Sustainable Development Policy Institute
Encyclopedia
The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) provides the global sustainable development community with representation from Pakistan as well as South Asia as a whole. The Institute's mission is: "To catalyse the transition towards sustainable development
, defined as the enhancement of peace
, social justice
and well-—being, within and across generations". The think tank
is based in Islamabad
, Pakistan
.
SDPI was founded in August 1992 on the recommendation of the Pakistan National Conservation Strategy (NCS), also called Pakistan’s Agenda 21. The NCS placed Pakistan’s socio-economic development within the context of a national environmental plan. This highly acclaimed document, approved by the Federal Cabinet in March 1992, outlined the need for an independent non-profit organization to serve as a source of expertise for policy analysis and development, policy intervention, and policy and program advisory services. SDPI is registered under the Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860.
Dr. Shah Rukh Rafi Khan succeeded Dr. Banuri and served as Executive Director from 1997-2002
Dr. Saba Gul Khattak, currently member National Planning Commission Pakistan, headed SDPI from 2002-2007
Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri current Executive Director of SDPI took over from Dr. Khattak in 2007.
To
The Institute's activities are designed to provide:
1. Research
An effective and viable institution conducting independent research on sustainable development
2. Advocacy
Creation of broad awareness of, and active support for, sustainable development in government,
the private sector, NGOs, academia and the general public
3. Policy Advice
Improved sustainable development policy in government, private and NGO sectors
4. Capacity Building/Training
Provision of high quality training to public and private organizations, NGOs and individuals
to strengthen institutions and build capacity for sustainable development
within and across generations. SDPI produces knowledge that can enhance the capacity of government
to make informed policy decisions and to engage civil society on issues of public interest.
The Institute acts as both a generator of original research on sustainable development issues
and as an information resource for concerned individuals and institutions. SDPI’s function
is thus two-fold: an advisory role fulfilled through research, policy advice and advocacy; and
an enabling role realised through providing other individuals and organizations with
resource materials and training. We welcome your views and any inquiries you may have on our
(http://www.sdpi.org) website and/or organization as a whole.
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
, defined as the enhancement of peace
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
, social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
and well-—being, within and across generations". The think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
is based in Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
.
SDPI was founded in August 1992 on the recommendation of the Pakistan National Conservation Strategy (NCS), also called Pakistan’s Agenda 21. The NCS placed Pakistan’s socio-economic development within the context of a national environmental plan. This highly acclaimed document, approved by the Federal Cabinet in March 1992, outlined the need for an independent non-profit organization to serve as a source of expertise for policy analysis and development, policy intervention, and policy and program advisory services. SDPI is registered under the Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860.
Executive Directors
Dr. Tariq Banuri was the founding Executive Director of SDPI. He served from 1992-1997Dr. Shah Rukh Rafi Khan succeeded Dr. Banuri and served as Executive Director from 1997-2002
Dr. Saba Gul Khattak, currently member National Planning Commission Pakistan, headed SDPI from 2002-2007
Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri current Executive Director of SDPI took over from Dr. Khattak in 2007.
Mandate
To- Conduct policy advice, policy oriented research and advocacy from a broad multi-disciplinary perspective.
- Promote the implementation of policies, programs, laws and regulations based on sustainable development.
- Strengthen civil society and facilitate civil society-government interaction through collaboration with other organizations and activist networks.
- Disseminate research findings and public education through the media, conferences, seminars, lectures, publications and curricula development.
- Contribute to building up national research capacity and infrastructure.
Goals
These goals reflect the main axes of our work; the means through which we effect change.To
- catalyze the transition towards sustainable and just development in Pakistan.
- serve as a source of expertise and advisory services for the government, private sector, and non-governmental initiatives supporting the implementation of Pakistan's environment and development agenda.
- conduct policy-oriented research on sustainable development from a broad multi-disciplinary perspective.
- provide policy advice on matters relating to the mission of the Institute.
- contribute to strengthening the social and physical infrastructure for research in Pakistan.
- initiate, establish and participate in collaborative advocacy and other activities with like-minded organizations in and outside the country.
The Institute's activities are designed to provide:
- Policy advice to government
- A forum for policy dialogue
- Support to in-house, visiting and external researchers
- Publications for research, public and private sector use
- A conduit for North South dialogue
- An environment for information dissemination and training
- A base for regional advocacy and networking
Focus
The research program at SDPI drives the three main activities of policy advice, advocacy and training.1. Research
An effective and viable institution conducting independent research on sustainable development
2. Advocacy
Creation of broad awareness of, and active support for, sustainable development in government,
the private sector, NGOs, academia and the general public
3. Policy Advice
Improved sustainable development policy in government, private and NGO sectors
4. Capacity Building/Training
Provision of high quality training to public and private organizations, NGOs and individuals
to strengthen institutions and build capacity for sustainable development
Approach
SDPI defines sustainable development as the enhancement of peace, social justice and well-beingwithin and across generations. SDPI produces knowledge that can enhance the capacity of government
to make informed policy decisions and to engage civil society on issues of public interest.
The Institute acts as both a generator of original research on sustainable development issues
and as an information resource for concerned individuals and institutions. SDPI’s function
is thus two-fold: an advisory role fulfilled through research, policy advice and advocacy; and
an enabling role realised through providing other individuals and organizations with
resource materials and training. We welcome your views and any inquiries you may have on our
(http://www.sdpi.org) website and/or organization as a whole.