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World Institute for Development Economics Research

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WIDER or UN University World Institute for Development Economics Research is a development economics research institute founded 1984 in Helsinki.

WIDER is a part of the UN University (UNU), which is a controlling organization for research institutes. WIDER aims to make cross-disciplinary research and political analysis of the actions that affect the living conditions of world's poor population. WIDER employs about 15 regular researchers, several visiting ones and postgraduate students.

Scandal

By 1993 information about the careless use of funds and outright abuses in WIDER had received wide publicity. Lal Jayawardena, the first director of WIDER, ruled the institute with a corrupt hand constantly drawing money for various personal expenses. The rent for the office space was excessive due to unused space, foreign researchers received funding for expensive studies while the millions of marks meant for domestic ones went missing with no explanation. Money was moved around through criminal and shady banks and foundations (BCCI, Sasakawa). An estimate for the taxpayer money burned during the corrupt reign was over 300 million marks.[1][2]

  1. ^ Sainio, Pentti: Operaatio Ahtisaari. Art House, 1993
  2. ^ Helsingin Sanomat, monthly supplement 6.2.1993
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