Ethical and scientific responsibility is the reason for the research contract of this Institute, founded in 1994 in the course of the academic program of FAU. The Institute’s aim is to design alternative strategies and methods for improving the living conditions of the most deprived groups in developing countries, to apply these strategies and methods in practice, and evaluate them critically. The research work solely pursues scientific and non-profit purposes and focuses mainly on the education of development agents to be able to help themselves. The research practice is realized in interdisciplinary project work for holistic development, which connects the areas of health care, food production and utilization, education, income increase, etc. for the independence-oriented development of deprived groups.

The Institute cooperates with various partner organizations and institutes in developing countries. By means of a cooperation of a partner organizations and the Institute, development projects can be undertaken together.