IDS launched the Development Studies Learning Partnership under the BRICS Initiative in 2011, enabling collaborative learning between traditional and emerging actors in development, be they academics, researchers, practitioners or policy-makers.

The rapidly growing global and political influence of Rising Powers such as the BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – has been accompanied by rapid domestic growth and increased Foreign Direct Investment abroad. At the same time, the Rising Powers' role in international development cooperation has been formally recognised by 'traditional donors' clubs' such as the OECD-DAC.

Equally importantly, many of the Rising Powers have made significant advances in their national development and poverty reduction. As the Rising Powers become increasingly active as donors, they are seen to challenge the fifty year old paradigm of development and aid relations that emerged at the end of the colonial era. This raises important issues for debates on the future practice, policy, and study of international development cooperation.

IDS recognises the impact these geo-political changes have on the theory and practice of Development Studies (DS), and has designed the Development Studies Learning Partnership as a space which allows for collaborative learning, where IDS can formally incorporate learning from the BRICS and Rising Powers whilst sharing it's considerable expertise in DS. This mutual learning is the basis for a shared new approach to Development Studies.