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22 March 2010
Sheffield launches international development network
International development experts gathered at the University of Sheffield on 18 March for a public debate on the future of international development in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.
The debate, which is part of the ESRC's Festival of Social Science, marked the launch of the Sheffield International Development Network which will see international development experts from across the University collaborating with international organisations including the Department for International Development and a range of non-governmental organisations.
The network aims to promote Sheffield´s role as a national centre for high-level teaching and training in international development.
The debate heard from leading guest speakers from development practice and academia including Claire Melamed from Action Aid, Duncan Green from Oxfam, Professor Stuart Corbridge from the London School of Economics, and Dr Diana Mitlin from the International Institute for Environment and Development.
Each guest presented their own personal perspectives on the current challenges in international development – from dealing with climate change to the possibilities of rapid urban development in the Global South – before opening to questions from the floor. Professor Tony Payne, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University´s Faculty of Social Sciences, who is an expert in development issues in and beyond the Caribbean, chaired the debate.
The audience, which numbered over three hundred people from within and beyond the University, also had the opportunity to visit a poster exhibition of research projects SIDNet´s members are currently engaged in, which highlighted the range of expertise in international development present within the University.
Dr Glyn Williams, from the University´s Department of Town and Regional Planning, said: "It was fantastic to see this event so well supported by the University and the wider community. The audience´s enthusiasm on the night showed how important issues such as poverty, global inequality and injustice, are to people here in Sheffield.
"The Sheffield International Development Network is a place within the University where people can bring their different disciplinary expertise – whether that is in planning, political science or public health – to analyse current international development issues. It is also providing a supportive environment for research training, and innovative and inspirational learning experiences for students and staff alike. The network will continue to grow from here, and we look forward to holding further public debates in future."
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