Overseas Development Institute
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| Abbreviation | ODI |
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| Motto | To inspire and inform policy and practice which lead to the reduction of poverty, the alleviation of suffering and the achievement of sustainable livelihoods in developing countries |
| Formation | 1960 |
| Type | Think Tank |
| Headquarters | 203 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8NJ |
| Location |
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| Website | www |
The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) is an independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues, founded in 1960. Based in London, its mission is "to inspire and inform policy and practice which lead to the reduction of poverty, the alleviation of suffering and the achievement of sustainable livelihoods in developing countries." It does this by "locking together high-quality applied research, practical policy advice, and policy-focused dissemination and debate."
In 1960 ODI began in small premises in Regent's Park, central London and operated a library devoted to international development issues as well as performing consultancy work and contracts with the Department for International Development (then known as the Overseas Development Agency) of the UK government. Since then it has moved several times and is currently on Blackfriars Road.
Since 2004 it has had a Partnership Programme Arrangement with the UK's Department for International Development. The Institute also developed a strong focus on communications and 'bridging research and policy'.
During Simon Maxwell's period as ODI Director, ODI was named 'Think Tank of the Year 2007' by Public Affairs News magazine. It was named 'Think-tank to Watch' in the Prospect 'Think-tank of the Year' awards in 2005 and is considered to be in international policy circles to be one of the world's leading think tanks on development. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010, with guests including former ODI Fellow and UK Business Secretary, Vince Cable.
As of 2014[update] ODI had more than 230 staff. Its director from 2013 until 2016 was Kevin Watkins who took over from Dr Alison Evans, formerly of the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at Sussex University. Its future director will be Alex Their. Unlike its counterpart IDS, ODI does not engage in teaching. As of 2012[update] ODI had the following 10 programmes that focus on aspects of international development:
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