The Foundation for the Superior Education and Development -FEDESARROLLO- is a nonprofit policy research center based in Santafé de Bogotá, Colombia. Fedesarrollo was created in 1970 in order to undertake reliable and independent technical studies, required for the continuous improvement of social and economic policies in Colombia. Throughout the years, Fedesarrollo has performed hundreds of research projects, funded by national and international institutions. It has also greatly contributed to the formation of leaders with in-depth knowledge of the country’s economic and social reality. At the same time, the Foundation has brought closer the universities, the government leaders and the private enterprise. All research done at Fedesarrollo is public and none of its work can be confidential.
Indeed, it is the Director’s responsibility to assure and provide maximum diffusion of the results and conclusions of the studies. Fedesarrollo has acquired a reputation for independence and analytical rigor. The institution’s credibility has enhanced its impact and influence over the design of policies in Colombia. This is due in part to the diversity of the funding and the high academic training of its researchers. In addition, researchers and staff at Fedesarrollo are refrained from participating in partisan politics. The focus of work at the Foundation has been on applied economic research. The Foundation has been greatly connected with other research centers outside Colombia, as well as to international institutions that have contributed to its funding. Fedesarrollo is part of several ongoing international research networks. Within the context of these networks it regularly undertakes comparative studies aimed at extending its influence beyond the borders of Colombia. Fedesarrollo has been specially concerned about the formation of human resources. The research team combines scholars with doctoral degrees with a group of young graduates from Colombian universities. The latter group has a high turnover, as many of them stay at Fedesarrollo no more than three years, before pursuing doctoral degrees abroad.