Rethinking State-building in a Changing World

Over the past years, countless donor countries have begun to prioritize national interest over international solidarity. As the world turns inwards, aid flows have dried up and the future of development and peacebuilding has been called into question. While one could infer from these developments that state-building interventions are rapidly losing relevance, in fact, the opposite is the case. Armed conflict has reached peaks not seen since the Second World War. Defense spending ramps up, remaining aid is militarized, issues of national and international security, and control over borders and people dominate policy and practice. These are issues at the heart of the state-building agenda.

This new course premises that now more than ever, we need to be able to critically (re)assess and (re)design state-building programs in conflict-affected countries to ensure that future interventions do not add fuel to the fire. They should instead help lay the foundation for more accountable state institutions and inclusive societies.

Drawing on expert inputs, thematic discussions, and case studies on security, land and revenue, this course will provide you with the critical understanding and analytical tools necessary to ask the right questions and offer best practice examples to help plan effective state-building interventions.

As a participant, you will:
• Gain a critical understanding of the theories and practices of interventions that aim to build or reform state institutions
• Learn how to apply an analytical lens to practical case-studies on security, land, and revenue drawn from past interventions.
• Leave knowing how to ask critical questions to design better interventions
• Explore best practices and lessons learned from different contexts
• Have space to share challenges and experiences from your own work
• Become part of a community of practice.

Candidates must have:
• a university degree in a related discipline such as political science, law, economics, or sociology
• at least two years of professional experience
• a good command of English.

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