The course offers an introduction to the subject and contributes to a better understanding of the current debate and policy practices. Participants get an overview of concepts, methodological approaches as well as operational experiences and challenges of the actors in this complex area.

The training course provides an introduction into strategic schools of thought that are important in current theoretical discussions and policies of development cooperation.

In this course, social and cultural dynamics of international development cooperation are analysed, discussed, and connected to contemporary development cooperation activities and projects. Themes to be focused on include the impacts of colonisation in development cooperation, decolonisation, migration, gender, racism, and education.

The course is designed to increase awareness of how cultural perceptions and power structures have influenced society and our understanding of and practice in aid. It promotes alternatives to aid as linear and progressive Eurocentric narrative. The course draws on different theoretical perspectives and scrutinizes practical examples of aid interventions and similar initiatives.

This course takes the UN as a starting point to acquaint students with key competences decisive for effective international policy-making to address the most pressing issues of humanity. These include intercultural negotiation, mediation and complex problem solving skills. Participants receive the opportunity to exchange with UN staff, diplomats and civil society members engaged with the UN.

The course explores characteristics of fragility and how they are measured and monitored. It further discusses cooperation between actors (peace building, security, humanitarian, development cooperation) and explores how development programming has to be adapted to these situations.

This course on gender and economics is intended to provide basic- and intermediate-level training to development practitioners and policy and program staff in international development agencies.

The aim of this course is to gain a basic understanding of dialog, negotiation and mediation process design: what are different principles, approaches and questions related to process design that development cooperation practitioners need to be aware of?