International Center for Development and Decent Work (ICDD)

Through the formulation of the Millennium Development Goals in 2000, the international community of states emphasized the importance of problem-oriented, interdisciplinary approaches to combating hunger and poverty. By virtue of its experience, competence and structure, the University of Kassel is well-positioned to address such issues as employment opportunities and "decent" work in various areas and habitats (urban, rural) as well as the sustainable structuring of the relationships between these habitats; these issues must be addressed for the purpose of knowledge generation to advise policy makers and decision makers, especially at the interface of ecology and society (natural and social sciences). As the agriculture sector is still the largest employer in many less-developed economies worldwide, agricultural, social, political and economic sciences should collaborate to improve agricultural commodity chains with respect to creating decent work opportunities.

The International Center for Development and Decent Work (ICDD) is a competence centre that crosses the boundaries between various faculties in these subjects. The establishment of the ICDD has allowed the university to concentrate its capacities and competence on the generation, mobilisation and application of academic knowledge in a way that enables transfer to those engaged in development cooperation. The centre is part of a network of international partners operating worldwide, which facilitates an increase quality.