Can the history of development cooperation be told through one person's life?

A conversation with Steen Folke and Lotte Folke Kaarsholm

USAID has shut down, the UN is in crisis, and several European countries - including Denmark - are cutting their development aid. Elon Musk has called empathy "the fundamental weakness of Western civilization" and led a campaign against development work. It is a fitting moment to ask: what is development aid actually about, and is its time over?

The answer is attempted through one person's life. Steen Folke travelled as a child with his parents to Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke's first development project in India in the 1950s - before Denmark even had state development aid. Over the following seven decades, he has followed the field as a practitioner, researcher, politician, debater and activist. Now he is stepping down from Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke's board.

On this occasion, his niece Lotte Folke Kaarsholm has invited him to a conversation about what it was all about, what he would say to Elon Musk, and what he hopes others will continue to fight for.

The event is free for members of Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke. Registration is required via ticket link to ensure there is space for everyone.