Society for International Development

The Society for International Development (SID), founded in Washington, DC in 1957, is committed to stimulating dialogue and cooperation on global development issues, enhancing skills, knowledge and understanding among development practitioners, and providing a network for individuals and organizations working in various sectors of international development. Over the years, SID has consistently been at the forefront of shaping the theory and practice of development, challenging existing practices and suggesting alternative approaches.Today, SID’s programme of work reflects the growing questioning of development as a point of reference for meaningful North-South dialogues. Accordingly, the Society’s focus has shifted from debates on how to advance development, to ways of opening up spaces for a reflection on how to ensure an agenda for social justice can be carried forward in a climate that is increasingly conservative and inward looking.

SID’s Consultative Status: the relevance of the Society’s programmes is officially recognized by the special status that SID enjoys with the United Nations: «SID enjoys the highest consultative status, Category I, with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as the Society operates in most fields of involvement of the United Nations. SID is a member of the board of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Status with ECOSOC (CONGO).»«SID additionally maintains consultative status with the Council of Europe, IFAD, ILO, FAO, UNCTAD, UNEP, UNESCO, UNFPA and UNICEF.»

The SID Secretariat: the SID Secretariat has been based in Rome since 1979. Additionally, SID opened a Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa in Nairobi in 2003.

Sid Governing Council:

"President": Mr Jan Pronk (The Netherlands); "Vice President": Mr Juma Volter Mwapachu (Tanzania); Ms Jacqueline Pitanguy (Brazil); "Treasurer": Mr Stephen F. Moseley (USA); "Managing Director": Mr Stefano Prato (Italy)

Website: "http://www.sidint.org/index.php"

Washington Chapter

SID-Washington, often called the flagship of the organization, is committed to helping shape and invigorate the unfolding discussion on U.S. engagement with the rest of the world.

SID-Washington is comprised of individual and institutional members. Members include Foreign Service officers, U.S. Government officials, economists, development practitioners from multilateral organizations and non-governmental organizations, technical specialists, diplomats and academics. Institutional members represent non-governmental organizations, multilateral development institutions, private-sector corporations, universities and government agencies.

SID-Washington achieves its mission as a forum for the development community through regional and thematic roundtables and special Chapter events. The chapter has more than 20 workgroups and roundtables that convene monthly programs, allowing development practitioners to informally exchange ideas. Most programs are open to members and non-members.

Annual events include an Annual Gala Dinner, Annual Conference and Career Conference.

(Permission to use text from SID-Washington website, "http://www.sidw.org", has been given.)