International Development Research Centre
Regional Office for Southeast and East Asia
22 Cross Street #02-55
South Bridge Court
(China Square Central)
Singapore 048421

Tel: (65) 6438-7877
Fax: (65) 6438-4844
Email: asro@idrc.org.sg

Directional guide to our office

The Centre has supported development research in Southeast and East Asia since 1971. Much has been accomplished in the practical application of research to the problems of Asian partners, but the process of learning never ends. While we regularly reshape our programs to address the urgent challenges facing our development partners in Asia, the Centre retains its focus on scientific research, support for networks of scholars, emphasis on empowerment through knowledge and multidisciplinary approaches to problems.

The constant in the life of the Centre is the mandate set by a Canadian Act of Parliament when the organization was established in 1970. Its creative and far-sighted objectives give staff a clear purpose to "... initiate, encourage, support and conduct research into the problems of the developing regions of the world and into the means for applying and adapting scientific, technical and other knowledge to the economic and social advancement of those regions...".

IDRC actively pursues strategic partnerships with other international development agencies, governments and the private sector to share and deepen the learning of regional research partners and to increase the resources available to them to pursue their work. These resource partnerships can take the form of project co-funding, parallel funding, or even public-private partnerships.

The Centre has provided a total of CAD 1.9 billion in support of more than 8,700 projects worldwide. In Asia, the Centre has funded 1,360 projects valued at approximately CAD 370 million.