The International Center for Human Development (ICHD or the Center) was established in March, 2000 and since then has been considered one of the unique think tanks in the South Caucasus. During its eventful six year history it has always adhered to its main principles and objectives, namely to unite the most prominent representatives of the public, scientific, cultural, and business sectors of the region, to strengthen the democratic mechanisms and to foster free market values, while simultaneously crafting regional collaboration and economic development strategies for the countries of the Caucasus.

Whatever the issue - conflict prevention or capacity building, anti-smoking campaigns or development of a virtual agricultural market - ICHD's mission is to help improve policy and decision making processes through research, analysis, training and advocacy. A key element for achieving this mission is to come up with unique solutions to the main issues in economic development and social safety. Towards this end ICHD uses a variety of means to communicate its research and perspectives to the broadest possible audiences, especially to critical groups such as policymakers, scholars, and the media.

ICHD strives to:

ICHD employs a team of highly-qualified analysts and researchers with strong academic background and substantial experience in both public governance and the private sector.

The Center has been actively involved in designing and implementing a wide range of projects and initiatives. It has published a substantial number of analytical viewpoints, policy briefs, articles, research papers, catalogues, leaflets and brochures, has trained more than 1000 professionals on a variety of themes both locally and regionally, has initiated public awareness and participation campaigns, held more than a thousand working meetings and organized numerous international conferences and business forums. All these activities have contributed to building up a reputation of a professional and reliable think tank both in and outside the country.

According to the Freedom House: “There are two major private think tanks in Armenia: the International Center for Human Development (ICHD) and the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS). Each has its own publications and periodically holds conferences and seminars. However, there is no evidence to assert that either institution has a serious impact on government policies yet”. Consequently, after five years of operation we see our goal for the upcoming years in making possible the realization of necessary and tangible impacts on the policy-making process and thus contributing to the strengthening of civil society in Armenia.