Overseas Development Institute

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The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) is one of the leading independent think tanks on international development and humanitarian issues. 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."

ODI began life 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 Westminster Bridge Road. It also has a small office in Hyderabad, India. ODI remains reliant on DFID for the majority of its contracts. Unlike its major competitor, the Institute of Development Studies at Sussex University, it does not have a strong link to academic institutions and does not engage in teaching. The current Director is Dr Simon Maxwell, formerly of IDS.

In July 2007, ODI was named 'Think Tank of the Year 2007' by Public Affairs News magazine. It was previously named 'Think-tank to Watch' in the Prospect (magazine) 'Think-tank of the Year' awards, 2005.

ODI published many books, papers and briefings, and two academic journals, Development Policy Review and Disasters.

[edit] Fellowship scheme

The Overseas Development Institute also runs a fellowship scheme, which sends young postgraduate economists to work in the public sectors of developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific on two-year contracts. This has been running since 1963, has worked in over 30 countries, with over 700 economists going on into careers in development.