Organizations
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International Development Agencies and Development Banks. All of these are aimed at development. Some have reports, news releases, etc.

Canada   http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/index-e.htm   describes what they do, issues addressed, etc

IDRC   http://www.idrc.ca/index_en.html   "is a Canadian Crown corporation that works in close collaboration with researchers from the developing world in their search for the means to build healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous societies."

France  http://www.afd.fr/jahia/Jahia/   Its mission is to finance development

Japan    http://www.jica.go.jp/english/index.html    their goal is to "advance international cooperation through the sharing of knowledge and experience and will work to build a more peaceful and prosperous world."

USAID    http://www.usaid.gov/index.html   Lots of stuff....  Everything produced by the US government is public domain, so free to use.

UK Department for International Development   http://www.dfid.gov.uk/   "The Department for International Development (DFID) is the part of the UK Government that manages Britain's aid to poor countries and works to get rid of extreme poverty."

Australian Agency For International Development   http://www.ausaid.gov.au/   "To assist developing countries reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development, in line with Australia's national interest."

Australian Council for International Development   http://www.acfid.asn.au/   "ACFID is an independent national association of Australian non-government organisations (NGOs) working in the field of international aid and development."

Development Gateway portal   http://home.developmentgateway.org/   "for development information and knowledge sharing worldwide. The tools on this website bring together people and organizations around the globe who are working to improve life in developing countries." They have a bunch of forums on different topics, like poverty, governance, many others, and portals to development related information. Funded through the The Development Gateway Foundation   http://www.dgfoundation.org/    an international nonprofit organization that provides Web-based platforms to make aid and development efforts more effective around the world.


UN Development Program   http://www.undp.org/   from the UN, has Human Development Reports   http://hdr.undp.org/   as well as data, the Millennium Project   http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/index.htm    with it's Development Goals and plan to meet those goals.

The UN also has this Social Development   http://www.un.org/en/development/progareas/socdev.shtml   which links to all the other UN sections about social development.


African Development Bank   http://www.afdb.org/    "The ADB is a multilateral development bank whose shareholders include 53 African countries and 24 non-African countries from the Americas, Asia, and Europe."

Asian Development Bank   http://www.adb.org/default.asp   "The work of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is aimed at improving the welfare of the people in Asia and the Pacific, particularly the 1.9 billion who live on less than $2 a day."

Inter-American Development Bank   http://www.iadb.org/   Its mission is "contribute to the acceleration of the process of economic and social development of the regional developing member countries, individually and collectively.”

Center for International Development at Harvard University   http://www.cid.harvard.edu/   "CID was established with one overriding conceptual notion: the need for cross-disciplinary approaches to the challenges of sustainable development."


Other orgs

Major NGOs

OECD has these:
Initiative on Governance and Investment for Development   http://www.oecd.org/pages/0,2966,en_34645207_34645466_1_1_1_1_1,00.html   which is "a regional effort, initiated and led by countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It promotes broad reforms to enhance the investment climate, modernise governance structures and operations, strengthen regional and international partnerships, and promote sustainable economic growth throughout the MENA region."
   OECD also has this, The Global Project on "Measuring the Progress of Societies"    http://www.oecd.org/pages/0,3417,en_40033426_40033828_1_1_1_1_1,00.html   "seeks to become the world wide reference point for those who wish to measure, and assess the progress of their societies."
   OECD is also a cosponser along with IIID   http://www.iiid.net/   of DD4D   http://www.dd4d.net/   Data Designed for Decisions, Enhancing Social, Economic and Environmental Progress


Directorate for Public Governance and Territorial Development   http://www.oecd.org/department/0,2688,en_2649_33735_1_1_1_1_1,00.html   which "assists countries in adapting their public sector governance arrangements to the changing needs of society."  Of particular interest is this project, Management in Government: Moving towards "Government at a Glance"   http://www.oecd.org/document/12/0,2340,en_2649_33735_37688524_1_1_1_1,00.html   which will "Provide a "suite" of separate datasets across OECD countries" starting in 2009.


