Citizens Development Corps
The Citizens Development Corps (CDC) was formed on May 12, 1990 by President George H. W. Bush as the “Citizens Democracy Corps.”[1] It focuses on assisting formerly communist nations of Eastern Europe and of the former Soviet Union transition to market-based economies.
The organization is an independent 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization (NGO); however, most of its funding comes from the United States government, since it is primarily an implementer of USAID projects.
The CDC is headquartered in Washington, DC and operates in numerous countries throughout Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South & Central America. Its programs utilize local and US-based consultants, volunteer experts, and long-term volunteers.
Divisions
The MBA Enterprise Corps (MBAEC) was originally created at University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flager School of Business as an independent nonprofit organization. The idea for the organization came from a speech made by Ross Perot, where he encouraged graduates to go to Central Europe and other transforming economies to help them on their road to capitalism. The group's first director was Dr. Jack N. Behrman.
The first group of volunteers were sent in 1991, and were originally selected from a consortium of the top 25 business schools (such as Harvard, MIT, Dartmouth (Amos Tuck School of Business Administration), Kellogg, North Carolina, etc.) Graduates of these schools often had four or more years work experience prior to beginning their business school studies, intending to provide host companies with a combination of practical experience, theoretical knowledge, and enthusiasm. As the program spread to former Soviet republics, Africa, and Southeast Asia, the pool of graduates also expanded, and today the program sends recently graduated MBAs from 52 affiliated US business schools.
The long-term volunteer assignments (up to 15 months) begin with three months of language and culture training in country, then 12 or more months at private or recently privatized host companies. Almost 20 years later, alumni regularly return to their host countries, and many have remained in Central Europe or other developing countries, some owning their own companies and others in very senior positions at local and international firms.
The program merged with the Citizens Development Corps in 2006.
The Tourism Development Corps (TDC) was formed in 2005 to specifically assist in the development of sustainable tourism in developing countries.
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