About Center for effective global action
The Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) is a leading research center at the University of California that focuses on global development. The center's faculty affiliates use rigorous evaluation and economic analysis to measure the impacts of large-scale social and economic development projects. CEGA's mission is to generate evidence-based solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems, including poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation.
CEGA was founded in 2008 with a vision to bring together researchers from different disciplines who share a common goal: improving lives in developing countries through evidence-based policy interventions. Today, CEGA has grown into a vibrant community of over 100 faculty affiliates from various departments across UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Davis, and UC San Diego.
One of CEGA's core strengths is its focus on rigorous evaluation methods. The center uses randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to test the effectiveness of various interventions in real-world settings. RCTs are considered the gold standard for evaluating social programs because they allow researchers to isolate the impact of an intervention from other factors that may influence outcomes.
CEGA also employs cutting-edge economic analysis techniques to understand how policies affect people's lives. For example, economists at CEGA use microeconomic models to study how changes in agricultural productivity or access to credit can impact household income and well-being.
The research conducted by CEGA has had significant impacts on policy-making around the world. For instance, one study conducted by CEGA researchers found that providing free school uniforms increased school attendance rates among girls in Kenya by 12%. This finding led policymakers in Kenya to implement a national program providing free uniforms for all primary school students.
Another example comes from India where researchers affiliated with CEGA found that providing households with piped water reduced child mortality rates by 25%. This finding led policymakers in India to invest more resources into expanding access to clean water across the country.
In addition to conducting research on global development issues, CEGA also provides training opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers related to international development. The center offers courses on topics such as impact evaluation methods and data analysis as well as internships and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students.
Overall, The Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) is an essential resource for anyone interested in understanding how evidence-based policies can improve lives around the world. With its focus on rigorous evaluation methods and cutting-edge economic analysis techniques, this premier research center at UC Berkeley continues making significant contributions towards solving some of today’s most pressing global challenges while training future leaders who will continue this important work long after they leave campus!