Development Studies can be summed up as studying and understanding the issues concerning the developing nations of the world. It deals with the social and economic development and upliftment of these nations, as well as of the people who reside in these. It is a social sciences subject which is dedicated to not only learning but application of that learning.
The birth of this discipline of study dates back to the second half of the 20th century, when the problems of the third world nations emerged to the fore. It was a time when these nations were facing severe economic and social crisis, and this had to be resolved for the welfare of life on earth. It put a pressure on the developed nations, and thus development studies emerged as the necessity of the hour.
Development Studies include all issues that concern developing countries. Some commonly addressed problems include globalisation, inequality, gender relations, unemployment, poverty, population explosion, global warming, child survival and development, health and nutrition, maternity care, environment and sanitation, HIV/AIDS, etc.
Study of Development has become a field that today has a formal education system. Those who are concerned and interested can pursue Development Studies at the undergraduate and post graduate level. Further studies in this is also being sought after at the PhD level. Specialised colleges and institutes have and are being established to offer a course in Development Studies.
Students can opt from the variety of courses that are intrinsic to development studies. The streams of study are area studies, social policy, demography, development theory, development geography, development economics, development management, development anthropology, geography, economics history, sociology, social work, political history, politics, international relations, philosophy and ethics, human security, women’s studies, demographics, ecology, migration studies and pedagogy.
Development Studies aims at imparting a clear understanding of issues related to under development, and what promotes and guarantees development. It tries to formulate ways to transit nations from the state of developing to developed. It sensitises people by making them empathetic. Development can only be achieved only when concerned collective measures be undertaken by the body of human beings surviving on earth.
The formal education in development studies seeks to make one an expert in methods, methodologies and skills utilised in the process of development. It includes extensive, non-stop, continuous research and study of issues, their effects and how to curb problems facing developing countries. It also is related to program planning and management.
This is an upcoming field, with dedicated motivated people taking it up as their profession. And to complement this growth in number of interested people worldwide, is the expanse of job opportunities. NGOs demand those knowledgeable in it. The United Nations and its various comprising bodies are in need of such professionals – namely the World Health Organization, International Labor Organization, United Nations Development Program, UNESCO, etc. Also the World Bank, various research organisations and centres, private sector and public sector development consultancy firms.
We should however realize that Development Studies is not a mere branch of study within the precincts of an education system. It forms an integral part of life of every individual. It is not learning but unlearning of theories that have destroyed the earth.
