IHE Delft Wicked Debate - 30 May 2017
Channel: UNESCO-IHE Archive
Date: 2017-06-01

IHE Delft Wicked Debate - 30 May 2017
"Changing dynamics of development aid in the age of climate change (and Trump): activism, solidarity and science"  https://www.un-ihe.org/ihe-delft-wicked-debate

We are living in an interesting time of climate change, technological breakthroughs and extremes in political dynamics. These have a direct impact on the sustainable development that will shape our future. We in the Institute believe in sustainable development and are working towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. In order spark discussion and kindle interest in the SDGs, Staff the PhD community has kick started the “Water and Development” knowledge initiative. IHE Delft invite you to the first WICKED debate on “Water and Development”, which is being organized as part of the 60th Anniversary celebrations of IHE Delft.
Topic of the Debate: Changing dynamics of development aid in the age of climate change (and Trump): activism, solidarity and science
Problem statement: Development orthodoxy has been unable to deal with the wickedness of water, energy, food and climate issues.
Two well informed and renowned speakers Dr. Dipak Gyawali and Prof.Dr. Kenneth Irvine will debate the role of development orthodoxy in dealing with the wickedness of water, energy flood and climate issues. 
Development orthodoxy has been unable to deal with the wickedness of water, energy, food and climate issues – Dr. Dipak Gyawali.
Sustainable development resolves the wickedness of water, energy food and climate issues – Prof. Dr. Kenneth Irvine. 
Programme
17.00: Word of Welcome and Introduction by Prof. Margreet Zwarteween
17.10: Failure of developmental orthodoxy in dealing with wicked issues – Dr. Dipak Gyawali
17.30: Success of sustainable development in resolving wicked issues – Prof. Dr. Kenneth Irvine
17.50: Debate: Was development orthodoxy able to deal with the wickedness of water, energy, food and climate issues.
18.10: Public discussions and questions
18.30: Closing remarks and thanks by Mohanasundar Radhakrishnan, PhD Fellow
18.35 – 19.15 : Drinks and socialising 
About the Debaters
Dr. Dipak Gyawali is the former water resource minister of Nepal, a country where development aid contributions have always formed a significant part of the national budget.  Dipak is a prolific debater, who regularly engages in public conversations with others about contemporary questions to do with water and climate change, always from a distinct Nepal perspective - see for instance Trump and Climate Change or Climate Finance. Dipak proposed to give a talk inspired by a recent book that he co-edited, which critically reviews Nepal's experiences with development aid: Aid, Technology and Development, Lessons from Nepal (Book).
Prof. Dr. Kenneth Irvine is a professor of aquatic systems at IHE Delft. Kenneth has spent a considerable amount of time working on the intricacies of policy and ecology to support the implementation of EU Water Framework Directive. His research interest is about the complexities and wicked problems of sustainable use of water and ecosystems. He has contributed towards capacity building; aligning skills and policies towards sustainable development; strengthening water governance in global south and linking ecology with social development.