The UNU World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) undertakes multidisciplinary research and policy analysis on changes affecting the living conditions of the world’s poorest people. The Institute also provides a forum for professional interaction and advocacy of policies for sustainable growth, and promotes capacity strengthening and training in the field of economic and social policy-making.

UNU-WIDER was the first UNU research and training centre, established in Helsinki in 1985. The Institute enjoys excellent relations with its host country; the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides UNU-WIDER with a locale and makes annual financial contributions to on-going research and training activities.

Several Nobel laureates have been associated with UNU-WIDER activities, including Amartya Sen, one of the Institute’s founders. Numerous contributions have come from other eminent scholars and policy makers throughout the developed and developing world.