The Graduation Ceremony of the CERIS-ULB Diplomatic School of Brussels (CERIS), to be held on Friday, June 26th, 2026, at 6:00 pm. On this occasion, Professor Laura Hammond, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange and Professor of Development Studies at SOAS – University of London, will deliver a conference entitled “Rethinking Development in the Context of a Changing Global Order.“
“The current moment presents grave challenges to those studying, teaching, researching and working in development and its related fields. The closure of USAID, the defunding of the United Nations and its implementing NGOs, cutting of research budgets relating to climate change, social justice, human rights, and diversity, equality and inclusion both domestically and internationally, and restrictions on immigration all present existential challenges to the work that we do. Or do they? I argue here that there has never been a more important time to study and research these dynamics. The social, political and economic challenges that we are experiencing now will transform what we understand as developmental processes, how they happen, who controls them, and who benefits from them. Our engagement with development may need to change – and some would argue that change is long overdue – but this is no time to look away.” Professor Laura Hammond (SOAS-University of London)
The conferment of Certificates and a reception (20:00pm -22:00 pm).