ERDI is a research centre dedicated to the study of the process of international development. It brings together economists, CNRS researchers and lecturers of the University of Auvergne (Clermont Ferrand, France) from various fields of competence, who cover both the macroeconomic and microeconomic aspects of development. The countries with low or intermediate levels of income are the focus of the work of CERDI.
CERDI works regularly with French government bodies (French Development Agency, Ministries), Regional bodies (Development banks, the Regional integration institutions), and the International organisations (United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank) which are in charge of development policies and their funding.
CERDI collaborates with FERDI (Foundation for study and research on international development) and IDDRI (Institute for sustainable development and international relations) as part of the Excellence laboratory (Labex) IDGM+
CERDI was evaluated as A+ by the National French Agency for the Evaluation of Research and Teaching in 2011.
Fields of research
Microeconomic behaviour and development - The microeconomics of development is a growing area of research which seeks to understand. Starting from the behaviour of individuals, how an escape from poverty is possible, how firms in developing countries can grow, and how having an effective state structure can permit these countries to strengthen their capacities. The research undertaken at CERDI finds their field application in the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, Latin America and Asia. The scientific approach adopted closely associates both empirical and theoretical analyses.
Open macroeconomics and international cooperation - The researches in this area focus on 3 major themes – the long-term dynamics of economies, macroeconomic policies and internal stabilization, and the effect of globalisation on trade. The study of questions relating to growth, inequalities and poverty inform the theme concerning the long-term dynamics of economies. The work relative to macroeconomic policies and internal stabilization focuses on the questions of public finances, money and exchange rates. Finally 3 pillars support the work on trade and globalization – trade integration, international migration, and the financing of development.
The economics of health, environment and natural resources - These researches tackle the problems of development from the perspective of sustainability through on the one hand the capacity of development to protect the well-being of households and individuals (well-being being measured in terms of health), and on the other hand the effect of development on the deterioration of the environment and the exploitation of natural resources. This research is characterised by an approach to the economic problems of health and the economics of the environment from both micro- and macro-economic viewpoints. The collaborations which the team have developed over a number of years with research centres and universities both in France and abroad provide it with an excellent understanding of the on-the-ground situation (Africa, Asia – China and Cambodia, Brasil) which enables it to gather original study data and to use specific databases, such as agricultural stocks and cropping data.
