Programme 2017

Natural resources are substances such as minerals, forests and water that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain. The rise of global consumption comes with a growing need for countries to access resources, which are often located in developing countries. How does the global South deal with this assumed advantage? Does it benefit the well-being of all people? And how can the exploitation and use of resources be made more sustainable? Throughout this series of debates we will touch upon current dynamics and explore the related discussions.

• Tuesday 10 October: Natural resources in the 21st century
   
• Tuesday 17 October: Large dams for development: reality or myth?
   
• Tuesday 24 October: Artisanal diamond mining and opportunities for development
   
• Tuesday 7 November: A smart what? Investigating the global impact of ten years of smartphones
   
• Tuesday 21 November: The struggle against poaching: a problem of enforcement?
   
• Tuesday 28 November: The next Asia? Globalization, dependence and African development
   
• Tuesday 5 December: Low-value, low-conflict? Mining ‘neglected’ development minerals
   
• Tuesday 12 December: Payments for ecosystem services: gambling on nature?