International Development Cooperation (in English)
- Ending: Examination
- Range: 4C
- Semester: summer
- Year: 1
- Faculty of International Relations
Teachers
Included in study programs
Teaching results
The aim of the course is to provide students with basic theoretical and practical knowledge on the functioning of the international system of development cooperation with special emphasis on the development cooperation of the Slovak Republic. The purpose of this course is to bring practical information about various aspects of development cooperation directly from actors operating in that field (Platform for Development Organisations – Ambrela and others) to students. The course is designed for the master’s study program “Economic Diplomacy”, while its purpose is to broaden students’ knowledge on the sphere of development diplomacy.
Knowledge:
• Students will acquire knowledge about the economic and social importance, tools and forms of international development cooperation.
• Students will gain insights into development initiatives and development policies of selected actors in this field, including the Slovak Republic.
Competencies:
• Students will understand the complexity of the functioning of the international development cooperation system.
• Raising awareness of the necessity of international development cooperation to ensure sustainable development and global economic prosperity.
Skills:
• Ability to propose solutions to global economic and environmental challenges in the context of international development cooperation.
• Orientation in the basic phases of development project management.
Upon completing the course, students will be able to:
• justify the importance of international development cooperation,
• identify the main challenges of international development cooperation,
• analyse recent developments in the global system of international development cooperation,
• describe the Slovak Republic’s development assistance,
• develop a proposal for development project,
• think critically and creatively in the field of international development cooperation.
Indicative content
Basic terminology of international development cooperation. Development project management. Major development challenges of developing regions. Development assistance donors. The role of NGOs and the private sector. Development policy of the EU. Development cooperation of the Slovak Republic. Analysis of selected development projects. Development diplomacy. Development cooperation initiatives. The importance of international development cooperation in practice. Sustainable development and achieving the SDGs. Presentation of development projects.
Support literature
ZHAO, J. (2023): International Development Cooperation: Theory, Practice, and Evaluation. ISBN 978-9811258879.
HASLAM, P. A. – SCHAFER, J. – BEAUDET, P. (2021): Introduction to International Development: Approaches, Actors, Issues, and Practice, 4th Edition. ISBN 978-0199036431.
DEVELTERE, P. – HUYSE, H. – VAN ONGEVALLE, J. (2021): International Development Cooperation Today: A Radical Shift Towards a Global Paradigm. ISBN 978-9462702615.
POTTER, R. et al. (2018): Geographies of Development. An Introduction to Development Studies, 4th Edition. ISBN 978-1138794306.
TODARO, M. P. – SMITH, S. C. (2020): Economic Development, 13th Edition. ISBN 978-1292291154.
KINGSBURY, D. et al. (2016): International Development. Issues and Challenges, 3rd Edition. ISBN 978-1-137-42940-7.
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AND EUROPEAN AFFAIRS OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC (2025): Medium-Term Strategy for Development Cooperation of the Slovak Republic for 2025-2030.
Official websites SlovakAid, OECD, United Nations, European Union and others.
Syllabus
1. Basic terminology, tools and forms of development aid implementation, motives for providing aid, and economic importance of international development cooperation 2. Major development challenges in Africa, Asia and Latin America 3. Introduction to development project management 4. Countries providing development assistance (official donors, emerging donors), international organizations and institutions dedicated to development cooperation 5. The role of non-governmental organizations and private sector in the field of international development cooperation 6. Development policy of the European Union 7. Development cooperation of the Slovak Republic – historical overview, institutional framework, territorial and sectoral focus, challenges of Slovak development policy 8. Analysis of selected development projects implemented under the SlovakAid brand 9. Development diplomacy and its implementation in practice 10. Aid for Trade, business partnership programs and other development initiatives 11. The importance of international development assistance using an example of selected recipient country 12. Sustainable development and international cooperation in achieving Sustainable Development Goals 13. Presentation of students’ development projects
Requirements to complete the course
10% of the overall assessment corresponds to an activity at seminars during the study part of the semester, 30% of the overall assessment consists of the development of a project plan in the field of development cooperation and its presentation, 60% of the overall assessment is in the form of a written exam
Student workload
156 hours, out of which participation in seminars 52h, preparation for seminars 52h, development of a project plan in the field of development cooperation and preparation for its presentation 28h, preparation for the final exam 24h
Language whose command is required to complete the course
English
Date of approval: 20.02.2025
Date of the latest change: 10.04.2025