GDN is a global network of research and policy institutes working together to address the problems of national and regional development. GDN:
- Supports multidisciplinary research in social sciences
- Promotes the generation of local knowledge in developing and transition countries
- Produces policy relevant knowledge on a global scale
- Builds research capacity to advance development and alleviate poverty
- Facilitates knowledge sharing among researchers and policymakers
- Disseminates development knowledge to the public and policymakers