Preparing the international development job market for the future – integrating perspectives and knowledge from recent graduates, training institutions and employers

Veranstaltungsart
Workshop

Ort / Datum
Bonn, 24.03.2025

EADI, SLE and IDOS

The international development labour market, including in Germany, is undergoing significant changes, especially at the entry level. The sector is facing significant pressure, both financially and due to the current political and public discourse. Moreover, the current international system is marked by global power shifts and systemic competition. Recent graduates are driven by different motivations than previous generations, including but not limited to concerns about work-life balance and decolonial perspectives. In addition, evolving technologies and development policies may require new skills from graduates, challenging educational institutions that offer traditional development programmes. As a result, training programmes may need to rethink how their curricula respond to a changing international system and the need for global transformation to sustainability, emphasising practical skills alongside academic rigour – while also taking into account changing expectations and space for critical discussion among students. In order to bring together the different trends, expectations and needs of all stakeholders, it is necessary to initiate discussions on the following issues: 

• What motivates young professionals to (not) pursue a career in international development? What do they expect from their employer and their study programme? 
• What are trends across study programmes? How have students’ expectations changed over time and how have institutions responded? What new skills and competences should be considered in the light of changes in the profession? 
• What are the trends in the professional field, especially with regard to entry positions and young candidates? How have organisations already responded to these trends? How can organisations (and traditional jobs) become more attractive to young graduates? 

The strategic meeting, co-organised by EADI, SLE, and IDOS will bring together recent graduates, representatives of training institutions and development organisations. The workshop will include short insights from experts and engaging activities to stimulate dialogue and explore innovative solutions to address the above challenges in the development sector.

Hinweis

Während unserer Veranstaltungen werden z.T. Foto- und/oder Filmaufnahmen gemacht, die für Zwecke der Veranstaltungsberichterstattung und allgemeinen Öffentlichkeitsarbeit in verschiedenen Medien veröffentlicht werden. Sie haben jederzeit das Recht, die Foto- oder Videograf*innen darauf hinzuweisen, dass Sie nicht aufgenommen werden möchten. / During our events photos and/or videos may be taken which may be published in various media for the purposes of documentation and PR activities. You have the right at any time to point out to the photographer or videographer that you do not want to be photographed or filmed.