Rethinking Development in the Context of a Changing Global Order
Link Gallery : Graduation Ceremony, June 26th, 2026 by Professor Laura Hammond
Rethinking Development in the Context of a Changing Global Order
Link Gallery : Graduation Ceremony, June 26th, 2026 by Professor Laura Hammond
On the occasion of the Graduation Ceremony of CERIS, Professor Laura Hammond, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange and Professor of Development Studies at SOAS – University of London, delivered a conference on the “Rethinking Development in the Context of a Changing Global Order.” on Friday June 26th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. The ceremony took place in the presence of many ambassadors, the President of Academic Board of CERIS (Since 2016) Professor Baron Marc Bossuyt, the President of Executive Board of CERIS (Since 2022) Professor Guy Olivier Faure, the Vice President of CERIS (Since 2021) Nicholas Williams, the General Secretary of CERIS Ms. Nadia Karorero and the Director of CERIS Mr. Nicolas Cornil.
“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)
