Our mission is to develop collaborative research, education, and public outreach partnerships linking Gabon and Oregon, the US and Africa, to address urgent sustainable development challenges and opportunities.
The Center represents a new partnership between the global North and South. It serves as a model for moving beyond 20th century notions of aid, technical assistance, and skills transfer towards mutual collaborations for the sustainable development of fragile ecosystems on both sides of the globe. For this reason, the Center has two locations: one in Libreville and the other in Eugene.
The Center seeks to advance sustainable development in Gabon and, through comparative analysis, in societies facing similar challenges and opportunities. Our diverse projects cluster in four research areas: environment, health, social and economic development, and specialized training and educational opportunities.
Our focus is on two-way collaboration grounded in respect and regular sharing of novel techniques and best practices for sustainable development. The Center engages in capacity building in Gabon and Oregon, ensuring that every research includes a robust training component and builds human capital.