Sources of Finance for Development - Lesson Plan: 2 x 1 hour lessons

A series of 'off the shelf' lesson plans and resources for use in the classroom. These lessons deal with Sources of Finance for Development and are relevant to the following specifications:

• AQA: Module 6, section 15.4
• Edexcel: Unit 5B
• OCR: Module 2886, section 5.6.5

Aim:

The Activity aims to provide students with an opportunity to look at some recent developments in relation to sources of finance for development. The fact that the development issue is in a state of constant change does mean that the chance of 'syllabus creep' is more likely and students are expected to be aware of latest developments in the field.

The establishment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has been a subject of discussion, in particular in relation to Britain's assumption of the presidency of the G7 group of nations. The goals are challenging and the need to find ways of financing such challenging goals has not gone unnoticed by the wealthy nations.

The Activity provides students with the chance to go through some of the main theoretical issues via Biz/ed's Virtual Developing Country and to follow this up with looking at what the MDGs are. The third task presents a summary of a conference held under the auspices of the United Nations in 2003 looking at different finance methods. The student will have to be guided to be selective in the use of this 12 page PDF, but it contains some useful information and serves to not only help in the fourth task but also to build notes on recent developments.

It is suggested the Activity is carried out in small groups with the aim of looking at the extent to which the ambitions of the MDGs are likely to be achieved, given the problems and issues associated with the financing of development. Students should come together at the end of the process to discuss their findings and to consider the different views and approaches to the issue.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the lessons, students should be able to:

• Name the key intentions of the MDGs
• Identify at least two arguments for and against foreign aid
• Identify the main functions of the World Bank and IMF
• Offer a definition of the following finance initiatives:
  • The International Finance Facility (IFF)
  • Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)
  • International taxation methods
  • Voluntary and market methods
• Contribute to discussion on the problems associated with these finance initiatives in achieving the MDGs

Resources:

• PowerPoint Presentation - Sources of Finance for Development [282K] (basic version also available for quicker download [201K])
• Mind Map - Sources of Finance for Development
• Activity - Sources of Finance for Development
• PCs for student research

Lesson Structure:

Lesson 1:

1. The subject matter can be introduced by using the PowerPoint Presentation or by referring to the Mind Map and discussing the main points. (15 minutes)
2. Hand out the Activity and advise students of the process to be followed and the learning objectives. Divide the class into appropriate groups. (5 minutes)
3. Students begin to work through the tasks. (35 minutes)
4. Bring the lesson to a close by reminding students of the format of the next lesson and the main issues arising out of the research so far. (5 minutes)

Lesson 2:

1. Remind students of the format of the second lesson. (5 minutes)
2. Set groups to complete their tasks. (30 minutes)
3. Bring the class together to discuss the outcomes of their research and to look at the issues arising. (20 minutes)
4. Summarise the main outcomes of the Activity. (5 minutes)