Learning objectives
The course aims to achieve the following objectives in relation to specific educational indicators:
a. Knowledge and understanding: The course aims to provide the main keys to understanding international development cooperation policies, with particular reference to the agri-food sector and sustainable value chains.
b. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. Students will develop the ability to analyze the main factors that determine international development cooperation interventions in the agri-food sector.
c. Judgment autonomy. Students will develop a critical sense in the analysis of international development cooperation projects and interventions.
d. Ability to learn. The study method provided includes moments of frontal lessons, group work, individual analysis and discussion.
Prerequisites
None
Course unit content
The course aims to offer students an introduction to the main aspects of international development cooperation in the agri-food sector, with particular attention to the concepts of sustainable development and the partnership approach.
The course presents the main policies and characteristics of the actors involved in cooperation interventions and illustrates the concept of sustainable development in the economic, social and environmental dimensions.
Using interactive and participatory methods and based on an operational and practical approach, real case studies of cooperation projects in the agri-food sector will be analyzed, to identify good practices based on sustainability.
Full programme
- Introduction to international development cooperation in the agri-food sector: main policies and actors (governmental and non-governmental)
- Sustainability (economic, social, environmental) in agriculture: the new challenges for Agroecology and Organic Agriculture
- Sustainable agri-food value chains: value creation strategies; focus on small producers (smallholders)
- Best practices and case studies: selected examples of sustainable agri-food chains focused on various products (cocoa, coffee, tea and others), in various Regions (Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America) and implemented with a Public Private Partnerships approach ( PPPs).
Bibliography
The teaching material includes the presentations used during the lessons; the documents analyzed during the discussion of the case studies; selected readings and any other additional material indicated by the teacher. All relevant materials will be distributed to students via the Elly online platform.
FAO; Developing Sustainable Food Value Chains: Guiding Principles; 2014.
Teaching methods
Case study analysis
Class discussions (Flipped classroom)
Group work
Seminars with experts
Visits to organizations operating in the field of international development cooperation
Assessment methods and criteria
Learning will be evaluated based on the analysis of a development cooperation project focused on agri-food chains. The analysis will consist of a practical and a theoretical part.
The practical part will consist in the drafting of a written report, structured on the basis of the formats currently used in international cooperation projects.
The theoretical part will consist in the presentation and discussion in class of the analysis carried out, using interactive methods to facilitate discussion with the teacher and other students.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
The course will make reference to the Objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs), particularly referring to those pertinent to international development cooperation in the agri-food sector.
