Aid, power, and politics

As Western governments scale back their development commitments in favour of military spending and deterrence, the global aid landscape is undergoing a profound shift.

This session will examine how the retreat from development assistance, particularly by the US and UK, reshapes power dynamics, alliances, and the role of emerging donors such as China and the Gulf states. With an increasing emphasis on hard power and security-driven foreign policy, is there still space for development and democracy promotion in an era of heightened geopolitical tensions? Can human security, governance, and long-term stability be sustained in a world where conflict preparedness takes precedence over investment in sustainable peace?

Experts from international development and security fields will debate whether traditional aid models can adapt or if a fundamental recalibration of development strategies is required. 

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