Masterclasses in Global Challenges (AMID)

Structure of the course

Module 1 - on campus (incl. lunch)

• The Partnership Paradox: Turning “Locally-led development” Into Practice
  Calls to decolonise aid and localise decision-making have never been louder. Yet organisations still struggle to share power in meaningful ways. This masterclass dives into the structural forces behind unequal partnerships and explores practical strategies for changing incentive structures, enhancing mutual accountability, and redesigning collaboration with local actors at the centre.
• Rethinking Aid: What Is the Future Role of Development Cooperation?
  Development finance is rapidly evolving: climate funds, remittances, philanthropic capital, blended finance, and corporate sustainability budgets increasingly dwarf traditional aid. By zooming out, we reassess where development aid remains essential — and where new forms of cooperation may be more relevant. Together we explore how the sector can reposition itself for credibility, political legitimacy, and long-term impact.

Module 2 - online

• The Impact and Evidence Revolution: Getting Beyond the Metrics Trap
  Demands for demonstrable impact continue to rise — accelerated by donors, auditors, and the SDGs. But the push for evidence can create perverse incentives, narrow decision-making, and privilege short-term results over systemic change. This session challenges the sector’s “measurement culture” and introduces pragmatic pathways for evidence-informed programming, including contribution analysis, adaptive learning, and collective outcomes.

Module 3 - on campus (incl. lunch)

• Empowering Change? The Promise and Pitfalls of AI in Global Development
  AI is reshaping everything from monitoring and evaluation to citizen engagement and data ethics. But what problems does it truly solve — and where does it amplify bias, exclusion, or dependency on tech vendors? This masterclass demystifies AI in international development, highlights emerging use-cases from digital public goods to humanitarian early-warning systems, and discusses the governance questions every organisation should ask before deploying AI.
• Climate Adaptation in Practice: Building Food and Water Resilience
  Climate shocks are already undermining development gains. Programmes must now deliver results in contexts defined by uncertainty, volatility, and shifting weather patterns. This session focuses on actionable adaptation approaches, including locally-led resilience planning, nature-based solutions, and climate-smart agriculture. Learn how to design interventions that remain robust when the climate does not.

Module 4 - online

• Diaspora Leadership: A Strategic Force for Localisation and Innovation
  Diaspora actors mobilise financial capital, social legitimacy, and political influence — often more effectively than external actors. Yet many organisations fail to engage them constructively. This masterclass explores how diaspora networks strengthen co-creation, accelerate innovation, and support localisation — while navigating questions of identity politics, representation, trust, and power.

Guest lecturers

Joining Willem Elbers and several international experts, the masterclasses will feature Dr. Zunera Rana, Dr. Lau Schulpen, and Dr. Luuk van Kempen from Radboud University.