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 is meant to be attended by students in the second and third year of SVIC (or other students interested in the topic, such as from SPOSI). Exception can be made for attendance by MA students.

The Laboratory focuses on the way development aid reaches people and countries and how development institutions delivery it.

The Laboratory is taught by a development practitioner, take advantage of the participation by senior managers from institutions from UN agencies, Development Banks and the EU, which attend as guests’ speakers. Such diversity of teachers will help students get exposed to 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.

Course content

This Laboratory is taught exclusively in English.

It focuses on the way development aid reaches people and countries and how development institutions delivery it.

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 and how such IFIs are governed. The workshop has also a specific focus on the governance of such isitutions, including the Groups governing them such as the Gs and the European Union.

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 and order of classes will be updated as soon as we know the calendar for the classes and the confirmed guest speakers):

1. Introduction: Organization of the course and assessment methods

   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 emergence of Regional Development Banks

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

2. 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?

3. 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

4. The UN system and some of its specialized agencies (UNICEF, UNHCR and WTO)

5. NATO – Does it have any role in development? What is next after the aggression of Ukraine? - TBC

Readings/Bibliography

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

There are no mandatory textbooks, and all material will be available on-line. The suggested readings should be read ahead of the classes as it will help in the understanding of the lecturers and in the discussions during class. Material and power points presentation will be made available ahead of classes.

Students will be asked to read also documents such as the latest G7 and G20 statements, the IMFC/Development Committee Statements, and EU Council conclusions.

Teaching methods

Lectures are composed of both traditional classes run by the Professor as well as presentations and discussions with guest speakers, from development institutions, regional Banks, the UN, who will be invited (mostly on-line) and attend some of the classes.

Classes are expected to be given in session of 2 hours each and attendance, online or in class, will help as the pace of the course is intense and classes are concentrated. It is mandatory to attend 70% of classes.

There are 4 hours of teaching weekly over two months. After which written exams are held. The pace is hence intense, and the students should prepare for that.

Students will also be taught and encouraged to search for and obtain relevant information (data; official documents; information) through the Internet and from the sites of the development institutions that will be discussed.

Assessment methods

The student will need to demonstrate that they have learned how the main international and bilateral development institutions deliver financing for development, shape strategies and policies and how they are governed.

Students will be asked to actively participate during the classes and to moderate and ask questions during the intervention by the guest speakers. The Professor will help prepare for such intervention as needed. Students will also be assessed based on their active participation during the Laboratory.

There will be a written test with both open questions and multiple-choice questions to be taken all in English over two hours. If the students do not pass at least 60% of the exam questions, they will be asked to retake the exam, and/or pass an oral exam and/or write a short essay.

Depending on the number of students attending the Laboratory there may be changes to the assessment modalities, which will be discussed with the students.

Attendance of 70% of classes is mandatory to be able to sit the exam.

There will be no grading at the end of this Laboratory, only a Pass/Fail.

Teaching tools

Teaching tools

Power point presentations with linked material

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.

The professor also accepts a limited number of students to prepare their BA Thesis, to be carefully prepared and selected, in either English or Italian.

Office hours

See the website of Elisabetta Capannelli