The Social Policy and Development Centre (SPDC), a non-profit research think tank, has made a significant intellectual contribution in placing issues of pro-poor growth and social development on Pakistan’s policy-making agenda was established in 1995. With a focus on issues of development, poverty, inequality, governance, social sector policies, climate, gender issues, and pro-poor macro-economic policy, it contributes to the national goal of social development through research, policy advice, and advocacy. The Centre was ranked by the University of Pennsylvania as the top research think tank of Pakistan and 22nd in Asia / Pacific for two consecutive years (2012 and 2013)
SPDC is non-partisan and relies on its independence and the quality of its research to make notable contributions to national policymaking. It also collaborates and cooperates with organizations working on issues relevant to its mandate both at home and abroad and is a partner with several national and international networks on social and economic issues. Determining its own agenda SPDC has successfully maintained a balance between responsive and proactive social sector research
SPDC’s capability and capacity as a premier policy analysis institute is reflected by the nomination of its key staff members to more than 30 commissions, committees, task forces and other forums established by federal and provincial governments over the last two decades. Furthermore, it has worked on various aspects of poverty, inequality, and pro-poor growth that include definitional issues in estimating poverty line, other dynamics of poverty and inequality, poverty trends, poverty at sub-national levels, poverty and inequality nexus, social development and economic growth,social safety nets and regional inequalities. With some seven hundred plus publications to its credit SPDC provided technical assistance to the federal and provincial governments in the formulation of NFC Award of 1996, besides preparing studies/reports on provincial/ local finances and social service delivery.
Moreover, in Pakistan, SPDC pioneered specialized training on Gender Responsive Budgeting, whereas, internationally, technical assistance was provided to the Government of Eritrea in developing the capacity of the National Statistics and Evaluation Office, for developing the Living Standards Measurement Survey tools and Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper.
Vision & Mission of SPDC
Contribute to national economic and social development policies and programs to make them more accountable, pro-poor, engendered and equitable.
Objective of SPDC
SPDC is working towards the achievement of basic goals that contribute to the social development of Pakistan. Its purpose is to help the government and other civil society institutions by providing policy guidelines to successfully address the issues of human security through research and policy papers. SPDC works on all aspects of developmental issues that are related to the social sector in Pakistan.
Objectives of SPDC
- Contribute to the national goals of social development by addressing basic human needs through research and policy advice
- Undertake research and policy analyses on both core and emerging issues related to social sectors in Pakistan
- Provide policy advice and technical assistance in social service planning and delivery to civil society organizations and to the government at federal, provincial, and local levels
- Contribute to increase knowledge and awareness of social development issues through wider and well-targeted dissemination of research findings
- Contribute and encourage gendered interpretation of all developmental issues