Sustainable local development and the mining industry

How can businesses in developing countries balance between the social and economic benefits and costs of their activities for local communities? How can local governments provide a business context that facilitates local economic development? Adopting a stakeholder approach and focusing on local development, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and economics, this summer school addresses these key questions.

An increasing focus on local economic development can potentially support developing countries to reduce poverty. Businesses can play an important role in local economic and social development, by generating job opportunities and economic growth. At the same time, local businesses activities might also result in costs for local communities. Therefore, local governments increasingly face the challenge to develop sustainable settings in which businesses can thrive, while simultaneously increasing quality of life in local communities. To enhance sustainable economic development, a complex interplay between local governments, industry organizations, businesses and other actors is required. 

Topics and activities

The summer school builds on the idea of challenge- based learning. In the first parts, lectures by staff and practitioners from the industry provide a theoretical basis about local economic development and the interlinkages between stakeholders at different institutional levels. Moreover, students are introduced to the Tanzanian context, culture and the gypsum mining industry in Tanzania.

Building on these insights, participants work in international teams to further analyse the local economic and social conditions of the Same district which is home to the gypsum mining industry. Based on secondary data and knowledge from local participants, students gain an understanding of the district and industry. The lectures and teamwork serve as an input for the field visit to the Same District Council and the mining site in Makanya Ward (Industry). Participants will be given a chance to ask formal and informal questions to officials of the Same District Council (Local Government) and to the local people (local communities) in Makanya Ward.

Challenge during the summer school (Final assignment)

In this summer school we want the participants to give an advice to at least three parties; the Mining Industry, the local government (province and local level) and the local communities on what to get most out of this for each! Based on lectures of staff, speakers from outside university and interviews during the field visit, participants will be able to develop this advice and present it on the last day before we go on Safari.