In recent times, economics has been seriously challenged about its Eurocentric nature and colonial roots. In this event, the panellists question the extent to which the project of economic development had its basis in colonial power structures. It considers the current technical aspects of this project; the dichotomy contrast between the public and private spheres in development policy-making and how this has varied across time and region; and finally, the political economy of the contemporary development agenda, with a specific focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The panel includes Fadekemi Abiru (economist and writer), Surbhi Kesar (Azim Premji University – India), (Ingrid Harvold Kvangraven (University of York) and Farwa Sial (University of Manchester).