In the continued efforts and commitment to promote knowledge partnership for development between Korean and its partners countries in the developing world, the Development Research and Learning Network (DRLN) has been recently lunched. DRLN in collaboration with the partner countries carries out research on development policy and capacity-building training for mid career officials from the developing world.  Equipped with an in-depth research on Korea’s own development experience, DRLN is intended to facilitate Official Development Assistance (ODA) and development policy implementation. This initiative is embedded in the broad belief that joint efforts with international organizations will help disseminate development know-how, thereby levelling the information gap in the global community.

The Development Research and Learning Network has six and two main programs and projects respectively namely: Development Knowledge Sharing Workshops and Conferences;  Capacity Building for International Development Cooperation (with the Asia Foundation);Korea Knowledge Partnership Program (with the World Bank);Korea Global Leaders Fellowship Program; Case Study Project of Korean Development Policy; Impact Evaluation Lab; Korean Development Experience & ODA Database Project; and Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) Project. In order to enhance effectiveness and efficiency of the fore mentioned programs and projects, four teams have been formed.

Capacity building team

This team is responsible for coordinating Development Knowledge Sharing Workshops, Capacity building for International Development cooperation, Korean Knowledge Partnership Program and Korea Global Leaders Fellowship Program. KDI collaborates with Korean Knowledge Partnership Program, World Bank; Asia Foundation in building capacity for developing countries through various approaches. These approaches range from providing policy workshops and seminars for senior officials, providing expertise, to offering scholarships for students from developing countries.

It is under this spirit of capacity building that KDI School hosted a development team consisting of 100 elite officers from India. The Team visited Korea from 8^th to 19^th May, 2011 as part of the largest mid-career education reform undertaken by the Government of India for its elite public service, the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

The purpose of the site visit was for the Indian officers to have a chance to be exposed to Korean culture as well as fast and vast post-war development miracles of the Han River which can not be obtained from other advanced countries. The visit was also aimed at increasing short and long term economic cooperation with India, based on the consideration that the visiting government officials will become the main decision makers in the Indian government. The visit consisted site and field trips to major industrial sites and relevant institutions; and cultural activities. The program focused on the experiences of economic development policy and social infrastructure investments and an introduction to Korean culture, economy and society.

Development Research Team

This team coordinates the Case Study Project of Korea’s Development Policy and Korea Development Forum. The team is responsible for ensuring practical policy lessons that may lead to future policy actions in the potential partner country are shared through studying and addressing specific policy issues and inviting world-renowned local and foreign development policy experts. KDI’ Knowledge Sharing Program Policy Consultation plays a vital role in this initiative.

Impact Evaluation Lab

The Impact Evaluation Lab aims at improving ODA projects through rigorous real-time impact evaluation through applying lessons from Korea’s past experience as a former recipient of development aid. KDI School, World Bank, University Health of Sciences of Lao PDR, the Seoul National University’s School of Medicine and Korea Foundation for International Healthcare have taken a leading role in impact evaluation studies under the following research programs: Seoul-Lee Jong Wook Project Impact Evaluation, World Bank-KDI ODA Impact Evaluation Joint Research, World Bank-KDI ODA Impact Evaluation Regional Workshop, and Research Program for De-worming in Korea and Overseas.

Development Knowledge Bank

There are two projects under this team; Korean Development Experience and ODA Database Project and Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) Project. The two projects aim to ensure that the knowledge and case studies on Korea’s economic growth and ODA projects are effectively documented and imparted to partner countries.

By Julius John LWENJE (2011, MPP, Tanzania)