History of DCID
“Duke has long recognized that we cannot be a great university without being an international university.”
–Duke Strategic Plan
The Duke Center for International Development (DCID) was established in 1985 to focus on policy issues related to international development and to provide a forum for collaboration among scholars, professionals, practitioners and technical experts from around the world.
Within DCID, the two-year master’s degree Program in International Development Policy (PIDP) was initially established, and has developed over the years to include one- and two-year master’s degree options, a certificate option, the Rotary Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution, and the International Taxation Program.
In 2001, members of Harvard University’s Public Finance Group joined DCID faculty, thereby greatly strengthening DCID’s capabilities in overseas advising and executive education. Since then, DCID faculty members have provided policy advising services to countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and throughout the world. Executive education programs have developed to include a series of regular, open-enrollment programs, as well as customized programs for specific governments and agencies taught at Duke and in the clients’ countries.
Today, DCID is represented around the world by an alumni base of over 1000 individuals from more than 100 countries. DCID’s teaching, advising and training initiatives are contributing in a real and positive way to sustainable development in countries around the world. Looking to the future, DCID faculty and staff anticipate continued collaboration and growth as the Sanford Institute makes efforts toward becoming a School of Public Policy and as Duke University increases the scope of its international activities and partnerships.