Ethics, Responsibility and Development

Abstract

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  Profile of the study programme

  By incorporating ethical and responsibility issues, the specialised master programme Ethics, Responsibility and Development aims to understand, in a critical, scientific manner, the field of development in its multiple components (sustainable, social, environmental, educational, human, solidarity economy, development aid) and to forge the conditions for a reasoned analysis of development issues crossed with ethical issues.

  It is based on three learning objectives:

  1. Consolidate, in a methodical fashion, the foundations of theoretical work in the field of ethics and responsibility with a view to developing a critical approach on the basis of the specific context of development;
  2. Reflect on the conditions of development which respect human beings;
  3. Understand the implications of development experiences on social organisation, life styles and forms of solidarity by integrating ethical and responsibility issues.

  It thus subscribes to the ethical objective of Paul Ricoeur: «Live well, with and for others, in just institutions».

  Fribourg profile
  This specialised master programme includes field work abroad (Brazil, Canada, Paraguay, Argentina, Mexico, Romania, Bulgaria, Tunisia, Senegal, Congo, Rwanda, etc.) enabling a comparison between theoretical analyses (ethics, responsibility and development) and real development experiences. In order to achieve this, the University works with internationally recognised theoreticians in ethics, responsibility and development, and organisations/experts in the field of development and cooperation.
  The programme finishes with an «Ethics Week» based on the students' work, with exhibitions, debates, discussion-workshops, talks, etc., on the actors/experts in development and cooperation and on the City.

  The programme's strong points are:

  • Development of a practical foundation to the ethical dimension, with contributions from figures in national and international agencies confronted with the application of ethical issues in the field of development;
  • Observation work on real development operations during a semester abroad;
  • On-site supervision by a partner university on a contractual basis;
  • Pursuit of the theoretical standpoint of linking ethical issues with problems in development;
  • Integration of the various dimensions of project management from design and implementation to evaluation.

  Learning outcomes and career openings
  In answer to the question, «how should we act?», this specialised master programme offers teaching that focuses on critical debate, examining ethical aspects in their full scope and complexity.

  The programme thereby promotes the formation of an analytical-management approach, enabling action not simply in accordance with a general framework, but which also integrates the complexity of social reality and in particular ethical and responsibility issues which are today very much a feature of development issues (social, environmental, educational, health, technological, etc.) in contemporary societies. Such an approach is sorely needed in a context in which the ethical, social and humanistic dimensions of development are justly questioned, on a recurrent basis, by organisations, foundations and associations working in the field of development or development aid, and also by public opinion.

  These studies prepare students for roles in research, counselling, programme organisation, public administration, associations with various interests, non-profit organisations active in social and humanitarian fields, consultancy firms, non-governmental organisations and (inter)national administrations. Given that current ethics and development issues are becoming increasingly complex, this programme could also be of interest to students who wish to train for management roles in the social field in the public and private sectors, in which it is often necessary to make decisions involving issues that go substantially beyond the framework of the sector.

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