The IDEC Institute was founded in 2020 as a cross-university entity with a dedicated mission: to spearhead interdisciplinary and international research through collaboration among researchers from diverse fields. This institute is the successor of the Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation (IDEC), established in 1994 to nurture experts in international development fields. We carry forward the IDEC name as a testament to the legacy of Hiroshima University. Presently, the Institute hosts four research centers (CICE, CEPEAS, PHIS, and CGP) and continues to evolve and expand.