International Development Research Centre


The International Development Research Centre is a Canadian federal Crown corporation. As part of Canada's foreign affairs and development efforts, IDRC champions and funds research and innovation within and alongside developing regions to drive global change. IDRC invests in high-quality research in developing countries, shares knowledge with researchers and policymakers for greater uptake and use, and mobilizes global alliances to build a more sustainable and inclusive world.
According its , IDRC's parliamentary appropriation reflects 3% of Canada's international assistance envelope.

Activities

According to its Strategy 2030, IDRC's work currently focuses on the following five areas, aimed at contributing to the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals: climate-resilient food systems; global health; education and science; democratic and inclusive governance; and sustainable inclusive economies.

History

IDRC was established by the Parliament of Canada in 1970 under the Research Centre Act, which directs IDRC "to initiate, encourage, support and conduct research into the problems of the developing regions of the world and into the means for applying and adapting scientific, technical, and other knowledge to the economic and social advancement of those regions."

Governance

IDRC's head office is located in Ottawa, Ontario, with regional offices located in Montevideo, Uruguay; Nairobi, Kenya; Dakar, Senegal; Amman, Jordan; New Delhi, India.
IDRC is governed by a board of governors, whose chairperson reports to the Minister of Foreign Affairs through the Secretary of State for International Development.
The board includes:
  • Dorothy Nyambi – Chairperson
  • Julie Delahanty – President
  • Nurjehan Mawani – Vice-chairperson
  • Akwasi Aidoo – Governor
  • Alex Awiti
  • Purnima Mane – Governor
  • Bessma Momani – Governor
  • Gilles Rivard – Governor
  • Hilary Rose – Governor
  • Stephen Toope – Governor
Regional directors: