About IPRSE
The Institute for Policy Research and Social Empowerment (IPRSE) is a Malawian registered Think-tank working towards the promotion of progressive thinking in Malawi, through well researched and clearly argued policy analysis, discussion papers, reports and publications. The Institute was registered in May 2005 under the 1984 Malawi Registration Act no 19, registration number 7880.
Vision
To be a leading research institute in Malawi, well recognized at the international level as a center of excellence that supports national policy processes that are evidence-based, highly consultative and participatory.
Mission Statement
To enhance public policy debate through policy entrepreneurship and advocacy informed by analytically rigorous research and positive engagement with stakeholders at all levels of society to facilitate transformation and renewal by seeking pragmatic and innovative solutions to development challenges, livelihood and prosperity:
- Equipping and empowering partners and stakeholders to influence and contribute to the development of sustainable and lasting solutions to development problems and challenges.
- Contributing to the efforts geared at pioneering new, creative and evidence based approaches in the field of policy making and development.
- Promoting the social sector as a strategic sphere in the overall development agenda of the country.
- Identifying and championing the implementation of policy alternatives that are sensitive, context-specific, flexible and pragmatic.
How do we work
IPRSE endeavors to conduct rigorous and impartial research and evaluation of policies and programs as well as the publication and dissemination of the findings through well developed strong networks in government, donor community, academia, corporate, civil society and the community in general.
Operational Philosophy
IPRSE uses a holistic approach in dealing with a wide range of policy issues that have a direct impact on the livelihoods of the people in Malawi. A historic strategy is indispensable because IPRSE realizes that policy problems in various realms are multifaceted in nature such that narrowly conceptualized policy strategies are likely to be unsuccessful.
This operative philosophy builds on IPRSE’s research experience which demonstrated that a well-synchronized holistic approach, for example, has a higher potential to mitigate the adverse impacts of HIV/AIDS by dealing with intervening variables that enjoy a direct positive cause-effect with HIV/AIDS.
Through advocacy IPRSE will endeavor to ensure that policy makers use research for evidence based policy making.
Expertise
IPRSE has an established pool of recognized and respected local researchers from the University of Malawi and other well recognized institutions with varying skills in the following fields:
- Decentralization and Poverty Reduction, Governance and Democracy, Institutions and Policy Analysis, Globalization and Region integration, Monitoring and Evaluation. Public policy and Institutional Analysis, Political Economy, Public Law, Governance and Development and Political Science.
- Project/programme design, project management, participatory and action research, as well as training others in participatory M & E
- Designing, lecturing and training in the following fields Public Policy Analysis, Development Management and Administration, Institutions and Development ,Demographic Studies, Economics and Computer Sciences, Monitoring and Evaluation, Research and Data Analysis, Project Management and Information Technology(IT)
- Provision of consultancy services to both Government and Non State Actors.
The skills and competence of the researchers are also reflected in their individual outstanding track record of publications particularly in the areas of rural livelihoods, Governance, Institutional Analysis and policy making in Malawi.
Contact details
Institute for Policy Research & Social Empowerment,
Centre House Arcade, City Centre,
P/Bag 236,
Lilongwe,
Malawi.
Tel: 01 77 11 68
www.iprsemalawi.org
Contactperson:
Kondwani F. Chikadza,
Programme Manager- Social Protection,
Cel: 08 787 512
