Dr Salmah Eva-Lina Lawrence
Conceptualising Decolonisation for Development
Why, when we are in the postcolonial 21st century, are there still demands for decolonisation?
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This course will examine this question from the perspective of the Majority World.
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The course objective is to enable the development of a common understanding between Majority and minority worlds of ‘decolonisation’, a word that has been used quite liberally of late across the international development sector. Without conceptual clarity how can one be sure one understands the issues that drive demands for decolonisation? And if one does not understand the problem, how can one generate solutions? Only when we share a common understanding can we begin to collectively reimagine what development practice can look like.
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Please note that although this course is titled Conceptualising Decolonisation for Development, the content is relevant to anybody from any sector who wishes to understand why decolonisation continues to be an issue not just for Majority World nations, but also for First Nations’ and other indigenous peoples.
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Conceptualising Decolonisation for Development is a preparatory course for the next in the series titled Practising Decolonisation in Development: Transformative Ways of Being and Doing.
Format
The format of Conceptualising Decolonisation for Development is nine modules offered through the app Soundwise. Each one-hour module is comprised of several podcast-style lectures, with a couple of webinars with guest lecturers in lieu of podcasts. There are also two x two-hour Zoom sessions to discuss set texts. The specific texts will be provided to you as PDF files.
A detailed schedule and topic list is available on enrolment. Some of the topics to be covered include:
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Why are we talking about decolonisation in the 2020s?
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Decolonising our language
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What is decoloniality? Or transformative v performative decolonisation
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The coloniality of race and gender
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Let’s dialogue - A conversation about race (Zoom discussion of set texts including a chapter from Khan, Themrise, Dickson, Kanakulya & Sondarjee, Maïka (eds) 2023. White Saviorism in International Development: Theories, Practices and Lived Experiences: Daraja Press.)
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Cultural fluency, indigenisation, and translation in international development
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Expertise v legitimacy in international development
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Some principles of decoloniality for transformative decolonisation
The 2024 course will commence on 01 October 2024. Enrolments can happen at any time up to July 31 2025 but note that participation in the webinars and other Zoom sessions will not be possible if you enrol after the date of these particular sessions.
Who is this course for?
Anyone connected to the development sector and anyone with an interest in furthering their understanding of de/colonisation and racial in/justice.
What languages will CDD be available in?
English will be available from October 2023.
Tok Pisin, French and Spanish will also be made available in time. They will not include Zoom sessions or live Q&A.
IMPORTANT ENROLMENT INFORMATION
The podcast-based modules are offered through the app mySoundwise. After
checkout you will be asked for your email address - you will use this email
to access the app. You may need to check your junk email for your registration email which will contain instructions for downloading the app.
All course materials will be provided in the app. In the app, when you select
an audio file by tapping on the file name (not the play button), you will
see options for liking, commenting, as well as a paperclip icon under which
pdf files will be available. You will find the course schedule and
timetable under this icon. You may find it easier to view these pdf files
on a screen larger than your mobile screen in which case you will need to
download the app to your other device. These files are also available via a Dropbox link provided at registration.
