Seminar on Good Practice in International Development from an Interdisciplinary Perespective
18 March 2009
Venue: Royal College of Surgeons
This seminar, organised by the UKNC for UNESCO Scotland Committee, will explore current issues of best practice in international development from an interdisciplinary perspective, in a Scottish context.
Through a series of case studies and workshops, the seminar will engage participants in reflecting about their own practice and experience and discussed issues of relevance:
- gender & diversity in Development
- local voices and knowledges in environmental Development
- the importance of Higher Education & Lifelong learning to Development
- integrated approaches to water management in Development
- the role of Culture in reaching the Millenium Development Goals.
REPORT
Over 130 policy makers, practitioners and academics from government, development organisations, and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) met in Edinburgh last week to discuss emerging issues of best practice in international development. The seminar, organised by the UK National Commission for UNESCO Scotland Committee, explored current practices in a range of development fields, with a focus on the key role interdisciplinary action must play in tackling today’s global challenges.
“In these difficult economic times, it is particularly fitting that we share good practice in development,” says Joanne Orr, Chair of the UK National Commission for UNESCO Scotland Committee. “Now more than ever, we must maintain our commitment to international development while striving to be more effective and efficient. UNESCO’s interdisciplinary approach to complex issues has always been integral to good development practice.”
Frederick Russell-Rivoallan of the UNESCO Bureau of Strategic Planning delivered the Keynote address, elaborating upon the role UNESCO plays in promoting longer-term, holistic approaches to development.
“UNESCO is not a funding agency. It is a development agency with technical competencies, so it has always strived to achieve its objectives through collaborative partnerships,” Frederick Russell-Rivoallan said. “UNESCO’s ability to ensure that Education, the Sciences, Culture and Communication are on, and remain on, the development agenda is essential, especially in the context of the current economic – and eventually social – crisis within which we are living.”
During the seminar’s afternoon session, a panel of academics and development practitioners lead a range of workshops covering issues including gender and diversity in development, local voices and knowledge in environmental development, the importance of higher education & lifelong learning, integrated approaches to water management in development, and the role of Culture in reaching the Millennium Development Goals.
