Development Policies
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide basic knowledge on key topics of the current debate around development and policies for its implementation. This objective is defined according to 4 directions:
1)giving knowledge of the theoretical debate on development from a historical perspective till the current international commitment, with a special focus on human and sustainable development and the United Nations Agenda 2030.
2)presenting critically the available processes of elaboration of development policies at the national and local level, paying particular attention to their sectorial interactions, to participatory processes and to the role played (and to be played) by the different actors (public, civil society, private sector ) and to the international interactions and interdependences arising from globalization.
3)providing competencies to understand the basic elements and trends of financing for development, explaining the available channels to mobilize resources, constraints and opportunities, and the current international financial commitment framework.
4)describing and showing the main interlinkages among global governance, national policies and the role played by international actors, development policies and human rights and peace.
This knowledge will be provided through lectures, analysis of official documents of the United Nations and of governments (especially policy, planning and evaluation documents). The student will also be asked to participate in work groups that will present their results within the course.
1)giving knowledge of the theoretical debate on development from a historical perspective till the current international commitment, with a special focus on human and sustainable development and the United Nations Agenda 2030.
2)presenting critically the available processes of elaboration of development policies at the national and local level, paying particular attention to their sectorial interactions, to participatory processes and to the role played (and to be played) by the different actors (public, civil society, private sector ) and to the international interactions and interdependences arising from globalization.
3)providing competencies to understand the basic elements and trends of financing for development, explaining the available channels to mobilize resources, constraints and opportunities, and the current international financial commitment framework.
4)describing and showing the main interlinkages among global governance, national policies and the role played by international actors, development policies and human rights and peace.
This knowledge will be provided through lectures, analysis of official documents of the United Nations and of governments (especially policy, planning and evaluation documents). The student will also be asked to participate in work groups that will present their results within the course.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the students will acquire the essential knowledge to understand independently the international debate on sustainable development. These skills will enable them to read critically policy and planning documents produced by governments, to evaluate the internal PCD (Policy Coherence for Development), the coherence with the UN Agenda 2030 and with other international commitments, and to identify the main opportunities and trade-offs for financing and implementation.
These skills will be shown by the students partly during the work groups and partly during the final exam, when they will be asked to analyze an official governmental policy document, identifying issues and criteria for an evaluation.
The acquired knowledge, then, will provide the needed elements to identify areas for further study and research, mainly towards sustainably, intersectoral linkages, financing for development, means for global governance and links between development, human rights and peace.
These skills will be shown by the students partly during the work groups and partly during the final exam, when they will be asked to analyze an official governmental policy document, identifying issues and criteria for an evaluation.
The acquired knowledge, then, will provide the needed elements to identify areas for further study and research, mainly towards sustainably, intersectoral linkages, financing for development, means for global governance and links between development, human rights and peace.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Second trimester
The lectures will be held, following the rules of the University of Milan, in presence or online. In any case, the lectures will be streamed live on the web platform Teams. Information will be shared in advance weekly.
Course syllabus
1. The evolution of the idea of development, policies and actors.
The idea of development from Truman to the concepts of human development and sustainable development. The development actors, from citizens to international institutions. The evolution of policies starting from the international debt crisis in the '80s: structural adjustment programs, HIPC Initiative and new poverty reduction strategies, MDGs (Millennium Development Goals), Agenda 2030 and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
2. The elaboration of policies
Linkages between national policies and SDGs/Agenda 2030
Sectoral policies: economic policies (monetary and fiscal), agriculture, health, education, environment and climate change.
3. Financing for development
International debate in the United Nations International conferences: Monterrey 2001 and Addis Ababa 2015. Financing for development channels. The debate around ODA and aid effectiveness. The debt problem.
4. International governance and perspectives
Tools and rooms for international governance: UN, regional institutions, Groups (G20, G7, G77, etc.) and other forms for international dialogue and decision-making process. Challenges and perspectives generated by the pandemic crisis.
Best practices.
Restorative Justice, a perspective.
The idea of development from Truman to the concepts of human development and sustainable development. The development actors, from citizens to international institutions. The evolution of policies starting from the international debt crisis in the '80s: structural adjustment programs, HIPC Initiative and new poverty reduction strategies, MDGs (Millennium Development Goals), Agenda 2030 and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
2. The elaboration of policies
Linkages between national policies and SDGs/Agenda 2030
Sectoral policies: economic policies (monetary and fiscal), agriculture, health, education, environment and climate change.
3. Financing for development
International debate in the United Nations International conferences: Monterrey 2001 and Addis Ababa 2015. Financing for development channels. The debate around ODA and aid effectiveness. The debt problem.
4. International governance and perspectives
Tools and rooms for international governance: UN, regional institutions, Groups (G20, G7, G77, etc.) and other forms for international dialogue and decision-making process. Challenges and perspectives generated by the pandemic crisis.
Best practices.
Restorative Justice, a perspective.
Prerequisites for admission
Students must have passed Fundamental of Economics. Besides, basic knowledge of English is needed.
Teaching methods
The course will be taught through lectures, analysis of official documents of the United Nations and governments (especially policy, planning and evaluation documents). The student will also be requested to participate in workgroups that will present their results within the course.
Teaching Resources
There is no single textbook for the course. A list of lecture notes, papers and official documents of governments and international institutions will be provided on the Ariel website and on Teams.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is divided into two parts. In the written test students must critically assess official documents of political planning issued by a government or an international institution. Students must demonstrate adequate knowledge of sectoral policies, linkages between local and global dimensions, participation processes and basic monitoring and evaluation criteria. In the oral exam, the written production will be discussed and some questions will verify the knowledge of the subjects covered in the course, in particular on the ongoing international debate on sustainable development, sectoral policies, global governance and financing for development.
SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Moro Riccardo