‘Understanding Development Better’ Conference

Ede, 27 - 29 August 2008 

27 August: Theories on development and social transformation 

10h30 - 11h00  Registration & coffee

11h00 - 11h10  Opening speech - Hans Rijneveld, managing director MDF Training & Consultancy, Ede

11h10 - 11h30  Speech Jan Donner, chairman Development Policy Review Network, Amsterdam

11h30 - 12h15  Key-note speech(es) by Jan Pronk and Jan Breman

12h15 - 12h45  Discussion (on statements)

12h45 - 13h30  Lunch

13h30 - 15h30  First round of workshops

• A Macro Economic Perspective - Geske Dijkstra  (Erasmus University, Rotterdam)
• A Sociological Perspective - Jos Mooij (Institute of Social Studies, The Hague)
• A Geographical Perspective - Lia van Wesenbeeck  (Free University, Amsterdam)
• An Anthropological Perspective - Sjoerd Zanen  (MDF Training & Consultancy, Ede)
• A Technology & Innovation Perspective - Wim Ravesteijn (Technical University, Delft)
• A Politicological Perspective - Wil Hout (Institute of Social Studies, The Hague)
• An Empirical Perspective - Anthonie de Kemp  (Policy and Operations Evaluation Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague)
• An Entrepreneurial Perspective - Klaas Molenaar (Triodos/FACET, Zeist)

16h00 - 18h00  Second round of workshops

• Same as first round

18h30 - 19h45  Complexity theory; a tool for better understanding development?

• Frans Bieckman, editor the Broker
• Louk de la Rive Box, rector of the Institute of Social Studies, The Hague

20h00  -    Dinner and informal chat groups 

28 August: Practical hindrances 

09h00 - 09h30  Personal impressions day 1 and beyond - Louk de la Rive Box, rector of the Institute of Social Studies, The Hague

09h30 - 11h30  First round of workshops

• Globalisation, Value Chains and Development Organisations - Peter Knorringa (Institute of Social Studies, The Hague)
• Trade Regimes - Stephen Browne  (International Trade Centre, Geneva)
• Bureaucracy and Corruption - Martin Koper (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague)
• Migration & Brain Drain ? Lothar Smith and Joris Schapendonk (Radboud University Nijmegen)
• Entrepreneurship & Business Environment - Klaas Molenaar (Triodos/FACET, Zeist)
• Capacity Development - Kees Zevenbergen (Netherlands Development Organisation, The Hague)
• Conflicts & Failing States - Helen Hintjens (Institute of Social Studies, The Hague)
• International Financial Relations  - Stan Stavenuiter (Netherlands Development Finance Company, The Hague)

11h30 - 12h30  Development and social change - Jan Breman

12h30 - 13h30  Lunch

13h30 - 15h30  Second round of workshops

• Same as first round

15h30 - 18h30  Surprise

19h00 - 21h00  Dinner and farewell reception Henk van Loo, founder MDF 

29 August: does aid help or hinder? 

09h00 - 09h30  Personal impressions day 2 and beyond - Paul Hoebink (Centre for International Development Issues, Nijmegen)

09h30 - 10h00  Synthesis - Jan Breman

10h00 - 11h30   Workshops on how aid can contribute to development and social change

11h45 - 13h00  Panel discussion: Jan Pronk, Jan Breman, Paul Hoebink, Maarten Brouwer, Stephen Browne

13h00 - 14h00  Lunch

14h00 - 15h00  Conclusions & follow-up - Hans Rijneveld, managing director MDF Training & Consultancy, Ede