It is a tragic fact that over a billion people must try to survive on less than one dollar a day, and three billion people (that's almost half of the world) struggle to make ends meet on less than two dollars a day. The world's poor suffer not only from lack of income and food, but also from the ravages of war, disease, environmental destruction and neglect. Called to be a redemptive force in this world, Calvin College has established the International Development Studies (IDS) program to equip students for leadership in building global awareness and in promoting transformational development throughout the world. Specific goals of the program are to

• Expand awareness of global hunger, poverty and oppression;
• Understand and appreciate people in developing countries from an interdisciplinary perspective;
• Provide theoretical foundations and Christian perspectives for analyzing the problems and solutions of human development;
• Nurture a Christ-like spirit of compassion for suffering people around the world; and
• Prepare students with knowledge, skills and virtues for entry level positions in development organizations or for study in graduate programs.

Calvin's unique program combines global knowledge, theoretical understanding and practical skills, all the while nurturing a compassionate and humble heart. Students can major or minor in IDS. Either way, students will be well prepared to take up the task of being Christ's witnesses to a hurting world.