The Global Development Network's Ninth Annual Global Development Conference will bring together nearly 600 researchers, policymakers and development practitioners from across the world to discuss the role of physical security as a precondition of human development. The conference will focus on pervasive threats, whose potential to cause physical or material damage shortens the planning horizons of individuals,communities and enterprises and challenges their survival. Threats to be addressed include violence (domestic abuse, violent crime, and civil conflict), and major calamities including pandemics and natural disasters (such as earthquakes, drought and floods). The conference will go beyond the recognition and identification of threats by highlighting responses in various parts of the world.

The two and a half day conference will be supplemented by research workshops on a variety of topics. These workshops will both precede and follow the conference proper. Confirmed events include: "Interdisciplinary Research for Development;" "Law and Development in the Pacific" to be organised by the University of Queensland; and workshops on existing GDN research projects on migration, health innovations, bridging research and policy, and fragile states.