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Communications
IDS Alumni Reunion 2009
Participants came far and wide to attend the Reunion held on 29 and 30 June. Alumni came from Mexico, USA, China, Greece, Ireland, South Africa, Uganda, and the Philippines. The reunion's theme Development in a Changing Landscape encompassed important current issues: the future of development, climate change, the global financial crisis, the role of the UN and the future role of alumni in IDS' emerging strategy.
Day one began with an impressive line-up for the opening plenary, chaired by Martin Greeley (IDS Fellow, DP85). Tom Lines (Independent Consultant, MP10) commented on the reintroduction of the moral hazard, that 25 years of global markets and what Soros termed 'market fundamentalism' has been undermined. Alison Evans (Director ODI, DP96) reminded everyone that development has always been about uncertainty - both positive and negative and characterised the current financial crisis and economic recession, the shifting geopolitics and power at local and global levels that affects security and inequality. She questioned whether we need to recover a moral purpose for aid. Robert Chambers (IDS Fellow, Participation Team) asked 'what is missing in development?' He identified crucial areas where he believes there isn't enough being done. In such a rapidly changing landscape, the challenge is how to keep learning, how to be more up to date in our own behaviour as development professionals.
'IDS alumni have shared values and are proud to be part of IDS. It’s great to be alums of IDS.' Nikos Georgiadis, MP14
Two parallel sessions were presented by IDS Fellows: The Global financial crisis: development under pressure, with Andy Sumner and Naomi Hossain (DP05), and Climate change and poverty implications with Tom Tanner and Tom Mitchell. A plenary followed entitled: How does IDS position itself in the World and what does that mean for the Alumni Association? Focusing on the future role of IDS, Lawrence Haddad (Director) emphasised the vital part played by the Alumni Association in the institute's future. Mary McKeown (MP14) said IDS is looking for partnerships and alumni can help make those connections. She stressed that 'an holistic approach is needed to accomplish this.' There were discussions about the emerging strategy for the next five years; the process of change, and hopes for adapting to those changes - including the institute’s positioning in the development world. He also stressed the necessity to redefine links with actors beyond the ‘usual suspects’ of development.
Keynote speech 'What’s new in Development'
Simon Maxwell, Senior Research Associate and previous Director at ODI, offered his definition on the global story - the crisis of capitalism and climate change and the importance of re-evaluating development institutions. He asked about the comparative advantage for institutions existence in the UK, and claimed an imperative for an in-depth understanding of policy processes. He argued that: 'if we can't get multilateral institutions to understand the reform processes to which they are subject, we aren't going to deliver answers to the global financial crisis.'
A parallel session on the role of the UN/Brighton Woods Project was presented by Richard Jolly and Sara Wolcott (current student) and The Sussex Manifesto - a New Manifesto with KNOTS Fellows Melissa Leach and Ian Scoones. There were also sessions on Sexuality in Development and Sexual Rights Activism in Beijing, presented by Susie Jolly (MP22) and Xiaopei He (MA13) and Life Work experiences, convened by Linda Waldman (IDS Fellow and Course convenor). Speakers included Mamunur Rahman (MA20) who discussed his experiences working as a gender specialist and graduating from IDS.
'I have benefited a great deal from participating. Apart from learning about those working in different countries and fields, I was able to take part, discussing the topic of sexuality work in China.' Xiaopei He, MA13
The reunion concluded with a panel discussion: 'Development in Flux, we're not in Kansas anymore,' chaired by Paddy Coulter (Oxford Global Media), with speakers Lawrence Haddad (IDS Director), Tracy Williams (Gates Foundation, MAGov06) and Nikos Georgiadis (MP14). This year is the 70th Anniversary of the film The Wizard of Oz. Like Dorothy, we are unable to predict where the hurricane will take us - our version of Oz - will it be a land of false dawns or a brighter future? Do we need to think of an exit strategy – it is said development is about putting ourselves out of business? Numerous debates were generated about creating an Inequality Index, the necessary imagination required to engage 'unusual suspects' and the role of new development actors.