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Objectives

The Centre was established as a platform for research and teaching in the field of poverty

and development studies. In this respect the establishment of CPDS is timely and it is

envisaged that it will become a critical reference point for academic work, research and
consultancy for poverty and development studies to serve the academic community, the

general public, policy makers and the international community. The initial objectives of
CPDS are summarized below:

(1) To organize joint research projects and undertake comparative studies on poverty and

rural development including amongst rural communities in remote and marginalized
areas.

(2) To develop new approaches and methodologies that are suitable for poverty and

development studies, as well as to provide consultancy services and technical
assistance.

(3) To improve accessibility to information pertaining to poverty groups through creation

of data bases, publications, seminars and conferences as well as through the internet
and the media.

(4) To contribute towards capacity building in the rural areas especially amongst the
poor encouraging the incorporation of local and indigenous knowledge in the

development process.
(5) To encourage co-operation between the Government, Private and educational sectors

through the sharing of best practices in integrated development activities.

Our Research Pillars

Since its establishment, CPDS has developed new research directions anchored by eight (8)
Research Pillars:

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