Social Science Research Council The Development Imperative: Toward a People-Centered Approach, New York: Social Science Research Council, 2005.
"The International Forum for Development has the potential to serve
as a think tank and catalyst for fostering viable alternatives to mainstream
trade and development strategies which will ensure greater
social equity and which will draw more extensively on the experience
and knowledge of countries and experts from the global South.
IFD’s annual meeting is one important vehicle for highlighting this
work to key policymakers and advocacy organizations and for building
new alliances for change.
I am particularly pleased that our first annual conference included
a public session open to interested individuals, groups and organizations
concerned with social justice and equitable development as
well as a number of smaller panel discussions which will bring
together UN delegates and civil society organizations to address
themes of particular concern to the NGO and civil society community.
It is that connection—between the best academic research and
policy alternatives, policymakers in government and civil society
actors—that is missing today and which prevents necessary reforms
in so many cases."
