The United Nations Research Institute for Social Development

carries out research on the social dimensions of contemporary problems affecting development. Through its research, UNRISD stimulates dialogue and contributes to policy debates within and outside the United Nations system.

 The UNRISD Web site (www.unrisd.org) features hundreds of online publications on cutting edge issues related to poverty eradication, democratization, human rights, gender equity, environmental sustainability and globalization. The site also includes a free Email Alerts service (www.unrisd.org/alerts) informing subscribers about new publications, events and research findings.

Over the years, UNRISD research has been guided by two core values: that every human being has a right to a decent livelihood and that all people should be allowed to participate on equal terms in decisions that affect their lives. The challenge for research is not only to reinforce and help operationalize these values, but also to expose the extent to which they are being ignored.

UNRISD’s work is guided by the conviction that, for effective development policies to be formulated, an understanding of the social and political context is crucial. The Institute attempts to provide governments, development agencies, grassroots organizations and scholars with a better understanding of how development policies and processes of economic, social and environmental change affect different social groups. Working through an extensive network of national research centres, UNRISD aims to promote original research and strengthen research capacity in developing countries.