World Bank   http://www.worldbank.org/   has a lot of research and data available for free, listed on our research and data pages.
     There are other resources for purchase:
World Development Indicators Online   http://publications.worldbank.org/WDI   a subset of data are available for free.
Global Development Finance Online  http://publications.worldbank.org/GDF
World Bank e-Library  http://masetto.worldbank.catchword.org/vl=6980501/cl=13/nw=1/rpsv/home.htm  The working papers are available for free.
World Bank publications   http://www.worldbank.org/reference/   has an on line bookstore

Also see their International Development Association   here  


Management of Social Transformation   http://portal.unesco.org/shs/en/ev.php-URL_ID=3511&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html     "MOST is a research programme, designed by UNESCO, to promote international comparative social science research. Its primary emphasis is to support large-scale, long-term autonomous research and to transfer the relevant findings and data to decision-makers.  MOST also publishes state of the art reports that assess existing information on specific topics."  They have discussion papers, links, events, etc...


Bellanet Alliance   http://www.bellanet.org/   This is "an international network of people and organizations harnessing regional and global expertise on Information and Communications Technology tools and Knowledge Sharing practices." They had Online Communities,   http://www.dgroups.org/   currently being revised.


One World Trust   http://www.oneworldtrust.org/   "The One World Trust promotes education, training and research into the changes required within global organisations in order to make them answerable to the people they affect and ensure that international laws are strengthened and applied equally to all."


InterAction  http://www.interaction.org/    is the largest coalition of U.S.-based international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) focused on the world’s poor and most vulnerable people.



Academic


Amsterdam International Institute for Development   http://www.aiid.org/   The Amsterdam Institute for International Development (AIID) is a joint initiative of the Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) ... founded in 2000 by the two universities as a network linking their best experts in international development and to engage in policy debates.


The Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development and Innovation   http://www.geo.uu.nl/20419main.html   aims to support the search for sustainable development and innovation through the development of knowledge, methods and instruments.

Country Indicators for Foreign Policy   http://www.carleton.ca/cifp/    "The project represents an on-going effort to identify and assemble statistical information conveying the key features of the political, economic, social and cultural environments of countries around the world. ... The data set provides at-a-glance global overviews, issue-based perspectives and country performance measures. Currently, the data set includes measures of domestic armed conflict, governance and political instability, militarization, religious and ethnic diversity, demographic stress, economic performance, human development, environmental stress, and international linkages."


Collaboratory for Research on Global Projects    http://crgp.stanford.edu/    A multidisciplinary research center at Stanford University with a focus on the clashes of beliefs, values, norms and systems that occur when large, complex, global projects bring together participants from multiple national and organizational cultures. Offers professionals, students, and researchers a range of information, resources, and news items.

The Earth Institute at Columbia University   http://www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/sections/view/9   This organization "brings together talent from throughout the University to address complex issues facing the planet and its inhabitants, with particular focus on sustainable development and the need of the world's poor."

The ESRC Centre for Research on Socio-Cultural Change   http://www.cresc.ac.uk/   Has some interesting working papers about socio-cultural change, and a newsletter describing their research themes.

 
FERNAND BRAUDEL CENTER for the Study of Economies, Historical Systems, and Civilizations  http://fbc.binghamton.edu/   "The Fernand Braudel Center was founded in September 1976 to engage in the analysis of large-scale social change over long periods of historical time."  This link has some commentaries, papers, and links available.


Global Awareness Society International   http://orgs.bloomu.edu/gasi/   "We believe that a vital step toward achieving peace, harmony, and cooperation among diverse peoples is to promote mutual understanding and appreciation for one another."


Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies  http://kroc.nd.edu/   This organization "conducts research, education, and outreach programs on the causes of violence and the conditions for sustainable peace."  Has some booklets, other pubs available for download.


The Social Change Project  http://www.mercatus.org/ResearchAreaLanding.aspx?Category=196   from George Mason University.  From their introduction: "The Mercatus Center Social Change Project seeks to discover and create knowledge about the necessary conditions for positive social change, communicate that knowledge to decision-makers, and stimulate action that promotes human flourishing and the freedom to prosper."


