28 October 2020 – The China-Europe expert dialogue on “Innovating International Development Co-operation Knowledge” was co-organized by the College of International Development and Global Agriculture (CIDGA), China International Development Research Network (DIDRN), and Institute of Development Studies(IDS). The 8 distinguished experts and scholars from CIDRN, EU Delegation to China, OECD Development Center, China Agricultural University, Fudan University, etc. gathered to share their views on the topic of innovating international development knowledge.
The meeting was moderated by Prof. Richard Carey, who is the Former OECD Director for Development Cooperation, Chair of International Advisory Committee of CIDRN. He raised the main questions regarding the thematic dialogue as, how could we think of and conduct development cooperation in innovative ways? On this panel discussion, experts not only shared their insights of what is changing but presented an open-minded dialogue with innovative ideas and concepts.
Fundamental and Crucial: Knowledge and Knowledge-production
Mr. Gong Sen, the Executive Vice-President of Centre for International Knowledge on Development (CIKD) and Research Fellow of the Development Research Center of the State Council, China, shared the CIKD`s knowledge management strategy. He firstly introduced CIKD’S mandate in research associated with development theories and practice suitable to respective national conditions via communication. In terms of knowledge production strategy, the past five years witnessed the different best-fit strategies under Chinese context as well as outside knowledge incorporation (the UN SDGs) and the joint study with Oxford and IDS. The practices in the process were emphasized with ‘the balance between a preset theoretical framework defined by economics, political sciences and sociology’. To learn ‘out-door’ knowledge and maintain self-reliance are equally important.
Ms. Kelly Ellen, the development councilor in the EU delegation to China emphasized the significance of data in knowledge creation and sharing. She pointed out the crucial data about general water resources management by Mekong River Commission. Meanwhile, the proper presentation and interpretation of the right data are as significant as need to be in a ‘usable form’.
What Is New? New Relation, New System, New Ways of Thinking and Doing
Mr. Mario Pezzini, Director of Development Center, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD) stated the need for different views on international development and stressed the need for a new system of cooperation. From the increasing discontent of people, lack of social protection from health services and limited fiscal capacity, he revealed that the situation is getting worse under the context of the current pandemic we are confronting. While some developing countries have been starting to define the new development model. With a history review of actors contributed in international development in the past 50 years, he clearly called for more actors. Private actors, NGOs who can provide ideas need to be around the table. Mr. Mario also stated that the regional dimension might be a starting point to put the efforts in place.
Similarly, Mr. Jorge Moreira da Silva, Director of the Development Co-operation Directorate for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD-DAC, shared that two issues shouldn't be avoided. First, the current crisis needs to be integrated with the sustainability dimension. Second, solidarity and cooperation are needed rather than focusing on rescuing the own economy of each individual country. Three elements are included in his talk which could benefit and enhance development cooperation: 1) Triangular cooperation stressing climate and environment; 2) “Leaving no one behind” including gender equality as focused agenda; 3) Better link and cooperation to be built, and it is ‘unfinished business’ for all of us.
Prof. Tang Shiping, the Chair Professor at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University, illustrated his “New Development Triangle” （NDT）theory. This notion combining the role of state capacity, policy, and institution in promoting development, provides a ‘revolutionary approach’ to understand the fundamental question (challenge) for developing countries, ‘how to become a developmental state’. It is also significant to understand countries in different historical periods and development phases. Prof. Tang also points out the information and decision-making capacity of state are important but it was usually ignored in conventional wisdom. And we need to `differentiate state capacity from governance’. Apart from that, building on realizing the limit of demanding econometric evidence for internal linkages in this triangle, he suggests focusing on developing countries from the post-1960s for further work on international development challenges, which might induce more innovative ways.
Prof. David Hulme, Professor of Development Studies at the University of Manchester. Executive Director of the Global Development Institute, CEO of the Effective States and Inclusive Development Research Center started his sharing by reflecting on the similar questions asked by today's` participants, `how states can be more effective and how that can contribute to inclusive development`. As the complex and diverse things happen in different countries, Prof. David tries to narrow down to norms of ‘Three Cs’ to discuss today’s topic:
- Context – a particular country requires a particular process of knowledge co-production and long-term partnerships.
- State Capacity – ‘you don’t need comprehensive capacity, you just need states to develop certain key capacities over time. Take the example of Bangladesh, who managed to confront disaster and enhance nutrition stability, moving on growth.’
- Coalitions – It‘s building on creating these partnerships`. Reviewing the recent history of China, the innovation lies in the partnership of the central state and the provinces and the local authorities who create entrepreneurial capacities.
Pro. Li Xiaoyun, Chair Professor of China Agriculture University, Honorary Dean of College of International Development, and Global Agriculture shared two innovative development cases. For 5 years, Prof. Li had stayed in the village where he dedicated to working for improving the living situation there. During the period of time, he witnessed how the government takes action in cooperating with NGOs to make a change. The ‘rural tourism’ is a developed program in these villages attracting outside visitors. And the case had been widely disseminated in China as a successful case for poverty eradication.
This webinar provides a wide range of development cooperation knowledge related insights. The interconnection of international development between environmental sustainability, relationship and cooperation, gender equality, state capacity, etc. are tapped into innovating development knowledge thinking. The enlightening dialogue presented by participants would contribute to further innovation and change in development research and work.