The Global South in International Development | Rafia Afsar | TEDxBergenCountyAcademies

Summary

In this talk, Rafael, a 23-year-old Indian working in international development, challenges the stereotypical portrayal of developing countries as impoverished and in need of saving. He discusses the historical roots of international development, which often perpetuated power imbalances and dependencies. Rafael advocates for a more inclusive and empowering approach to development, emphasizing the need to address global issues collectively and to recognize the existence of developmental problems in both developing and developed countries. He calls on the new generation to reshape the narrative around development to achieve true equality and global progress.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The speaker, Rafael, emphasizes the pervasiveness of stereotypical images of impoverished children from developing countries in media, which can evoke mixed emotions of sadness, guilt, and discomfort.
• 🎥 The impact of movies like 'Slumdog Millionaire', despite their acclaim, is critiqued for reinforcing negative stereotypes of countries like India, overshadowing their complexities and realities.
• 🌱 Rafael, with experience in international development, challenges the one-dimensional portrayal of the 'global south' as merely impoverished, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of these regions.
• 🏛️ The historical roots of international development are explored, highlighting how it was used as a tool by colonial powers to impose their values and create dependencies, which still influences current perceptions.
• 🔄 The transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is discussed, noting the shift towards more inclusive and globally shared responsibilities.
• 🌱 The speaker calls for a reevaluation of the narrative around development, urging for a focus on empowering local governments and leaders in developing countries rather than perpetuating a savior-victim dynamic.
• 🌍 The importance of recognizing that development issues are not confined to the 'global south' is stressed, with the speaker pointing out that problems like poverty and inequality exist in developed countries as well.
• 📽️ The speaker criticizes the continued use of stereotypical images of developing countries in development discussions, suggesting that this practice overlooks the diversity and complexity of these regions.
• 💡 Rafael encourages the audience, particularly the younger generation, to rethink their perceptions of development and to use their influence to reshape the narrative, promoting a more equal and informed dialogue.
• 🌟 The ultimate goal of international development, as presented by the speaker, is to achieve a state where all countries have equal living standards, which requires challenging and changing the current power imbalances and stereotypes.

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker raises about the portrayal of developing countries in media?

The speaker raises the issue of stereotyping developing countries as impoverished and in need of saving, which perpetuates a power imbalance and overlooks the complexity and diversity of these nations.

How does the speaker feel when he encounters visuals of impoverished children from developing countries?

The speaker feels a mix of sadness, guilt, and discomfort, as these visuals often oversimplify the reality and reinforce stereotypes.

What impact did the movie 'Slumdog Millionaire' have on the speaker's perception of his home country, India?

The movie increased the stereotype of India as a poor country with widespread slums, which the speaker found both incorrect and uncomfortable, as it painted an incomplete picture of his country.

What is the historical context of international development mentioned by the speaker?

The speaker mentions that international development has roots in colonialism, where western imperial countries used development as a tool for conquest and resource extraction.

What is the 'White Man's Burden' and how does it relate to the speaker's discussion?

The 'White Man's Burden' is a poem by Rudyard Kipling that encourages western intervention in non-western societies for 'civilizing' them, which the speaker relates to the historical roots of international development and the perpetuation of stereotypes.

What is the difference between the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals as discussed by the speaker?

The Millennium Development Goals were primarily focused on developing countries and specific issues like health, education, and poverty. In contrast, the Sustainable Development Goals are more inclusive, addressing a broader range of themes and are intended to be global goals applicable to all countries.

Why does the speaker argue that the portrayal of development issues should not be limited to developing countries?

The speaker argues that limiting the portrayal of development issues to developing countries perpetuates the stereotype that these problems do not exist in developed countries, which is not true and hinders a holistic approach to solving global issues.

What is the speaker's suggestion for a more equitable approach to international development?

The speaker suggests empowering local governments and grassroots leaders in developing countries, acknowledging the imperialistic nature of current development practices, and focusing on the issues rather than the geographical location.

How does the speaker feel about the continued use of stereotypical images of developing countries in development discussions?

The speaker is frustrated and believes that the continued use of such images reinforces harmful narratives and overlooks the presence of similar issues in developed countries.

What does the speaker encourage the audience to do in order to change the narrative around development?

The speaker encourages the audience to think critically about development issues, consider the context and history of the problems, and to use their influence, particularly through social media and technology, to reshape the narrative and promote a more inclusive and accurate understanding of global development.