GEOGRAPHY IN DEVELOPMENT - DEVELOPMENT IN GEOGRAPHY

Probably more than any other discipline in the education system, geography has long been responsible for promoting awareness, interest and understanding of the diversity of the world's peoples and places. Geography and geographers have also played a key role in studying the state and process of development at a range of scales from global to local. After considering some common misunderstandings and issues of debate surrounding the meaning of development, the role of geography and geographers in shaping perceptions and understanding is examined. Attention is then focused on two areas where geographers have made Particularly valuable contributions to the study of development-people-environment relationships and development education. Finally, five significant 'divides' are identified, which it is suggested must be 'bridged' in order to strengthen geography as a discipline and, more specifically, enhance geography's contribution to international understanding and the appreciation of development-related issues.