About IPRN

Social science research especially in the area of socio-economic development has gained attention after the second world war but has been generally conducted through academia and specialized research institutes mostly connected with government. In the non-profit sector, research has grown in the past half century primarily as a function of advocacy. Trade unions, development institutions (NGOs), civic and charity organizations engaged professional researches while some developed advocacy and communication departments to conduct research as part of their mandate.

In Asia-Pacific, Africa and Latin America advocacy non-profit organizations and networks also developed, creating momentum for the conduct of research that were no longer linked to academia or mainstream research institutes. In time, alternative research non-profit organizations emerged which focused their attention to conducting policy research for public advocacy. We can cite as examples Third World Network, IBON, Abong, Econews Kenya, Aftinet and Asia Pacific Research Network among many others.