Presentation to the Africa Network, ACVO3rd February 2011

www.abdn.ac.uk/sustainable-international-development

Overview

• What the Centre proposes to achieve• Foundations laid• Future directions

Mark Reed

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

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.

Uganda, Robin Waugh

Millennium Development Goals

Guiding principles (1)

1. Commitment to equity and social inclusion and the promotion of equality of access to sustainable development for all citizens (including persons with temporary residence) with special attention to socially excluded persons (including national minorities, persons with disabilities, migrants, displaced persons and refugees).

2. Enhancement of human dignity and protection of the human rights of all persons.

Street children, Bishkek, Homans

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 global and national development agenda

Overview• What the Centre proposes to achieve• Foundations laid• Future directions

© Giacomo Pirozzi (Panos Pictures)

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

• Created data base of expertise and research programmes, scoping exercise

• Prioritised areas for future work• Committed team:

– Associates (55), Fellows (10)– Volunteers (10)

• Management arrangements:– Steering Group (10)– Advisory Board (6)

Progress so far (1)

Kyrgyz girl computing class, Homans

Centre for Sustainable International Development data base (CSID Info) of where staff are working and on what topics (by MDGs and Research Councils UK priorities)

1 1

111

1

1

1

1

1

2

71 2

11

1

2

9

1

2

4

5

1

4

2

612

11

1

1

1

1

1

3

1

1

1

1

1

4

2

5

211

11

2

4

2

1

1

1

1

2

2

1

1

1

2

1

1

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

1 1

1

4

1

1

Number of projects by college - CASS Total

Number of projects by college - CLSM Total

Number of projects by college - COPS Total

Millennium Development Goals

Progress so far (2)• Built strategic partnerships in

– the University: Aberdeen Centre for Environmental Sustainability (ACES), Centre for Energy and Law, Gender Studies Centre

– local community: Cafe Internationale, ACVO, Aberdeen Foyer, Kids Action, Rotary, Tillydrone Vision

– external organisations

• Built capacity of staff and students– Cross College seminars on poverty, civil society, post conflict,

education for all, maternal health, nutrition, science and innovation for development, research impact (ethics 15 Feb. & water 22 March)

– 6th Century course on sustainable international development– Volunteers – international development week

• Support to funding proposals• Communicate and disseminate knowledge (webpage, mailing

lists, seminars)

Overview

• Global situation• What the Centre proposes to achieve• Foundations laid• Future directions

Photoshare,K4Health

Priorities identified

Prioritisation exercise - build on existing excellence:

• maternal mortality reduction and public health (organisation & delivery of health care, HIV & neglected diseases) & the effects of pollution on health

• environmental sustainability/living with environmental change (climate change, deforestation, desertification, drought resistant crops, ecosystems services, urbanisation & water security)

• energy for development (bio-energy, renewable energy, the World Energy Cities Partnerships, the Centre for Energy Law).

Robin Waugh, Uganda

www.abdn.ac.uk/sustainable-international-development

Thank you