RIDGE stands for the promotion of economic research in general, with particular emphasis on economic development, international economics and economic growth. It is conceived as an international research center of excellence in economics working in close relation with the most prominent economists worldwide. Its location in a developing country will doubtless favor the emergence of a research agenda centered on critical development issues. In the long term, RIDGE is expected to help the profession to reshape research priorities and foster new research perspectives in the study of development problems. The project is very ambitious, meaning that RIDGE hopes to quickly gain global prominence as a research institution in economics and economic development, its research being published in the most prestigious journals in economics.

The originality of RIDGE resides precisely in being a research institute where relevant issues will call for new advances in economics pursued jointly by general theorists, applied economists, field specialists and policy makers. In this sense, RIDGE aims to promote the debate on economic issues of high social impact and/or those of relevance for economic policy. For this reason, RIDGE is intended to have a close relation and contribute to the work of research departments of national, regional and international institutions as well as thinktanks located in Latin America and all around the globe. Even if RIDGE were mainly concerned with research issues of high relevance for developing countries, there would be room for general (pure or applied) economists.

Despite research being its focus, RIDGE will also run postgraduate education in economics to cover the increasing need of good professionals prepared to deal with development issues in public and private international and national institutions, particularly in developing countries. In this sense, RIDGE will organize, in coordination with local and regional master programs, top-level courses for students already registered in these programs. RIDGE will also provide technical courses for professionals working in public and private international and national institutions.

RIDGE intends to involve universities and research centers from the region, particularly from South America. Internationally reputable researchers visiting RIDGE are expected to give seminars in some of these universities. It is also expected that researchers from these institutions become RIDGE fellows and regularly participate in RIDGE activities.