Functions

The Center works as an independent think tank engaged in policy research and analysis of the issues confronting the region by adopting modern interdisciplinary approaches. The Center has capability to collect information and conduct research on a vide range of subjects in the social policies and institutional reforms, public finances, governance, and other development related matters in context of Sindh, Pakistan and South Asia. The information thus gathered is disseminated amongst the stakeholders including the government, NGOs, media and the interest groups in order to bring positive policy changes.

• Policy Analysis



The Center has the distinction of having more than forty most celebrated experts in various fields on its panel of resource persons. The panel comprises of the celebrities drawn from amongst the senior policy makers, former judges of Supreme and High Courts, academics, educationists, administrators, social workers, sociologists, economists, agriculturalists, irrigation experts, political scientists and development professionals. This panel of resource persons is further divided into various committees for specific areas. These experts work as think-tank and examine and analyze various policies and issues confronting the region.

• Research



The Center conducts research on various subjects and issues relating to socio-economic sphere and has capability to collect data and information on key focus areas particularly in the rural and urban Sindh. For this purpose the Center has a very well qualified core research staff working on full time basis that works in collaboration and consultation with other consultants and resource persons. The Center has also a reference library equipped with Internet facility and on-line access, with a good number of books on a variety of subjects. The Center has also academic linkage programs with most reputable universities and academic institutions within the country and abroad, helping enhancing the availability of expertise as well as the capability of collecting data and information.

• Capacity Building



The Center works for capacity building of local Non governmental organizations as well as community based organization, particularly those operating in the interior of Sindh, through trainings, courses, workshops and regular interaction. The activists of these organizations are trained to acquire necessary skills and talents required for the community development in an environmental friendly fashion. The participants of such programs are taught to use modern computational methods and other research tools, taking full advantage of the facilities available at the Center.

• Consultancy



The Center also provides consultancy services in select areas to various international and national NGOs, multinational and government organizations. In this regard the Center has so far carried out a number of studies on behalf of numerous national and international organizations and is in process of conducting studies on a variety of topics relating to interior and rural Sindh, ranging from social issues to economic subjects.

• Information Dissemination



One of the most important functions of the Center is to disseminate information so gathered through its activities. For this purpose, the Center organizes seminars, conferences, workshops etc in addition to publishing some of the reports. The Center also organizes guest speaker sessions at its premises, located in the heart of the city, which provides a valuable forum for students, industry professionals and government officials who may benefit considerably from exchange of ideas and sharing of experiences.