Center for International Development (CID) At-A-Glance
Who we are:The Center for International Development is a leading University-based implementer of international development projects with a three-decade record of success.
Our mission: To assist the citizens and leaders of developing, fragile and post-conflict nations in their efforts to develop effective and responsive institutions and democratic practices.
Our home: Originally a part of the SUNY System Administration’s Office of International Programs, in 2007 the Center found a new home as an integral part of the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policyat the University at Albany.
Where we work: Since our founding in 1986,we have carried outlarge multi-year technical assistance projects in Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. In addition, we have carried out analytical assessments and hosted conferences and workshops, educational exchanges, study tours, internships and training programs in the US and internationally.
Our team:Our Home Office is comprised of staff hailing from Brazil, Bosnia-Herzegovina, China, Costa Rica, Morocco and Yemen as well as the United States and boasts fluency in at least ten languages. Our Field Offices include top-flight managers and technical personnel from around the world with special emphasis placed upon training and mentoring local staff in order to form a cadre of future leaders. Our consultants represent a broad spectrum of expertise – former elected officials,high ranking political and economic analysts from the public sector and internationally respected academics.
Our practice: We have aninternational reputation for our leadership in the field of Legislative Strengthening (more than 60 projects to date). In addition, we have established practices capabilities in the areas of civil societystrengthening, local governance, policy analysis and advocacy, education, regulatory reform, public administration and management and economic development.In all of our work, we place astrong emphasis on human rights advocacy andgender equality. Our team conducts assessments and evaluations and produces manuals and tool kits in our practice areas.
Our approach to our work: Our projects are designed to be demand-driven and implemented in partnership with sponsor and the host country. We place great value on cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovative techniques including pilot programs and experiments, hands-on learning techniques and change management.
Our role at the University at Albany:CID seeks to integrate its work with that of the University at Albany through its internship program, which introduces students to international development work (over 50 interns in the last three years); staff teaching at Rockefeller College and participation in the Master’s in International Affairs degree program; creation of the International Centers and Institutes Working Group (ICWG) to enhance information-sharing and collaboration aimed at attracting external funding; and sponsorship of speakers/roundtables and publications.
Notable CID achievements in recent years:
On the ground in Afghanistan a year before the election in 2005, CID played a lead role in the development of the National Assembly’s strategic plan, rules of procedure and administrative structures.
CID assisted the in the development of a Legislative Resource and Training Center in Lebanon to serve as a leader in legislative data collection and training for the Arab world.
CID supported the first public hearing held in the Parliament of Bangladesh following the tragic fire and collapse of a garment factory in Dhaka.
Since 2000, CID has worked with the Parliament in Kenya and can point with pride to a number of notable achievements including the introduction of live broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings, the establishment of a Parliamentary Budget Office and the implementation of a macroeconomic model for policy analysis and forecasting
In Uganda, CID’s LINKAGES program developed an Advocacy Tool Box for CSOs and established lines of communication between citizens, local council members and parliamentary committees and caucuses.
In Bosnia-Herzegovina, CID’s work with the Parliamentary Audit Committee resulted major strides in Parliament’s capacity to exercise ministerial and agency oversight.
Also in Bosnia-Herzegovina, our effort to improve Fiscal Impact Analysis of legislation and by-laws is generating increasing demand for training and technical assistance within ministries and legislative bodies at all levels of government.
CID’s groundbreaking AHADI project in Kenya helps support local government devolution in 22 of 47 newly-created counties, with assistance provided across eight USAID sectors.