Agent of change

by Nicole Findlay

Assisting developing countries requires more than just financial investment and the good will of the world’s powerful.

Often overlooked are ethical best practices in development projects and processes.

Jay Drydyk, an ethicist and associate professor in the Department of Philosophy, examines how human rights, justice and democracy can be understood from global and cross-cultural perspectives.

Drydyk acknowledges that corruption and the marginalization of the poor are problems in both developed and developing countries. However, he feels the ramifications can be especially ruinous to developing countries where poverty is prevalent.

“When elites exclude people from development decisions, and when they enrich themselves by favourable contracts or even misallocation of funds, they are abusing the positions they hold, in other words, they are exploiting people,” said Drydyk. “While this is resented by many people, there is also some lack of confidence about finding alternatives and solutions.”

To address these, and other ethical issues associated with development, a group of philosophers from Makerere University in Uganda submitted a proposal to host the International Development Ethics Association’s Seventh International Conference on Ethics and International Development. Drydyk devoted time from his sabbatical to the organization of the international program and fundraising initiatives.

Development researchers, academics, government, non-government and industry representatives presented papers intended to address the ethics of development. The impact of globalization on economic exploitation, corruption, and accountability were among the topics addressed.

In addition to providing an opportunity for analysis and education, participants examined alternative strategies for development ethics.

“We hope that people who attend the conference, especially from East Africa will leave not only feeling that they better understand the problems, but also feeling more confident in each other as agents of change.”

Carleton’s Centre on Values and Ethics (COVE), the Dean of FASS, the Canadian International Development Agency, and the International Development Research Centre provided funding for the conference.