Why development

Rich and poor countries are increasingly interdependent for their prosperity, security and environmental sustainability. Fostering sustainable social and economic development is indeed crucial to improving the living standards and quality of life of people in poor countries. Millions of poor people all around the world are suffering needlessly because of their marginalised condition that arises from lack of opportunities, social exclusion, inefficient economic structures and unfair international relations.

Studying broad questions of development in order to tackle global poverty is a moral and pragmatic imperative. By applying relevant theoretical concepts to real issues in developing countries, the study of development economics plays a fundamental role in the challenge of eradicating poverty and reducing inequality.

The University of Florence has a longstanding experience in dealing with key aspects of international development and the PhD curriculum in Development Economics (Curriculum Economia dello Sviluppo del Dottorato di Ricerca in Economia) is the highest level of academic education on this fascinating field. In addition, there are ongoing academic and research collaborations with other Florence-based research and teaching institutions, including the European University Institute, the Innocenti Research Centre (UNICEF) and the Istituto Agronomico d'Oltremare.

The PhD programme covers crucial issues as different as globalisation, inequality, rural development, population, gender relations and environmental sustainability. In particular, this programme places a strong emphasis on understanding the process of development, economic growth and poverty at different scales, including local communities, nations, regions and the world as a whole.