This week, I had the privilege of speaking in two panels organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, both dedicated to a pressing question: What should the future of development cooperation look like?
The conversations were not abstract exercises; they cut to the heart of how countries, institutions, and communities engage with one another in a world facing unprecedented challenges.
Mutual Respect and Localized Solutions
In the first panel, my focus was on the elements that must remain central in reimagined cooperation between countries. I argued that development should not be conditioned by political agendas but should instead be grounded in mutual respect and mutual benefit. When cooperation is framed this way, it opens the space for real transformation rather than dependency.
A key theme that emerged is the localization of solutions. Communities must not be treated as passive recipients of aid, but as active architects of their futures. Development is most meaningful when it grows from within, reflecting the lived realities and knowledge of those directly affected.
From International to Global Development
The second panel invited reflection on the institutional and organizational fundamentals required for sustainable cooperation. I emphasized the importance of moving beyond the donor–recipient binaries that often define international development and towards a more inclusive vision of global development.
This means acknowledging that governments are important actors, but they are far from the only ones. Youth groups, underserved populations, and marginalized communities must be recognized as central to both designing and implementing development strategies.
Flexibility in a Fast-Changing World
Another vital point concerns flexibility and adaptability. The contexts in which development takes place are shifting rapidly—economically, politically, and environmentally. Bureaucratic inertia should not prevent meaningful solutions from reaching people on the ground. For cooperation to remain relevant, it must be capable of responding to change.
Looking Ahead
I am deeply grateful to my fellow speakers—Yasmine Aburaya, Shamim Wasii Nyanda, Karabo Mokgonyana, Haroon Sheikh, Sara Kinsbergen, Stephanie Wellink, and Jurriaan Middelhoff—the organizers, and the Ministry for creating this space for reflection. For me, these discussions were enriched by my academic background in Applied International Development and my professional experiences with the United Nations and through my work with ToRead, where we focus on youth engagement at both local and global levels.
The panels left me with a conviction: if development cooperation is to meet the challenges of our time, it must be built on solidarity, adaptability, and local ownership.
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