Since the early 2000s, China has experimented with a range of development-oriented diplomatic initiatives based on multilateral regionalism. One of these initiatives is the Macau Forum, a grouping...Show moreSince the early 2000s, China has experimented with a range of development-oriented diplomatic initiatives based on multilateral regionalism. One of these initiatives is the Macau Forum, a grouping created in 2003 that brings China together with nine lusophone countries to promote economic and trade exchanges. This case study investigates China’s motives for creating and maintaining this multilateral project and examines perceptions from its lusophone participants. The significance of this analysis is that it provides a more granular understanding of the rationale and results of China’s ever-increasing promotion of alternative international development cooperation frameworks in the Global South. To research this topic, I relied primarily on historically-contextualised discourse analysis of primary material from diplomatic and academic sources. Results of this analysis reveal that China was motivated (1) to promote and test out a Chinese vision of development cooperation, (2) to strengthen Macau’s integration with mainland China and (3) to secure Beijing's diplomatic recognition among lusophone countries. Commentary from lusophone diplomats, however, highlights the lack of perceived concrete benefits for the Macau Forum’s participant members. On this basis, the Macau Forum can be likened to other China-led multilateral regional initiatives, such as the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), that are balanced asymmetrically in China’s favour.Show less
This thesis examines how the humanitarian sector is integrating various data technologies into its work. Innovation offers enormous opportunities for the sector, yet also brings with it new risks....Show moreThis thesis examines how the humanitarian sector is integrating various data technologies into its work. Innovation offers enormous opportunities for the sector, yet also brings with it new risks. Technological innovation is, and will in the foreseeable future continue to be, inextricably linked to partnering with the private sector. This fits in a larger pattern where private sector involvement is becoming increasingly important in humanitarian aid. In this process, private sector norms are increasingly adopted for governing precarity. The research examines the mode of deployment of technologies through a case study of the WFP in Yemen. The Houthi faction’s refusal to accept biometric identity systems there led to a temporary partial suspension of food aid. This deployment is considered through the framework of the humanitarian principles, and finds that the WFP is jeopardizing both the lives of the most vulnerable people and the sector’s sustained access to conflict and disasters. These findings are interpreted through a theoretical framework, focusing on the marketization of multilateralism in the time of surveillance capitalism. The research establishes a technodeterminist reliance on data, represented as neutral reflections of complex realities. The belief in the abilities and necessity of these technologies to maximize impact and efficiency comes as the cost of agency, privacy, and sovereignty. This thesis ultimately argues for recentering humanitarian action and innovation on the humanitarian principles, in order to maintain the legitimate authority of the sector and to safeguard the wellbeing of its beneficiaries.Show less
This study provides a comparative case study on the role of the World Bank on post-conflict development. The selected cases are Ethiopia and Eritrea, that split after the war of independence in...Show moreThis study provides a comparative case study on the role of the World Bank on post-conflict development. The selected cases are Ethiopia and Eritrea, that split after the war of independence in 1993. This study researches the development paths of both countries, the approaches taken by the World Bank in both Ethiopia and Eritrea as well as in the international context, and the other development actors at play. In this study is revealed that the approaches of and the impact of the World Bank have been significantly influenced by other variables: domestic governance, international relations, and the global economy. These factors led to the fact that the impact of the World Bank has been marginalized in both countries.Show less
The research concentrates on the comprehensiveness of the EU crisis management. It is examined whether the EU is using the comprehensive approach effectively. With the term ‘effectively’ is meant...Show moreThe research concentrates on the comprehensiveness of the EU crisis management. It is examined whether the EU is using the comprehensive approach effectively. With the term ‘effectively’ is meant whether the approach has successful outcomes. The conflict in Mali is used as a case study to answer the research question. The research question of the master thesis is: ‘Did the European Union manage the Malian conflict with an effective comprehensive approach?’ In other words, did the EU have an integrated policy towardsMali with successful results?Show less
Since the onset of the European project, there has been a pronounced tendency to work with the African continent – from trade arrangements through development cooperation, and more recently...Show moreSince the onset of the European project, there has been a pronounced tendency to work with the African continent – from trade arrangements through development cooperation, and more recently incorporating intensified political dialogue and a human rights dimension. In the year of 2000 the Cotonou Agreement ushered in a new phase in the EU-ACP relations: the EU undertook negotiations on a new framework – Economic Partnership Agreements – for its relationship with the ACP region. The EPAs combine trade, development and human rights dimensions, but also work toward the ultimate goal of ‘eradication of poverty’. Adopting Normative Power Europe as a theoretical framework, the thesis includes a comparative politics methodology and investigates the EPA implications for human rights in three African states. The findings confirm that the EU holds regular dialogue and actively encourages human rights promotion in Africa but is wary to invoke essential elements clauses and suspend aid when it comes to its strategic partners or trading concerns.Show less
