South Asia Partners

Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)

The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) is an independent, public-interest, think-tank that provides advice to public, private and voluntary organisations and undertakes policy-oriented research, advocacy and training. It was formed in 1993 on the recommendation of the National Conservation Strategy (NCS). SDPI’s mission is “to catalyze the transition towards sustainable development defined as the enhancement of peace, social justice and well-being, within and across generations.”

The research program at SDPI is intended to drive the three main activities of policy advice, advocacy and training. Solicited and unsolicited policy advice is based on the institute’s research and looks to generate an improved sustainable development policy in government and civil society. The aim of advocacy campaigns is to create awareness of, and active support for, sustainable development in government and civil society. SDPI also provides high quality training to public and civil society organizations and individuals to strengthen institutions and build capacity for sustainable development. SDPI’s research program focuses on the following cross-cutting themes:

• Trade
• Environment
• Globalization and Rural Livelihoods
• Governance
• Human Development
• Information and Communications

www.sdpi.org

South Asia Watch on Trade Environment and Economics (SAWTEE)

"Enabling South Asian communities to benefit from and minimise the harms of changing regional and global economic paradigm."

Launched in December 1994 at Nagarkot, Nepal by a consortium of South Asian non-governmental organisations (NGOs), South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics & Environment (SAWTEE) is a recognised, registered, non-profit, non-governmental organisation.

The overall objective of SAWTEE is to build the capacity of the concerned stakeholders in South Asia, by equipping them with knowledge, information and skills to voice their concerns, particularly in the context of liberalisation and globalisation. Specific objectives include:

• to analyse various provisions of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreements and functioning of the system so as to promote social justice and economic equity at the national, regional and global levels;
• to conduct programmes aimed at enhancing participation of developing countries, in particular least developed countries (LDCs) and land locked countries in the global trading system;
• to facilitate the process of regional integration within South Asia from the non-governmental side;
• to establish linkages and promote cooperation with other organisations having similar objectives; and
• to conduct research and advocacy programmes on trade, regional cooperation and sustainable development issues affecting South Asia.

www.sawtee.org

Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS)

Established in 1984, Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) started off as a consumer protection organisation in Rajasthan, India. Since then, it has been working in several areas of public interest at the grassroots, national, sub-continental and international levels. These activities have now crystallised into five programmatic centres and three resource centres in India, Zambia, Kenya and UK under the umbrella of 'CUTS International'.

CUTS is involved in the area of trade and sustainable development in various ways and at various levels: international, sub-continental, national and state. The activities are focused mainly on WTO and related domestic policies. CUTS also works with several national, regional and international organisations, such as Consumers International, the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics & Environment, the Consumer Coordination Council of India, etc. It also serves on several policy-making bodies of the Government of India.

www.cuts-international.org

East West University

In keeping with its name, East West University, rated among the top private universities, endeavors to synthesize eastern culture and values with western thought and innovations. As an institution of higher learning that promotes and inculcates ethical standards, values and norms, East West University (EWU) is committed to the ideals of equal opportunity, transparency, and non-discrimination.

The primary education mission of EWU is to provide, at a reasonable cost, post-secondary education characterized by academic excellence in a range of subjects that are particularly relevant to current and anticipated societal needs. Central to the University's mission is providing students with opportunities, resources and expertise to achieve academic, personal and career goals within a stimulating and supportive environment. EWU is striving not only to maintain high quality in both instruction and research, it is also rendering community service through dissemination of information, organization of training programs and other activities.

www.ewubd.edu