Background and Philosophy

History

The Institute for International Development was formed in 1993 by a group of like minded development professionals under the patronage of Sir Arthur James De La Mare who wished to support the group’s learning and collegial approach to change. The common factor among the group was a history of involvement in ‘rural development’, an interdisciplinary approach to social and economic change in rural areas, still the location of most of the world’s poor.

The Institute has evolved over time as new people have been introduced but the constant theme has been a commitment to excellence and an interest in following projects and ideas through from inception to completion with the objective of making a difference.

Philosophy

The Institute sees its role in development as one of facilitating a learning approach to desired change. This involves the stakeholders formulating their own programs and projects in collaboration with enabling institutions and agencies. It is an iterative systems approach suited to interdisciplinary activities and involves both ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ systems’. Soft systems are commonly used by stakeholders for the development of visions and objectives, and to identify the resources they have to contribute to these. They are essentially participatory processes that guide the use of ‘Hard systems’, which are conventional science or economic based analysis necessary for detailed design of agreed activities. Soft systems are also used in subsequent evaluation and replanning until all relevant stakeholders agree the program or project are achieving the desired outcomes.