Tampere Peace Research Institute   http://www.uta.fi/tapri/eindex.html   Studying peaceful change
  

World-Systems Archive   http://wsarch.ucr.edu/    links to some papers.


Strategies and Analysis for Growth and Access   http://www.saga.cornell.edu/   "SAGA brings together key personnel having extensive experience in Africa as researchers, teachers, policymakers, and consultants, to offer a different perspective on growth and poverty reduction. "

 
West African Network for Peacebuilding   http://www.wanep.org/aboutwanep.htm   Their mission: "promoting cooperative responses to violent conflicts; providing the structure through which these practitioners and institutions will regularly exchange experience and information on issues of peacebuilding, conflict transformation, social, religious and political reconciliation; and promoting West Africa’s social cultural values as resources for peacebuilding."



Independent organizations working for social change

Coalitions of organizations and organizations connecting volunteers to those needing volunteers

Ashoka   http://www.ashoka.org/   "the global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs, men and women with system changing solutions for the world’s most urgent social problems."


Change.org   http://www.change.org/   This site allows folks to connect to others who care about social issues, and take action in cooperation with others.


Connecting Gender for development   http://connectingender.org/   GOGEN "Empowers women and communities to build a world free of discrimination and inequality, where people live in peace"


Nabuur   http://www.nabuur.com/   connecting volunteers to people in developing countries. You can work on your computer at home and help folks elsewhere.
   Listed here  http://www.psu.edu/dus/ncta/linkstua.htm  
   and here  http://go.global.wisc.edu/site-lists/volunteer.htm    


Participation.net   http://www.pnet.ids.ac.uk/    "is a global, online space for sharing ideas about the participation of people in development, citizenship, governance and rights. We welcome researchers, practitioners, activists, educators, policy makers and others from around the world to exchange diverse views and resources."
 From the Institute of Development Studies   http://www.ids.ac.uk/ids/   "The Institute of Development Studies, Sussex, is a leading centre for research and teaching on international development." (This is an academic source, but I'm putting it here.)


Social Change Websites   http://www.socialchangewebsites.com/index.php   is a directory of the best nonprofit, grassroots, and advocacy campaign websites dedicated to making a difference in the world.



Other

A World Connected   http://www.aworldconnected.org/   Also from Institute for Humane Studies at George Mason University, like The Social Change Project above.  "aWorldConnected.org looks at the lives of real people who are being affected by the processes of globalization."


AAG Center for Global Geography Education   http://www.aag.org/Education/center/cgge-aag%20site/index.html   They have three online course modules: Population, Global Economy, and Nationalism. Others are being developed.


The Development Cafe   http://www.thedevelopmentcafe.org/   A Network of Social Scientists and Development Professionals.


Do something dot org   http://www.dosomething.org/   We're giving you a place to connect, a place to be inspired, be supported, be celebrated. The only question is, "What's your something?"
   Listed in this DHHS newsletter   http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/region6/docs/ddnews_jan2005.html  
   and here http://www.nj.gov/education/lsa/links.htm   
   and here  http://www.america.gov/st/foraid-english/2008/June/20080608152805xjyrreP0.2548181.html  


Global Mindshift   http://www.global-mindshift.org/   engaging people in conversions about change. Also lists many other change organizations.


IIID   http://www.iiid.net/    "The International Institute for Information Design was founded to develop research and practice in optimizing information and information systems for knowledge transfer in everyday life, business, education and science."  IIID is a cosponsor along with OECD of  DD4D  http://www.dd4d.net/  


Practical Action   http://practicalaction.org/    Practical Action aims to demonstrate and advocate the sustainable use of technology to reduce poverty in developing countries.


SIETAR The Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research   http://www.sietar.org/   the aim "is to encourage the development and application of values, knowledge and skills that promote and reinforce beneficial and long-lasting intercultural relations at the individual, group, organization, and community levels."  The other chapters are listed here  http://www.sietarusa.org/Default.aspx?pageId=108358    chapters in North America, Europe and Asia.


We can solve it   http://www.wecansolveit.org/   about the climate crisis.


