Decolonizing Aid

Duration: 08.03.–12.03.2027

Teaching format: Classroom

Course objective:

At the heart of global development’s transformation is a critical reckoning that modern development cooperation remains deeply entangled with colonial vestiges, cultural biases, and unequal power structures which compromises aid effectiveness and perpetuates inequalities.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to audit and deconstruct existing aid programs to identify lingering colonial hegemonies, evaluate how historical narratives of Western civilization influence contemporary project design, design and manage equitable development aid frameworks, and integrate decolonial methodologies directly into the design, implementation and management of aid and development programs. These outcomes are achieved through a combination of case studies, structured debates, and expert-led discussions.

This course is designed for development practitioners and professionals across various sectors who are ready to challenge traditional paradigms and wish to move beyond awareness to practical, measurable change in aid management and development cooperation.

Key topics:

• The landscape of contemporary aid and development
• Colonialism and colonial vestiges in aid architecture
• Decolonizing aid (concepts, tools, and approaches)
• Localization and ‘Locally led’ aid and development delivery
• Modern aid: Lessons learnt, challenges and opportunities

ECTS points: 3

Examination: Written assignment completed during the course

Course fee: CHF 950

Lecturers:

• Dr. Medinat Malefakis, NADEL