Introduction to International Development International
development is a profession unlike any other. Although modern
international development has more than half a century of
history, the practice of development is constantly evolving and
the industry is currently in the midst of major changes that
have the potential to improve the lives of billions of people.
Development professionals are working in every country in the
world to address issues including human rights, health, economic
growth, environment conservation and many others. As a
profession, few career choices can match international
development for the sheer range of the industry, challenge of
the work or relevancy to the world’s population. In recent years
the need for coordinated and comprehensive sustainable
development has been center-stage in world politics due to
increasing awareness of both the issues and the consequences.
Development champions including academics such as Jeffrey Sachs,
businesspeople like Bill Gates, politicians and celebri