The consortium’s working groups organize thematic panels at the annual international conference, their own workshops, and comparative publications. All those interested in participating in RISC’s working groups are eligible to apply for workshop/seminar organization grants, seed funding for research and mobility funds. Also, the consortium has a book series for publication of empirical and theoretical research. Finally, the working groups organize the exchange of information and intellectual debates on the consortium’s interactive web portal (www.risc.lu) In order to join this working group, please contact RISC and state your interest in joining this specific group. Your name and e-mail address will be sent to the working group coordinator.

Los grupos de trabajo del consorcio están encargados de organizar un panel en el congreso anual RISC, preparar sus propios seminarios, y sus publicaciones comparativas. Todos aquellos interesados en participar en un grupo de trabajo RISC, serán también elegibles de solicitar fondos RISC para la organización de seminarios, investigación y movilidad académica. También, el consorcio cuenta con una serie de libros orientada a la publicación de investigación teórica y empírica proveniente de los grupos de trabajo. Finalmente, los grupos de trabajo organizarán el intercambio de información y debates intelectuales en el portal interactivo del consorcio (www.risc.lu). Para poder registrarse en este grupo de trabajo, por favor contactan RISC declarando su interés y motivos profesionales. Su nombre y correo electrónico será enviado al coordinador del grupo de trabajo.

Les groupes de travail du consortium organisent des ateliers thématiques lors de la Conférence internationale annuelle, animent leurs propres ateliers et réalisent des publications comparatives. Toute personne désirant participer aux groupes de travail du RISC peut faire la demande d’une bourse pour les ateliers/séminaires, d’un financement de recherche et/ou de l’accès au fonds de mobilité. En outre, le consortium dirige une collection éditoriale permettant la publication de recherches empirique et théorique. Enfin, les groupes de travail organisent l'échange d'informations et des discussions académiques sur le portail internet interactif du consortium (www.risc.lu). Intéressé(e) pour rejoindre ce groupe de travail ? Contactez RISC en signalant votre intérêt pour ce groupe spécifique. Votre nom et email seront transmis au coordinateur.

Working Group on “Development, Equity and Policy Coherence”

Coordinator: Harlan Koff, IPSE Research Unit, University of Luxembourg

Synopsis: The nature of development and its place in global affairs has changed significantly since the end of World War II. During an initial phase, development programs focused largely on economic development in terms of states and markets. Moreover, development relationships were viewed strictly in terms of North-South relations.

Since the 1990s, the nature of “development politics” has been affected by emerging South-South relations, the rise of “BRICS” (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) in global affairs, increased multilateralism in development strategies, the inclusion of non-state actors in global development policy-making and the shifts in development paradigms from strictly economic frameworks to human development objectives which include important new goals such as the struggle against poverty, protection of human rights, public health and the fight against AIDS, access to strategic resources (such as water), food security, the responsibility to protect citizens, etc.

Despite the paradigm shifts described above, a major challenge to development strategies has been their evolution in separate contexts from regional integration. Regional organizations have largely focused on macro-economic issues related to trade, growth, competitiveness, etc. while development aid has remained focused on nation-states. This has created numerous complications as aid has aimed at improving infrastructure, eradicating poverty, protecting strategic resources, etc. in specific states while economies have regionalized creating transnational challenges for national sustainable development strategies. As the field of development has evolved in more and more complex scenarios, policy coherence has become increasingly significant.

Call for Participation: Two key questions are fundamental for the activities of this group: 1) Are territories at the service of their communities or are communities at the service of their territories? 2) What potential do regional/sub-regional organizations have for promoting equitable economic development and sustainable human development for citizens of their member states?

This working group aims to foster development research within the contexts of regional integration and social equity, defined as collective social and economic balance in societies which contributes to the protection of human dignity and individual well-being. Equity is an important theme because it is intrinsically related to cohesion which is the major focus on RISC.

The aim of the proposed working group would be to examine policy coherence between development strategies, the emergence of regional markets and the promotion of human security-related objectives. Moreover, contrary to the general “North-South”paradigm which dominates development debates, this group will adopt a“comparative regional perspective” in which development strategies will be compared across all regions without distinction in recognition of both the similar development challenges that different world regions face and the interconnectedness of development processes between world regions.

The group’s agenda includes the following central queries:

1) How have regional and inter-regional relationships affected development processes?

2) How has the emergence of regional (and sub-regional) organizations affected aid effectiveness?

3) What potential does regional governance have to strengthen aid effectiveness?

4) How can regional organizations better address policy coherence for development?

5) How do regional organizations provide added value in the fight against poverty and marginalization?

6) How does regional integration add value to development strategies aimed at transnational human security agendas?

7) How do regional organizations promote sustainable development and the equitable management of strategic resources?

8) What roles can civil society play in regional development strategies?

9) How do regional organizations promote the inclusion of human rights and democratic participation in development strategies?

10) How does democratic participation or lack thereof affect the successful implementation of regional development strategies?