PDRC Background
Puntland Development & Research Centre (PDRC) is a successor body of former War-torn Societies Project International (WSPI), which operated in Puntland during 1997–99. On October 30, 1999, the center was founded as an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit research institute dedicated to peacebuilding,promotion of democracy andrespect for human rights. PDRC is now celebrating its 20thanniversary in which the centre has accumulated 20 years in research development, policy advising and educating / awareness raising.
PDRC’s main office is situated in Garowe, the capital of Puntland. It has a branch office in Galkayo (Galkayo Satellite Office – GSO), the regional capital of Mudug region. The management coordinates the activities of both offices.
The PDRC audio-visual unit was established in 2007 to serve the research program as an indispensable technical tool. The Mobile Audio and Video branch of the facility is making impressive development both in the rural and in the urban centers. The mobile AV facility of PDRC has proven to be a powerful peace-building tool and an efficient means to fight community isolation, piracy, and insecurity, on the other hand, a vehicle to make heard of unheard voices from the countryside. Given the overwhelmingly oral Somali culture, PDRC MAVU project has also shown to be an innovative and effective tool for disseminating information and raising public awareness on issues related to peace, security, reconciliation, democratisation, culture, education and development by hosting public film screenings and film-based discussions on a range of issues falling within these themes, MAVU has been able to bring important discussions on these subjects to hard-to-reach communities “off of the tarmac road.”
PDRC has provided a platform for the government and opposition political figures to resolve disagreements leading up to multiple, peaceful, transitions of power. The center has also conducted mediation dialogues between elders of feuding clans conducting, time and again proving our commitment to the restoration of peace, stability and progress on numerous forefronts. More specifically, the Rako Peace Agreement and Xero-Jalle Peace Agreement testify on PDRC’s capacity to deliver local peace building.
Puntland Development and Research Center (PDRC) initiated a monthly event called PDRCTalks. This event is a new initiative to spread ideas, messages, and awareness on issues related to Somalia. These issues cover topics ranging from governance, democratisation, peace and development which are the key focus areas of PDRC.
As such, PDRCTalks spearheads useful dialogue by Somali intellectuals including Somali women and politicians, business people, to discuss current and trending topics that face the country. The aim of PDRCTalks is to spark conversation within the Somali community and through this useful dialogue, change the attitudes and lives of Somalis. Social media is utilized to spread the messages throughout Somali communities living in the diaspora and within the country, through live streams. PDRCTalks has been received well and has featured prominent figures in Somali society to bring to the fore a multi-faceted number of topics in politics, economics, social issues as well as cultural themes.
PDRCTalks is a great addition to PDRC’s vision as a solutions oriented organization that prides itself in offering useful tools to bring about peaceful coexisting and economic development by all Somalis, regardless of clan orientation or social status.
Our Vision
Our Mission
PDRC aspires to participate, as actor and beneficiary, in peace building and reconstruction of Somalia; and to contribute to the creation of a democratic system of government, social and economic development, and respect of human rights for all.
Strategic Objectives
- To contribute to peace, and human security which could contribute to the reconstruction and development of Puntland and Somalia as whole.
- To provide a neutral forum for peace building and reconciliation through dialogue among key actors (government authorities, civil society, private sector & international actors).
- To conduct evidence-based research and analysis that identifies development problems and priorities facing the Puntland government and its people.
- To inform public policy and to help develop conscious strategies and options for inclusive and sustainable development.
Methodology
The center has adopted “Participatory Action Research – (PAR)” as a strategic tool for peace building, reconstruction, development, and democratization of government systems, both traditional and modern. PDRC conducted wide-ranging Participatory Action Research (PAR) throughout Puntland, leading to a build-up of confidence, ownership of processes and, above all, consensus on issues discussed. Additionally, an Audio Visual Unit serves as a complimentary tool for the research program in providing empirical evidence and research-based films for dissemination and raising awareness on key social issues.