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

The objective of this Laboratory is to expose the students to the way development aid is delivered to countries and beneficiaries, with a focus on delivery of development by international organizations and the European Union institutions.

The student will learn how the main international financial institutions function, when they were established and how they have developed over the years. The challenges of providing development aid to beneficiaries, in the context of today’s geopolitical situation, will also be touched upon.

The course will cover institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and how they have evolved since the establishment of the Bretton Woods agreements.

The overall governance related to decision-making within such institutions will also be presented and the role of the shareholders governments. The analysis of the Regional Development Banks will also be presented, including the most regional institutions created in Asia.

The course will also cover the role of the European Union in shaping development policies and delivering development outcomes outside of the European Union countries, in particular development aid to the poorest countries.

Some of the topics covered in this Laboratory are outlined below (see the Table below for the class organization):

Introduction: Organization and Overview

The international financial architecture since the Bretton Woods agreements

The role of the IMF

The role of the WBG

The UN agencies related to development/the UNDGs

The governance of the IFIs and who’s in charge

The emergence of Regional Development Banks

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

The G meetings and who’s in charge

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

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

Emerging topics and going forward:

How has the focus changed over the years and latest trends and topics of development; Do we still need such development architecture and waves of criticism

Detailed Organization of the Laboratory

Tuesday, Oct 12

Introduction of the teacher, students and organization of the course.

Assessment of the students’ knowledge and interest. Complementarity with other classes.

Why knowledge of institutions and governance systems important.

Fact and figure on global financial architecture.

Note that additional reading material will be provided prior to each class

Monday, Oct 18

Bretton Woods, the IMF and the World Bank

No external Speaker

https://meetings.imf.org/en/2021/Annual

(read the Communique of the Fall 2021 IMFC and DC meetings, which will be issued on 15 and 16 October respectively)

Explore the websites of World Bank and IMF to review current topics of development

https://www.imf.org/en/Home

https://www.worldbank.org/en/home

Tuesday, Oct 19

Bilateral development agencies – An example from outside the EU.
Multilateral vs bilateral agencies approaches. Does politics play a role? How different is aid within and outside the EU

To be confirmed – Sumi Subramanian, Deputy Ambassador to the mission of New Zealand in Jakarta – on Bilateral development aid

Monday, Oct 25

The Gs and the governance of the IFIs.

The case of the Italian G20 Chairing

G7 and G20 statements

Tuesday, Oct 26

Who is in charge? What are the Gs? The IMFC, ECOFIN, who decides? The external role of the Euro. What happened in DC last week

Invited Speaker: Moreno Bertoldi, Special Advisor to the Ambassador and Head of the Economic and Financial Section, Delegation of the European Union to the United States - by VC

Monday, Nov 8

The role of the European Union Banks – EIB/EBRD

The role of the Regional Development Bank (and the recent emergence of the Asian Banks - TBC)

The Council of Europe Bank and the OECD

Tuesday, Nov 9

A day in the life of a Banker?

Invited Speaker: Victoria Zinchuk,EBRD Director for Croatia – by VC or classroom presence

Monday, Nov 15

The role of the UN

How many agencies?

The UNDGs

Touch upon other agencies such as WTO/FAO

Conclusions of the 76 Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 76)

Tuesday, Nov 16

Topical debate on issues facing the UN today. What role for the UN in a EU country? The Example of UN in Croatia

Invited Speakers:
Regina Castillo –UNICEF Representative in Croatia

Ana Rich – Representative UNHCR, Croatia

By VC

Monday, Nov 22

Emerging topics of development

Is development something just for the poor? Why are we still thinking issues of rich vs poor countries? If development is a One World issue, do we still need such aid architecture and what do we need to reform?

Invited Speaker: Elkyn Chaparro – Former Chief resident Mission and Senior Advisor- Classroom presence

Tuesday, Nov 23

How does the EU deliver aid?

The EU financial architecture for development.

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/06/14/council-adopts-conclusions-on-enhancing-the-european-financial-architecture-for-development/

Wednesday, Nov 24

EU Aid – A specific case from DG NEAR

Invited Speaker: Dr. Enrica Chiozza, Neighbourhood and Enlargement negotiations (DG NEAR), the European Commission

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 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 classes. 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 Monday and Tuesday and attendance, online or in class, would help as the pace of the course is rather intense/concentrated. Part of the class will consist of tutorial, simulations and working group sessions. Several guest speakers, from development institutions, regional Banks, the UN, will be invited (on-line).

During part of the classes there will be discussions or simulation of the real life of development banker, or a decision maker in the field of development and students may be asked to ‘interpret’ some of these roles.

Attending seminars and doing some readings with help participate in the discussions and students are encouraged to take an active part in class discussions.

Students will also be taught and encouraged to search for and obtain relevant information (data; official documents; information) through the Internet.

Assessment methods

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

Simple quiz/test will be utilized during classes for regular feedbacks and assessment.

A written essay of 2000 words in English to research one of the main topic treated during classes will be requested as assessment method. Topics would be agreed with the teacher before the end the course

Teaching tools

Video projector

Power point presentations with linked material

Video

Guest speakers from relevant organizations may also be invited to attend virtually and provide live case examples

Students are advised to download and read these notes (and possibly the related readings) before lectures.

Office hours

See the website of Elisabetta Capannelli