Globalization, Imperialism, Social Development: Discoveries & Reflections of an Academic Journey in Belarus, Ukraine, & Moldova

There are two major aims for this book: first, to make a contribution to the academic debates; and second, to urge frontline INGO practitioners to reflect critically on their practices. Referring to the practices of CEP in reforming the system of higher education in Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova, this book seeks to engage in two major debates: one, over the role of INGO in social development; and two, over the relationship between INGO and Imperialism. In the discussion, the author highlighted the elements that are usually overlooked in the existing literature, namely, contradiction and contingency. Data is in the form of my first-hand experience of working as a university lecturer teaching in several universities in Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova, and as a CEP visiting fellow actively involved in its activities. The data poses challenges to the development logic of INGO and the logic of Imperialism; this provides an interesting basis for a provocative discussion. Since data also offers an interesting evaluation of CEP, they reveal not only difficulties facing CEP in bringing changes to the former-Soviet countries but also common problems of the system of higher education in this region.