A New Centre for International Development
A new centre to tackle the complex problems of international development has been awarded start-up funding from the UK Government.
The London International Development Centre (LIDC) will be one of the largest and most interdisciplinary academic groupings on development issues in the UK. It is a collaboration between the University of London's six Bloomsbury Colleges - Birkbeck, Institute of Education, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Royal Veterinary College, School of Oriental and African Studies, and The School of Pharmacy. The Centre offers a unique range and depth of expertise, drawing from research disciplines as varied as epidemiology, sociology, economics, pharmacy, law, veterinary medicine, politics and education. Membership of LIDC is free and open to all staff from the six Bloomsbury Colleges. To join please complete the Membership Form .
The role of LIDC will be to foster development research, training and capacity building by integrating the diverse development activities of the six Colleges and their respective partners in low and middle-income countries. The LIDC will emphasise the important inter-disciplinary nature of development problems through new research and training initiatives. It will focus on the UN’s Millennium Development Goals but it will also look beyond those to longer-term development issues and capacity building.
While LIDC activities will occur across the campuses of all six Colleges, the Centre will have a physical presence at 36 Gordon Square. This building will house a distinctly inter-disciplinary community of about 50 researchers from IoE, LSHTM, SOAS and Birkbeck, representing development expertise in health, education, social sciences, agriculture and environment, as well as other research and advocacy groups which embrace a broader development community.
Professor Sir Andrew Haines, Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said:
"Substantial challenges remain to achieving the UN's Millennium Development Goals, and addressing longer-term development issues. Action by governments and international agencies will only succeed if policies are underpinned by a robust research base, and by developing strong links with our partners in low-income countries. The range of expertise housed within this new Centre will be unmatched by any single UK institution and will constitute an invaluable source of independent expert advice".
Professor Geoff Whitty, Director of the Institute of Education, added:
"By working together, the six Bloomsbury Colleges of the University of London will be able to make a unique contribution to achieving education for all; bring about improved health and disease eradication through education and modern medicines; improve the health and welfare of the animals communities in the developing world rely on; and further the transfer of specialist knowledge to governments, NGOs and individual communities".
For further information about the London International Development Centre visit www.bloomsbury.ac.uk/lidc or email admin@lidc.bloomsbury.ac.uk
