What is WIDS?
The Warwick International Development Summit is a unique and internationally recognised student run weekend event that aims to raise awareness of development issues by challenging narrow conceptions of the issues through an innovative, joined up approach to development.
We bring together stakeholders from different sectors in development - from governments, civil society organisations, academia, international institutions and the private sector in both developed and developing countries - to reconcile policy, practice and theory through critical engagement and constructive debate.
The inaugural WIDS consisted of seven debates and talks over the weekend of 1st-3rd December 2006, bringing together over 30 speakers from 5 continents to a combined audience of over 950. While its primary target audience is Warwick students, many professionals- such as from the ILO, academics and students from outside the university attended in 2006.
After the summit a magazine is released covering the main issues raised in further detail. The 2006 magazine features among others articles from Clare Short MP, the former Secretary of State for International Development and Caroline Lucas the Green Party MEP for South East England.
We have gained a growing reputation amongst students worldwide, especially through the U8 network of which WIDS hosted the U8 2007 summit. U8 brings together students from developed and developing countries to engage in an inclusive global dialogue on development.
WIDS was featured in the Guardian as a great mechanism for global awareness and engagement.