IDOS Mission and Vision

The German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) conducts empirical, theory-led and application-oriented research, enables transregional knowledge cooperation and training, and offers evidence-based policy advice on global sustainable development.

As a non-university research institute and think tank, IDOS studies some of the world’s most pressing challenges – taking into consideration human-human and human-environment interactions in a changing world order – as well as the drivers of change, the steering capacities and the institutional landscapes at all governance levels for addressing these challenges.

In line with its public mandate, IDOS bridges research and policy-making, supports early-career researchers and delivers professionally focused training with a strong focus on partnership-based approaches.

IDOS’ mission, is to

through research, policy advice, transregional knowledge cooperation and training, collaboratively develop shared visions of, scientific expertise, transformative pathways and innovations for sustainable futures.

This threefold approach of research, policy advice, transregional knowledge cooperation and training is integral to scientific practice at IDOS.

We fulfil our mission while being guided by our vision:

We aspire to co-shape a collaborative multipolar world for sustainable futures. We do so by conducting high-quality research, offering independent policy advice, and learning across borders and regions while seeking to align “development” and “sustainability”.

With this vision, IDOS stands in for a world shaped by constructive cooperation.