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U.N. Research Institute for Social DevelopmentLink to Address of OrganizationWeb Address of this Organization

The United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) is an independently financed research institute within the United Nations system that conducts research on social issues related to development. Through its research, UNRISD seeks to stimulate dialogue and contribute to policy debates on key issues of social development. UNRISD has its offices in Geneva and its Director is Thandika Mkandawire of Sweden.

UNRISD was created in 1963 as part of the first United Nations Development Decade's "new approach to development" and is the only United Nations organization exclusively engaged in research on social development. As an autonomous organization, UNRISD is not associated with any single U.N. specialized agency. It has consultative relationships with other UN organizations as well as non-governmental agencies, and research institutes.

The UNRISD Board of Advisors, composed of leading academics, has the responsibility of approving the institute's program and budget. Research is guided by two core values: that every human being has a right to decent livelihood and that all people should be allowed to participate on equal terms in decisions that affect their lives. URISD seeks to promote capacity building by giving reserachers in developing countries opportunities to participate in on-going projects. URISD also organizes national workshops in countries where research is carried out. Thought these sessions, URISD aims to feed research results into local decision making processes.

The War-Torn Societies Project
The War-Torn Societies Project (WSP) was set up in 1994 to explore the challenges involved in post-conflict rebuilding and to help determine how external assistance can complement local efforts. The project is a joint activity of the UNRISD and the Programme for Strategic and International Security Studies (PSIS) of the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva. WSP has conducted fieldwork in Eritrea, Mozambique, Guatemala and Somalia.

Budget: UNRISD receives no money from the UN general budget. It seeks funding in the form of core contributions and grants for specific projects. Core founding comes from a small group of countries and is generally pledged on an annual basis. Project funding is sought by URISD's director and research staff as needed. The Institute has an annual operating budget of approximately $4 million.

Internet
www.unrisd.org
Includes the full text of over 80 publications on social development, and information on past and present research projects.

Address
United Nations Research Institute for Social Development
Palais des Nations
1211 Geneva 10

Telephone: 917.30.20
Fax: 917.06.50
E-mail: info@unrisd.org