Chapter 1: What is Decentralized Cooperation?
Chapter 1: What is Decentralized Cooperation?
Learning outcome •
A basic understanding of the complexities of Decentralized Cooperation.
Trainer's insights Each of the chapters in this module deals with one key question. In this opening session, we begin by asking the question: “what is decentralized cooperation?” (hereafter, DC) Here, we unpack this complex concept, which has no single definition accepted by all academics and practitioners. For the purposes of this training session, and so that we are all on the same page, we understand DC as the development cooperation that takes place between local and regional governments (LRGs) and their associations (LRGAs) to mutually reinforce their capacities and to involve economic and social actors at the local and regional levels in development processes and interventions. This action to address development challenges often works across local, regional and even international borders. In this introductory session, we will explore the main principles that underpin DC and reinforce this learning through a practical exercise. We shall then go on to examine the legislative imperatives, history and evolution of DC, before sharing the contemporary transformative conceptualisation of DC and of its role in furthering the agenda for global sustainability. In terms of our bicycle analogy, this chapter focuses on explaining different interactions with LRGs and LRGAs as promoters and coordinators of DC.
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