OECD Development Centre: Serving Development and Developing Countries

The Development Centre occupies a unique place within the OECD and in the international community. It is a forum where countries come to share their experience of economic and social development policies. The Centre contributes expert analysis to the development policy debate. The objective is to help decision makers find policy solutions to stimulate growth and improve living conditions in developing and emerging economies.

The creation of the OECD Development Centre was proposed by US President John F. Kennedy in an address to the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa on 17 May 1961. Watch his speech or read the whole address. (sound starts after a few seconds):

> The Development Centre and the OECD

Development Centre membership is open to both OECD and non-OECD countries. Members set the work programme through its governing board and finance the Centre. The Centre co-operates closely with the other parts of the OECD - particularly those also working on development - and the Development Assistance Committee (DAC).

> Policy dialogue

As a forum for dialogue, the Development Centre links OECD members with developing and emerging economies and brings together development partners. To foster open debate and creative policy solutions, participants in Centre events are invited in their personal capacity. Topics for dialogue are drawn from the work programme and reflect members’ priorities.

> Policy analysis

The Development Centre’s work programme captures current and nascent issues in interdependence and development. Research and dialogue covers questions impacting on development strategies. A small core of staff experts, together with colleagues from the OECD and partner countries, produces and directs work based on the priorities of the developing world and its relationship with OECD economies.

> Communicating results

The Development Centre’s work highlights policy options open to development partners. Results are discussed and distributed through policy dialogue meetings. They also appear in a range of high-quality publications. Its book series presents in-depth analysis. Briefer documents provide summaries for policy makers, while working papers deal with the more technical aspects of the Centre’s work.

> Partners

The involvement of a wide variety of partners enriches the Development Centre’s work.

• Policy makers
• Civil society
• Inter-governmental organisations
• International financial institutions
• Research institutions
• Private sector

> Contact details

• Telephone: + 33 (0)1 45 24 82 00 (OECD Switchboard)
  
• Media contact: Ms Elodie Masson : + 33 (0)1 45 24 82 96 / email: elodie.masson@oecd.org
  
• Facsimile: + 33 (0)1 44 30 61 49
  
• Email: dev.contact@oecd.org
  
• Office address:
  "Le Seine St Germain", Building B, 12 boulevard des Iles, 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
  
• Mail address:
  2, rue Andre-Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France