Challenging Hegemony in Development

In celebration of International Development week, Coady teaching staff member Digafie Debalke facilitated a dialogue on peace and conflict transformation. This event featured six Pathy Foundation Fellows who are mid-way through their fellowship years completing their social change initiatives in Morrocco, Indonesia, South Africa, Guatemala, Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. The Fellows spoke about how climate emergency, unjust economic order, and deeply polarized political discourse are presenting challenges and redefining what ‘development’ should be to foster a sustainable future for the planet and humanity. View the recording below.

Over the last few decades international development and development, itself have encountered greater scrutiny both from conceptual/theoretical framing and practical implementation point of view. Climate emergency, unjust economic order, and deeply polarizing and polarized political discourse all presented a challenge demanding a new approach and thorough interrogation of ‘development.’ Specifically, it’s impact on the natural world, inclusion, social cohesion peace and security of the local and global community. It is within this quest that some are grappling with reframing and redefining what ‘development’ should be to foster a sustainable future for the planet and humanity.

Featuring Pathy Fellows:

The Pathy Foundation Fellowship is an intensive, 12-month, experiential learning opportunity for graduating university students across Canada who have an idea for social change in a community they have a meaningful connection with, anywhere in the world.

Fellows are provided with comprehensive training, dedicated support, and $50,000 in funding to make a sustainable impact in their chosen community and to support their growth as active and effective leaders and change-makers.