CUID open debates are informal discussion groups which meet every other Thursday at the Cafe Project on Jesus Lane to talk about development issues. They are quite small scale and participants are encouraged to share their views with the rest of the group. A small amount of prior knowledge is usually required, but this first session is an introduction.

In this first session our open debate leader, Joe Studwell, will talk about what he thinks are the most important contributing factors in developmental success and why his expertise in Asia has led him to this conclusion. This first discussion sets the scene for the series and invites those attending to challenge Joe's 'big picture', suggest alternatives and pose questions to be addressed during the series.