Most explanations for the bumpy post-independence trajectory of many countries in Africa and the Middle East presuppose the existence of an objective, universal development format, modelled on western European civilisational principles. Decolonising International Solidarity argues that the supposed universality of the civilisational model that was offered during and after colonisation in exchange for the resources of Africa and the Middle East was flawed, not only in its social, cultural, political, economic and historical underpinnings but also in its environmental assumptions. The latter is a dimension that has, surprisingly, received little attention in post-independence literature on colonisation. This natural environmental lens on development challenges also offers an innovative perspective on current issues of governance, agricultural development and environmental management, multiculturalism and migration in developing and rich countries. The book concludes with some proposals for a decolonised global solidarity framework that values rather than erases diversity.
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Examines how colonial powers disrupted African and Middle Eastern civilisations, creating lasting development challenges and argues that understanding the specific environmental and historical contexts in which civilisations developed can guide decolonised approaches to aid, governance, multiculturalism and global solidarity.
Paul C.Vossen, PhD, is a tropical agronomist and also holds a MSc in Conflict and Development. He lived and worked for over 30 years in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, Botswana and Burundi. The driving force behind authoring this book is trying to understand why "decolonisation" remains relevant to this day.
Yvan J. Biot, PhD (tropical soil science), supports communities in Scotland on place making, green energy and nature friendly land use. He lived and worked for over 30 years overseas in development cooperation, research and policy.
