Week 8

As development progresses, the avenues through which it takes place continues to change and improve. For example, while the Bretton Woods institutions have been the primary development lending institutions for several decades, other options are becoming more prominent. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), for example, is one that is making great strides, and is just one example of South to South aid being administered (Troilo, 2014). This diversity of lending options, and therefore competition, could start to weaken the West's control of development through condionalities, particularly as they relate to capitalism and democracy (Beudet, Haslam, & Schafer, 2012).

Additionally, technology is bringing new tools and innovations that have the great potential to increase development. Although the world is facing more challenges than ever before (urbanization, dramatic changes in demographics, and climate change, to name a few), both high technology and basic innovations to current machinery in developing countries are bringing advances in education, health, equality, and improved food supply. Because of this, there is a greater chance today than ever before that achievements like the reaching the Sustainable Development Goals will be realized through global efforts toward sustainable development.

References
Beaudet, P., Haslam, P.A., Schafer, J. (2012). The future of development?. In Haslam, P.A., Schafer, J., & Beaudet, P. (Eds.), Introduction to international development: Approaches, actors, and issues (2nd ed.) (526-537). Ontario: Oxford University Press.

Troilo, P. (2014, September 8). In ADB's image, China-led AIIB to test infrastructure alternative in Asia. Devex. Retrieved from http://www.devex.com

Week 7

One thing that was covered this week that I feel has better prepared me for a vocation in international development was the discussion on culture. As mentioned by Mannathukkaren (2012), cultural relativism (viewing all cultural practices as neither right nor wrong) can be dangerous because it makes it easy for human rights violations to be veiled under the cloak of national and/or religious practice (p. 508). I have often thought about how some aspects of culture are seen as being important to preserve, while others are viewed as unacceptable, and where the line between the two is drawn. The discussion this week helped me to differentiate that, and furthermore, to be aware of where certain practices are being threatened unnecessarily. Specifically, my classmate's post regarding Facebook's refusal to allow pictures of the Indoni festival on the social media site drove this point home (Phaladi, 2016).

Additionally, the research on technology being a way to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals brought to my attention the possibility that technology has to create further inequalities. This was not something that I had considered previously, but it will be very important in my career as a development professional. Prior to this week, I had seen any technology initiatives that improved production as being positive for development, since they generated more income for the country. However, as learned in previous weeks, higher GDP does not mean greater development. Additionally, creating access to technology (the internet, for example) can actually serve to create a greater income gap instead of improving development. This knowledge will help me to avoid this pitfall and be more aware of inequalities in the future.

References

Mannathukkaren, N. (2012). Culture and development. In Haslam, P.A., Schafer, J., & Beaudet, P. (Eds.), Introduction to international development: Approaches, actors, and issues (2nd ed.) (493-512). Ontario: Oxford University Press.

Phaladi, B. (2016, October 11). Retrieved from: http://www.sundayworld.co.za/news/2016/10/11/indoni-festival-promotes-nudity---facebook

Week 6

One thing that was really impressed upon me this week was the existence of problem-solving techniques that foster holistic development. The vitamin A distribution model by female community health volunteers was very eye-opening to me. The ability to improve the physical health of a community while at the same time empowering women and achieving community ownership is inspiring and has caused me to think about what other kinds of programs could work towards this as well. I think it is easy to get focused on one area of development, but encompassing a variety of issues in one project is a much better way to help communities progress more quickly.

However, this model only works if there is some kind of quality healthcare in the area. Volunteer health workers are absolutely not a substitute for qualified doctors and nurses, and it is appalling how many people worldwide have limited or no access to these services, especially indigenous communities. It was heartbreaking to read about communicable diseases that could easily be treated and eradicated if only people had accessed to trained doctors and medication. Instead, these diseases have a far greater impact than they should, causing compromised health, economic hardship, and even death. The scope of this problem is huge, and it needs to be a focus of development professionals.