EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES European experience in networking development research & training institutes, universities and think-tanks since 1975 by Can Akdeniz, EADI

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES Outline of presentation Challenges in development Challenges in development Vision of European Excellence in development issues Vision of European Excellence in development issues Implementing the vision Implementing the vision How well are we doing? How well are we doing? What have we learned? What have we learned? Concluding remarks Concluding remarks

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES Challenges in development  80 % of the international agenda is concerned with development problems  3 billion live on less than $2 a day and 1.2 billion on less than $1 a day  Nearly 3 million children in developing countries die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases  113 million children are not in school

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES Europe‘s role in development The EU accounts for more than half of the world‘s Official Development Assistance (ODA). The EU accounts for more than half of the world‘s Official Development Assistance (ODA). The EU is the main trade partner of developing countries. The EU is the main trade partner of developing countries. The EU has committed to double its development aid until The EU has committed to double its development aid until 2015.

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES What does the EU building look like?

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES Why development research? Needs for scientific inputs to the solutions of development problems Needs for scientific inputs to the solutions of development problems Implementing policies for the benefits of users (developing countries) Implementing policies for the benefits of users (developing countries) Challenge: To solve complex development problems and offer persuasive policy advice Challenge: To solve complex development problems and offer persuasive policy advice

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES Can we deal with complex developmentproblems?

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES Development studies Development studies are a multi- and inter- disciplinary field of study. Development studies are a multi- and inter- disciplinary field of study. Development studies are characterised by normative policy concerns. Development studies are characterised by normative policy concerns. Development studies are intrinsically context sensitive. Development studies are intrinsically context sensitive. Development studies are a changing and evolving field of study. Development studies are a changing and evolving field of study.

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES Leading professional network for development and regional studies in Europe. Leading professional network for development and regional studies in Europe. Membership includes a wide range of development research and training organisations, universities, think tanks, national bodies and researchers throughout Europe. Membership includes a wide range of development research and training organisations, universities, think tanks, national bodies and researchers throughout Europe. Providing knowledge brokering, research services, conferences & workshops, training, research partnerships etc. Providing knowledge brokering, research services, conferences & workshops, training, research partnerships etc. EADI

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES Challenges and responses by EADI North/ South collaboration North/ South collaboration >> creation of EADI in 1975 East-West relations ( ) East-West relations ( ) >> movement towards East-West dialogue The future of European development cooperation & new aid paradigm The future of European development cooperation & new aid paradigm >> European Excellence in development issues

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES EADI‘s vision: European Excellence in development issues Enhancing the impact of Europe-based research and analysis in the global competition of ideas and views in development Enhancing the impact of Europe-based research and analysis in the global competition of ideas and views in development Strengthening the structure and platform for research collaboration and communication at a European scale Strengthening the structure and platform for research collaboration and communication at a European scale Enhancing the sharing of knowledge with development researchers, policymakers and practitioners in Europe Enhancing the sharing of knowledge with development researchers, policymakers and practitioners in Europe Enhancing quality of research and cooperation with researchers and networks from developing countries Enhancing quality of research and cooperation with researchers and networks from developing countries

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES Implementing EADI‘s vision EADI Working Groups EADI Working Groups European database of training & education opportunities in development related fields European database of training & education opportunities in development related fields EADI Website highlighting recent news, events, research and analysis EADI Website highlighting recent news, events, research and analysis European directory of development research and training organisations European directory of development research and training organisations Regional working groups with sister research networks in developing countries Regional working groups with sister research networks in developing countries EADI accreditation and quality standards, developing EADI Master and EADI Doctoral School. EADI accreditation and quality standards, developing EADI Master and EADI Doctoral School.

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES Implementing EADI‘s vision Collecting knowledge and information Collecting knowledge and information Disseminating & sharing information and knowledge Disseminating & sharing information and knowledge Quality setting in research and education Quality setting in research and education Facilitating and brokering research partnerships Facilitating and brokering research partnerships Financial support for European (level) endeavours Financial support for European (level) endeavours Easier More difficult

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES How well are we doing? EADI has 150 institutional members in 28 European countries. Number of members is growing! EADI has 150 institutional members in 28 European countries. Number of members is growing! EADI recognised by stakeholders as a key professional network in development. EADI recognised by stakeholders as a key professional network in development. EADI‘s services and activities are highly relevant to the needs of development researchers, policymakers and practitioners. EADI‘s services and activities are highly relevant to the needs of development researchers, policymakers and practitioners.But... EADI could do more to create „unified“ European development research and analysis (strategic approach)

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES What have we learned? European development research institutes, taken as a group, are failing to provide the intellectual and creative energy that is required to improve European development policy. European development research institutes, taken as a group, are failing to provide the intellectual and creative energy that is required to improve European development policy. European institutions are not well placed to compete in what has become a global competition for development ideas and thinking. European institutions are not well placed to compete in what has become a global competition for development ideas and thinking. European prospective research in development needs to be properly funded. No wonder the World Bank dominates the international debates. European prospective research in development needs to be properly funded. No wonder the World Bank dominates the international debates.

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES Concluding remarks The European Union is responsible for well over half of all aid in the world and has the largest intellectual capacity on development issues. The European Union is responsible for well over half of all aid in the world and has the largest intellectual capacity on development issues. In terms of aid and knowledge volume we are giants. However, in terms of influencing the global debates on development issues we are still dwarfs. The better use of Europe‘s capacity has to be made. Let‘s do it. In terms of aid and knowledge volume we are giants. However, in terms of influencing the global debates on development issues we are still dwarfs. The better use of Europe‘s capacity has to be made. Let‘s do it.

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES Working for global partnership

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTES Thank you!