In this thesis I investigate the role of Dutch policy makers and researchers during the United Nations Decade for women from 1975-1985 with the following research question: Why did Dutch...Show moreIn this thesis I investigate the role of Dutch policy makers and researchers during the United Nations Decade for women from 1975-1985 with the following research question: Why did Dutch development policy focused on women (WAD) experience progress and momentum during the UN Decade forWomen (1975-1985)? The theoretical framework consists of a history of ideas perspective combined with development cooperation theory. In order to track the development of Women and Development (WAD) paradigms over time I use a method combining archival research consisting of correspondence, policy papers, and official documents with interviews. I have interviewed ten individuals who all contributed significantly to the developments of the Decade. The stories of their lived experiences provide important interpretations of the Decade’s proceedings. Moreover, they have allowed for a new perspective on the Decade that stands in contrast to the dominant historiographical narrative on the subject. Using this framework I illustrate the significant progress achieved during the Decade and underline the contributions of Dutch women working in the WAD field. I explore the factors that led to their achieved momentum, including strong interpersonal relationships, their frontrunner role on the international stage, instances of support from individuals within the ministry, and individual finesse. Furthermore, I investigate the implementation of the policy. Specifically the reasons for the negative narrative that has been created around the outcomes ofWAD policy. Through the used perspective I show that there are unexplored angles of measuring implementation that provide a more positive view of the developments of the Decade. I also explore the role and perspectives of African women, by which I highlight perception of policy and further explore the outcomes of the policy formulated during the Decade. The research underlines the significant role of individual agency and national and intercontinental women’s networks in furthering WAD aims.Show less
The late 20th century has seen a rise of debates on the real effectiveness of international development cooperation programmes, at least in the way they were conceived and implemented starting from...Show moreThe late 20th century has seen a rise of debates on the real effectiveness of international development cooperation programmes, at least in the way they were conceived and implemented starting from the first post-WWII decades. The main outcome of these ongoing discussions has been the urgency of a “paradigm change” in development cooperation, in order to enhance its social impact and increase the resources dedicated to it. In chapter two, which is about my conceptual framework, I discuss this change more in detail. It implies shifting from a model based on unilateral actions from governments, public society organisations or private actors, in favour of multi-stakeholder collaborations between these three categories of actors, to pool together their specific resources and expertise towards the achievement of development goals. Chapter three is dedicated to presenting the emergence of this new paradigm of development cooperation, as well as the historical reasons that led to it, and how it is presently being implemented in the form of cross-sector collaborations. Of the latter, we will focus on the case of public-private partnerships and specifically on their application as instruments of blended finance, explaining the origins and the definitions of the concept and its potential advantages – as well as limits – compared to pure public or private development interventions. Chapter four will present a case study of a public-private partnership established between Dutch development agency “Aqua for All”, and Kenyan company “Hydroponics Africa”, for the realisation of a development project in the area of Nairobi and its surroundings. After introducing the project, we will evaluate the strong points and the shortcomings of Aqua for All’s approach to development cooperation in relation to the project at hand. This will be done by analysing the outcomes of interviews conducted with Hydroponics Africa’s CEO, directly involved in the elaboration and implementation of the partnership, as well as the people targeted by the project, to assess its results in terms of social impact.Show less
This study examines what the effects are of the Ministy of Foregeign Affairs’ MFS-II programme on the development policy of three Dutch NGDOs. This study will make use of a case study that focuses...Show moreThis study examines what the effects are of the Ministy of Foregeign Affairs’ MFS-II programme on the development policy of three Dutch NGDOs. This study will make use of a case study that focuses on the relationship between the MoFA and Dutch NGDOs that are active in Uganda. Based on this case study it will be examined what the consequences are for the programmes of the organisations that receive funding out of the MFS-II progamme of the Dutch MoFA.Show less
