Paul G. Hoffman
The Notre Dame Initiative for Global Development (NDIGD), part of the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, has launched a new visiting associates program that will bring leading experts on global policy and practice to Notre Dame.
While in residence, those selected for the Paul G. Hoffman Policy and Practice Visiting Associates Program will work with Notre Dame faculty and researchers to write evidence-based, strategic publications. NDIGD will then work with these visiting associates to influence global policy and practice by circulating completed publications among key thought leaders; policymakers and government agencies; the private sector; and the academy.
While the Hoffman Visiting Associates Program is administered by NDIGD, other units at Notre Dame are strongly encouraged to collaborate with NDIGD in co-sponsoring associates who will produce publications on themes including energy and sustainability; the science of wellness; or the Sustainable Development Goals, among others. NDIGD also seeks to collaborate with external organizations—such as think tanks, corporations, or nonprofits—to co-sponsor associates. For instance, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), is currently working with NDIGD to co-sponsor a visiting associate.
“Notre Dame is leader among colleges and universities in recognizing the unique value, knowledge, and expertise that practitioners have to offer. On Capitol Hill, or at the UN, policymakers not only read academic journals when making key policy and funding decisions that directly affect the lives of millions in developing nations, they are also consulting with those who are in the field doing the work,” explained Sarah Ford, CRS director for partnership and capacity strengthening. “By combining our expertise in policy and practice with the academic expertise of Notre Dame, CRS hopes to develop succinct, strategic policy briefs and papers that will not only be read by policymakers, but instrumental in affecting their decisions.”
The Hoffman Visiting Associates Program is one of the first new initiatives to come out of NDIGD’s recently launched five-year strategic plan, which seeks to position NDIGD as an internationally recognized institution that boldly and effectively addresses global poverty and inequality through the avenues of policy, practice, and partnership.
“Our vision for this new program is that it will help support the efforts of NDIGD and the Keough School to develop greater quantities of evidence-based research on the issues of global poverty and inequality in collaboration with our world-class faculty and researchers,” said Ray Offenheiser, director of NDIGD and a Distinguished Professor of the Practice in the Keough School. “This program can help further establish our presence in key policy fora, where we hope to have an important impact on the lives of others. That is a goal that CRS shares with us, so it is especially fitting for us to launch this program with their integral support from the very start.”
This program is named in the spirit of Paul G. Hoffman, president of the Studebaker Corporation in South Bend from 1935 to 1948. Hoffman is better known, however, as the implementer of the Marshall Plan, which helped rebuild western Europe after the devastation of World War II and paved the way for the contemporary field of global development.
Applications for the Hoffman Visiting Associates Program are currently open and can be accessed through Interfolio. They will be accepted annually on a rolling basis. The responsibilities of associates, thematic areas, eligibility criteria, and additional information about the program is available at ndigd.nd.edu/Hoffman.
Organizations within or outside of the University that are interested in co-sponsoring a Hoffman Associate with NDIGD should contact Edward Jurkovic at ejurkovi@nd.edu, or (574) 631-9856.
The Notre Dame Initiative for Global Development (NDIGD)—an integral part of the new Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame—works to address global poverty and inequality through policy, practice, and partnership.
Contact: Luis Ruuska, communications specialist, Notre Dame Initiative for Global Development, lruuska@nd.edu
Originally published by at ndigd.nd.edu on March 26, 2019.