Development Cooperation in Transition

2014 is the 30th year of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung publishing the KAS International Reports. We have been actively involved in international development cooperation for over 50 years. During this time, the global world order has undergone considerable change, and so has therefore development policy.

by Gerhard Wahlers

Development policy will change more over the next decade than it did in previous decades. It will be less “development” and more “policy”; it will have a broader base and will become more complex; it will be more culturally sensitive and will include clearer strategic elements; and ultimately, it will no longer be “made by us”.

by Wolfgang Maier

Thoughts on Changing the Concept of Development

The concept of development in the future requires an honest culture of learning and should reward scrutiny, change and adaptation. The belief in predictability and planning has too often proved to be an illusion in Development Cooperation. Donors and development organisations should admit mistakes and misjudgements, share and communicate knowledge of this, adapt their strategies, seek solutions locally, experiment more and more rigorously scientifically test things.

by Sebastian Barnet Fuchs

Taking into consideration the strategic policy frameworks and their enhanced commitment to democratic values and principles, it can be – without any doubt, noted that a paradigm shift within EU development policy has taken place. On policy level we see a more nuanced accentuation and emphasis on democratic governance and support to democratisation processes as well as a general strife for policy coherence for human rights and democracy.

by Andrea Ellen Ostheimer

Colombia is experiencing a phase in its history when opportunities must not remain untapped: enduring peace as well as the building of a nation based on greater participation are on the agenda. This could be the right moment to contemplate not only a post-conflict scenario but also the building of a country which is facing problems that fuelled and exacerbated the armed confrontation in the past.

by Hubert Gehring, Margarita Cuervo

Was ist von Benins Präsidentschaft der Afrikanischen Union geblieben?

Development policy will change more over the next decade than it did in previous decades. It will be less “development” and more “policy”; it will have a broader base and will become more complex; it will be more culturally sensitive and will include clearer strategic elements; and ultimately, it will no longer be “made by us”.

by Dustin Dehez, Christian E. Rieck, Alessandro Scheffler Corvaja