Development Lab: Center on Conflict and Development (C&D Center)
Overview
The Development Lab led by Texas A&M, Center on Conflict and Development (C&D), will study the intersection between poverty, conflict, and food insecurity to describe what has worked in the past and plan for the future to improve conditions in fragile and conflict-affected countries. The C&D Center will catalyze development results for these communities by providing new data, expertise, and policy advice for USAID derived from the interrelationships of conflict, poverty, governance, and development assistance, ultimately leading to a reduction in and prevention of conflict.
Background
Although experience among practitioners indicates that development in conflict-affected societies can show results, researchers admit that more must be known about the best way to effect change. The Lab builds on work in generating datasets that will allow deep analysis of the relationships between conflict, poverty, and foreign assistance. The Lab’s research and development program will bridge the gap between data and development practice throughout some of the world’s most fragile communities.
Planned Activities
| Development Field Labs | Identify challenges, strengthen partnerships with international institutions and evaluate the most promising development initiatives through five to tend field development labs. |
|---|---|
| Working Groups | Convene new and traditional partners in Working Groups to guide the focus of policies and facilitate Conflict and Development Strategy Workshops to draw on diverse experiences, establish objectives, and amplify impact. |
| Student Involvement | Innovative faculty will develop courses and a degree program to train new leaders in conflict and development. Students will conduct project-level research, often in-country, and shape the body of evidence to support new interventions. |
| Annual Award | Annual Award for Innovation in Conflict and Development to recognize the students, researchers, implementing partners, and others that revolutionize the field with novel contributions. |
Goal
The Development Lab at Texas A&M will provide increased access to data, analyses, and connections to in-country partnerships and expertise. The C&D Center will inform more deliberate development programs and policies in concert with USAID for fragile and conflict-affected states, particularly in preventing conflict, assisting during conflict and supporting the recovery effort.
Last updated: February 22, 2013
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