The Centre for Sustainable International Development: what it is and what it does Hilary Homans 18 th May 2011

Overview Overview of CSID Overview of international student situation at the University of Aberdeen Discussion on how internationalisation complements sustainable international development? And vice versa?

Sustainable development Economic, social and environment process are inter-connected Rio Summit on Environment and Development, 1992 Need to place people at the centre of development

Why the Centre was established The University of Aberdeen is committed to internationalisation & the twin principles of sustainability and social responsibility (Strategic Plan 2009 to 2010) needs to demonstrate societal impact at an individual, institutional, national and global level through the Research Excellence Framework (REF) has recognised the need: – to coordinate work on sustainable international development across the University – for an inter-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach - future long term reseach needs to work across disciplines & sectors to maximise impact

Vision The Centre’s vision is to make a significant contribution to the sustainable achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other international development targets.

Guiding principles (1) 1.Commitment to equity and social inclusion and the promotion of equality of access to sustainable development for all citizens with special attention to socially excluded persons. 2.Enhancement of human dignity and protection of the human rights of all persons.

Guiding principles (2) 3. Interdisciplinary evidence-informed, needs based and results-oriented research, monitoring and evaluation contributing to policy and sustainable development. 4. Multi-sectoral age, gender and diversity-sensitive innovative approaches, involving partners at all levels within public, private and non-profit sectors. 5. Consistent with the UK DFID international development stratey, the RCUK research priorities and other relevant strategies and internationally adopted commitments.

Strategic directions Maintain a data base of expertise and research programmes within the University Build strategic partnerships within: – the University – local community – Cafe International seminars – Scotland – United Kingdom – Global environment to foster north-south and south-south partnerships and collaboration for sustainable international development based on countries’ needs Build capacity of staff, students and partners Leverage funding for University work on sustainable international development Communicate and disseminate information about the work of the Centre

Who is doing what? Data base Posters of work

Research by Millennium Development Goals

Largest numbers of overseas students at UoA by country, 2007 to 2011

Students from least developed countries at UoA, 2007 to 2011

Students from low income countries at UoA, 2007 to 2011

Partnerships

Partnerships are critical to internationalisation and international development. Many examples of partnerships between universities in the UK and developing country universities. E.g. the DELPHE programme on transforming land policy in Ghana where universities provided the academic component and a civil society organisation developed a community based programme on the use of land.

Partnerships UoA good example is the role of universities in addressing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Aberdeen has been at the forefront of this through its work on improving maternal health and improving water safety in developing countries.

CSID partnerships Staff Associates e-international- development/pe ople/associates/ © Giacomo Pirozzi (Panos Pictures) Aberdeen Centre for Environmental Sustainability Centre for Citizenship, Civil Society and the Rule of Law Centre for Energy Law Centre for Gender Studies Initiative for Maternal Mortality Programme Assessment World Energy Cities Partnership

Local p artnerships Partnerships with local NGOs – Aberdeen Foyer (Tanzania) – Arrow (Kenya) – Kids Action (Sierra Leone) – MedicAid (Sierra Leona) – Rotary clubs – Tillydrone Vision (Uganda) – Zoe Lee Foundation (South Africa) Robin Waugh, Uganda Support from the Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations

Scottish partnerships Development Studies Association, Scotland Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland (NIDOS) Rwanda Scotland Alliance Scottish Malawi Partnership Scottish Executive

Impact and skills development Strong partnerships: Are based on countries needs Involve shared learning Ensure that research is embedded into policy and practice Demonstrate commitment to impact May involve academic staff learning new skills in advocacy and communication

Build capacity

Cross college seminars Fourteen seminars over 10 months on topics such as, civil society engagement, education, environmental protection, ethics, global climate change, impact of research, land reform, poverty, substance use, water Seven visiting speakers – Overseas: Rwanda, Zimbabwe (3) – UK: Aberdeen, Manchester, London

Build capacity 6 th Century course – global citizenship, culture, equality and diversity Working groups to strengthen research linkages – Nigeria – Ghana – India – Bangladesh – Nepal

Volunteers international-development/people/volunteers-/ international-development/people/volunteers-/ Trained: to become tutors in presentation skills in poster development Established Facebook page Working with local NGOs and community Networking with students ? Establish International Development Association

UoA Strategic Plan 2011 to 2015 “We will embed a culture of internationalisation across our activities and in so doing enhance our reputation as a global university.” Targets 4.1 establish 10 new international strategic partnership arrangements with institutions in priority regions 4.2 establish three partnerships with countries or regions leading to joint institutes, the first of these to be a Confucius institute

Internationalisation targets continued 4.3 enable 1,200 of our students to have an overseas experience during their time at Aberdeen 4.4 increase the number of international students to 2, improve our position in international league tables particularly in relation to the proportion of international students and international staff

Future Vice Principal for internationalisation just appointed Internationalisation strategy to be developed How can internationalisation complement sustainable international development? And vice versa?