This course introduces key concepts in the NGO world by interrogating the notion of “good practices”. What does the term “good practices” entail? Who decides what are considered “good practices” in the NGO world and with what consequences to actors working on humanitarian,
development, and social entrepreneurism? Emphasis will be placed on understanding the vocabulary that frames action, on identifying the origins of emerging concepts and on illustrating them. We will do this for different facets of international solidarity: the joint worlds of humanitarianism, development, and human rights.
Objectives
• Define current concepts and practices that dominate the NGO environment (partnership, accountability, monitoring and evaluation, capacity development, knowledge management, gender transformation, decolonization of aide, etc...).
• Understand key issues related to those concepts and practices and engage in critical thinking.
• Present, illustrate and discuss these issues in depth, in English
The course consists in 4 sessions of 3 hours each. For each lesson, concepts and practices will be presented and discussed in depth with students’ participation through discussions of reading assignments, case studies, collective intelligence workshops.
Assessment and Final Grade
Group written assignment: Students will write a strategy to institutionalize one of the ‘good practices’ hereafter in their organization (5-8 pages max): women’s empowerment, decolonizing the organization, partnership, downwards accountability, gender transformation,
knowledge management, capacity development, community engagement. The IFRC Community Engagement and Accountability Strategy (2023-2025) will be made available on the course’s page and students can use it as an example.
Course Requirements
Presence and assigned readings are mandatory.
Participation counts for a bonus point.
Students must complete the assignment in due time.
Libraries
Practical information