World Learning   http://www.worldlearning.org/   "is a private, nonprofit international organization with both academic and field project capabilities." Especially see their World Learning International Development programs   http://www.worldlearning.org/340.htm   "This carries out overseas projects that create democratic change and support peace, understanding and social justice."


World Transhumanist Association   http://www.transhumanism.org/index.php/WTA/index/   this "is an international nonprofit membership organization which advocates the ethical use of technology to expand human capacities. "



Associations, societies, centers, etc.


Center for global studies   http://www.globalcentres.org/   some interesting on line publications, see   http://www.globalcentres.org/html/publications.html   for example, altered states, discusses why this globalization is different.


Global studies association     http://www.globalstudiesassociation.org/    This group is for "promoting the creation and dissemination of multi and interdisciplinary knowledge in the social and human sciences concerning global affairs, problems and changes."  You can download some papers from their first international conference about Networks and Transformations.  Papers include "Globalisation - The New Order or Disorder?", "Location, Privatization, McDonaldization" and others.


International Society of Child Indicators   http://www.childindicators.org/    "The new ISCI brings together experts in the field worldwide to: Contribute to the well-being of all children., Share knowledge and experience, Improve data resources, Foster collaborative research and projects ..." and more.

International Studies Association   http://www.isanet.org/   includes list of internet resources, at   http://isanet.ccit.arizona.edu/netsources.html   which lists many research centers, institutes, links to political sites and organizations, and many other sites of interest.
 

Globalization Studies Network   http://gstudynet.org/   The core idea is "The proposition was made that the topic of globalization and its multidisciplinary perspective was beyond the capacity of any one university to take on and address comprehensively."


Society for International Development   http://www.sidint.org/   a global network of individuals and institutions concerned with development


Other

International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance    http://www.idea.int/index.cfm    includes some free on line publications on democracy building.
 

id21   http://www.id21.org/    "communicates international development research to policymakers and practitioners worldwide"


Igloo.org   http://new.igloo.org/   Facilitating Knowledge Exchange on Global Issues


Q squared   http://www.q-squared.ca/   "Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches in Poverty Analysis - is a research program that will run from 2005-2007. The program aims to promote a better integration of ‘qual’ and ‘quant’ approaches to poverty assessment in the developing world through information sharing and networking, national capacity building and the piloting of Q2 methodologies.


Catalyst for Human Development   http://www.afhd.org/   This is a bi monthly international development magazine offering direct reporting, analytical insights on the present and future of developmental issues by opinion makers and experts.
  They were a participant in UN's World Water Day   http://www.unwater.org/wwd07/nfevents.html


Studying Development   http://www.studying-development.org/   "Find study and training courses in International Development and Humanitarian Aid. The site aims to help orientate those wishing to enter, or already active in Development and Humanitarian Aid. "


Comparative Charting of Social Change http://host.gesis.org/ccsc/homepage.html   lists of books and research about social change, and a list of an outline on how to organize publications about change.
 


Technology

Technology and Social Change Research Centre   http://chimeraweb.essex.ac.uk/tasc/    This group "focuses on studying the interactions between technology and social change from an empirical social science perspective."


The Center for Science, Technology, and Society   http://www.scu.edu/sts/    This organization "researches and promotes the use and understanding of science and technology for the common good.  Through research, education, and public events, the Center brings together scholars, industry leaders, and public advocates to collaboratively serve humanity by leveraging its unique strengths.


The Society on Social Implications of Technology   http://www.ieeessit.org/   The scope of the society includes such issues as environmental, health and safety implications of technology; engineering ethics and professional responsibility; history of electrotechnology; technical expertise and public policy; peace technology; and social issues related to energy, information technology and telecommunications.


Science, Technology and Society   http://www.utexas.edu/cola/progs/sts/   program at the University of Texas at Austin.  One of their programs is The Nano Future   http://www.utexas.edu/cola/progs/sts/nanofuture/index.html   with various essays about nanotechnology and science, policy, economics and the environment.


Department of Science, Technology and Society   http://www.chem.uu.nl/nws/www/nws.html   part of the  Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development and Innovation listed above

 

last verified 3/25/09
last updated 3/25/09.
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Didn't work on 12/28/08.  I'll check again.