Institute of Development Studies

International Development dates for 2010

We asked IDS members to suggest some key diary dates for international development in 2010. Below is a selection together with a brief summary of why we think they are important.

January

GDN Annual Conference - 16 January
'The global financial crisis represents a fundamental challenge to the model of globalisation that has been pursued for the last 30 years. In particular, some are challenging the role of openness and international and regional integration in promoting development. This conference will bring together the latest thinkers on globalisation from around the world to debate and contest the latest evidence and its implications for the trade policies of the 21st century'.
Neil McCulloch, IDS Research Fellow, Globalisation Team

World Social Forum - 24 to 28 January
'The World Social Forum reminds us that another world is possible. In this day of multiple and complex crises, more than ever we need such spaces to imagine a new future.'
John Gaventa, IDS Research Fellow, Participation, Power and Social Change Team

February

World Day of Social Justice - 2 February

March

International Women's Day - 8 March
‘International Women's Day 2010 marks the 100th year of demanding equal rights for women - much has been gained, but much yet needs to be done.'
Andrea Cornwall, IDS Research Fellow and Director for Pathways of Women's Empowerment

World Water Day - 22 March
'Commemorating World Water Day helps remind us of the one billion people who lack access to water and the many more who suffer due to water pollution and poor water quality, the theme for World Water Day 2010'.
Lyla Mehta, IDS Research Fellow, KNOTS Team

April

World Health Day - 7 April

May

World Expo 2010 in Shanghai begins - 1 May to 1 October
'World Expo 2010 in Shanghai China will be the largest international trade fair ever staged with 70 million people expected to attend. About 190 countries will take part in the event, hoping to use their pavilions to promote business opportunities with one of the world's strongest economies.
In recent years many international companies have seen emerging markets like China as new sources of consumers and places to manufacture goods but they may have been underestimating the emergence of Chinese companies as powerful global rivals. Chinese companies are now moving beyond manufacturing with many now making their own brands that are quietly taking the market from rivals in Asia, Europe and the US.
I will be attending Expo 2010 to present some of my own research on branding in China, carried out with partners from Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. Over the past year I have been exploring whether improved branding is helping Chinese companies increase their stake in the global economy. Companies like Lenovo and Haier are already world players but until now little has been known about the development of branding in China. As China's share in global trade grows, the development of strong Chinese branding capabilities will mean that OECD firms can no longer take their position as leaders in global value chains for granted.'
Lizbeth Navas Aleman, IDS Research Fellow, Globalisation Team

International Day Against Homophobia - 17 May
‘In development work we sometimes assume that everyone is straight - such as in household models or gender analysis comparing women and men. As a result we exacerbate the exclusion of an already marginalised population of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. This day is a challenge to us to make development live up to its promise of promoting equality and injustice for all.'
Susie Jolly, Programme Convenor, Participation Team

JuneG8/G20 Summit - 20 to 27 June
'When the G8 Summit begins in Huntsville, Canada this June will it be overshadowed by the G20 Summit a little later, in July? The 36th meeting of the G8 might just be the last. What began as a group of the five richest countries in 1975 is increasingly redundant in the face a growing recognition of the need to involve the emerging markets and major holders of financial assets in discussions on meeting global challenges.'
John Humphrey, IDS Fellow and Team Leader of the Globalisation Team at IDS

World Environment Day - 5 June
'Biodiversity, the totality of all genes, species and ecosystems on the planet, is our greatest natural treasure. Its diminution and degradation should be prevented at all cost.'
John Thompson, IDS Research Fellow, KNOTS Team

July

World Population Day - 11 July

August

International Day of the World's Indigenous People - 9 August
'We are struggling against the attempts to impose a very narrow concept of development on us. We do not intend to tell others what they should do, but our presence shows that there are many different ways of achieving one's potential as a human being and living a worthy life'.
Santiago Manuin, leader of the Awajum people in the Peruvian Amazon speaking to Javier Arellano, DPhil student, IDS

September

International Literacy Day - 8 September

International Day of Democracy - 15 September
Democracy is a complicated mix of ideas, concepts, institutions, values, obligations, procedures, rights and, probably, a whole lot more that can be debated, assessed and quibbled over. But in its essence the term derives from the ancient Greek term meaning "rule by the people." Creating a form of government in which the demos ("the people") rule themselves is not a simple, easy or unidirectional process. There is an assumption held by many that the long-term economic development and welfare of a country hinges on a successful transition to democracy. So after securing the freedom to vote for the candidate that you dislike the least, expect many voices in front of the mikes promising a better tomorrow to follow.
Marc P. Berenson, IDS Research Fellow, Governance Team

International Day of Peace - 21 September

October

World Food Day - 16 October
'The food crisis has been called a silent tsunami. When it comes to hunger, silence is deadly. World Food Day is an opportunity for collective action. Civil society must not tolerate hunger - it must hold donors and developing countries to account for any delay, mediocrity and mendacity.'
Lawrence Haddad, Director

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - 17 October

November

World Toilet Day - 19 November

December

United Nations Climate Change Conference (Cop 16) - Dates to be confirmed

World AIDS day - 1 December

International Day to end Violence Against Sex Workers - 17 December

Human Rights Day - 10 December

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Published: 4 Jan 2010