From 23 to 30 August 2025, Kukhanyile Mali, a PhD trainee from the Equitable Education and Economies division, participated in an advanced student workshop and conference organised by the International Development Economics Associates at the University of Campinas , Brazil. This event was part of the lead-up to the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belem, focusing on the theme “Development Challenges in a Time of Climate Crisis.”

Key discussions critically re-examined development narratives, challenging dominant models and emphasising the impact of finance capital and global capitalism on local development paths. The conference theme, “Financing Climate Action in the Global South: Scope for Innovation,” highlighted the failures and inequities of current climate finance mechanisms. Participants called for justice-centered, locally driven, and innovative climate finance approaches. The role of multilateral institutions was scrutinised, with growing recognition of South-South cooperation as a more equitable and responsive alternative amid global uncertainty.

For Kukhanyile and other participants, the workshop offered a vital platform to engage with urgent global issues, deepen academic inquiry, and strengthen their capacity to influence policy and practice at the climate-development nexus. The insights gained will contribute to advancing climate justice and sustainable development, particularly in addressing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by the Global South.