the Bretton Woods Conference. The course will provide an overview of Regional Development Banks and there will be a special focus on the role of the European Union in shaping development policies and delivering development outcomes, especially outside of the European Union countries.

The overall governance related to decision-making within such institutions, including the G system, will also be discussed together with the role played by shareholders governments in the IFIs.

While the course will privilege IFIs and development institutions, there will also be an analysis of the United Nation systems and of key UN agencies. The course may also introduce a session on NATO.

The topics covered in this Laboratory are outlined below. (This content will be updated as soon as we know the calendar for the classes and the list of invited speakers):

1. Introduction: Organization of the course and assessment methods
2. Overview on the international financial architecture since the Bretton Woods agreements

   The role of the IMF and of the WBG

   The UN agencies related to development/the UNDGs

   The governance of the IFIs and who is in charge

   The role of the Regional Development Banks

   The role of the European Union Banks in development (EIB, EBRD)

3. The G meetings and who is in charge

   Why so many Gs? Why should we care of what the G7 and the G20 are and what they say about development?

4. What is the role of the EU Institutions in promoting development?

   The Commission Services, the Council, and the EU Parliament (which role do they have?)

   The EU Members States and their (main) development agencies

5. The UN system and a deeper look at some of its specialized agencies (UNICEF, UNHCR)

6. The nexus between Development and Security - NATO and OSCE

Readings/Bibliography

The scope of this workshop is to ground the theoretical foundations the students receive during their development theory and development economics classes with practical examples of how IFIs and development agencies work.

There are no mandatory textbooks, and all material will be made available on-line. Suggested readings that will help in the understanding of the lecturers and can help in the discussions during class will be made available prior to the start of each class. This will include documents such as: G20 statements, IMFC/Development Committee Statements, EU Council conclusions.

Teaching methods

Lectures are composed of classical/seminaries supported by presentations, case studies, and videos. Classes are expected to be given in session of 2 hours each on Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning and in class attendance, or online if not possible to come to class, is recommended. The pace of the course is rather intense/concentrated. 70% attendance is compulsory to be admitted to the final exam. Part of the class will consist of working group sessions. At least five guest speakers, from development institutions, regional Banks, and the UN, will be invited (on-line).

During part of the classes there will be discussions with development banker, or decision maker in the field of development and students will be asked to interact actively with the guest speakers. Going through the suggested readings material ahead of classes with help participate in the discussions.

Students will also be taught and encouraged to search for and obtain relevant information (data, official documents) and interpret such information.

The teacher will also be available on Thursday to meet the students for further questions, clarifications and to coach them on how to explore their interest in learning more and eventually working with some of the development institutions.

Assessment methods

The student will learn how the main international and bilateral development institutions deliver financing for development, aid, and shape strategies and policies.

During the first year, students were requested to write an essay of 2000 words in English to research one of the main topics treated during classes. While this proved very beneficial to the students, due to the anticipated number of attendees for this AY, the assessment method has been changed. Class participation will count for 30% of the final assessment and a multiple-choice test will count for the remaining 70%. The test will be administered at the end of the course. The Laboratory only gives a Pass/Fail assessment and there is no grade for this Laboratory.

For Third years students and a limited number of second year students, the Professor is willing to accept Essay writing as an assessment method, but the number will be capped at the beginning of class.

Teaching tools

• Video projector
• Power point presentations with linked material
• Video
• Guest speakers from relevant organizations will be invited to attend virtually and provide live case examples
• Students are advised to download and read the material (and related readings) before lectures

Office hours

See the website of Elisabetta Capannelli