SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY INSTITUTE All rights reserved. No part of this report may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or information storage and retrieval system, without prior written Wpermission of the publisher. A publication of Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) SDPI is an independent, non-profit research institute on sustainable development © 2015 by Sustainable Development Policy Institute Acknowledgement: The compilation of this report would not have been possible without the input and guidance from colleagues at the institute. Edited by: Saleem Khilji Compiled by: Mome Saleem Assisted by: Tahir Saeed Designed by: Abdul Basit Khan ANNUAL REPORT 2015 CONTENTS 1 7 11 Section 1: Section 2: Section 3: Introduction to SDPI Major Achievements of SDPI Policy Research 33 35 39 Section 4: Section 5: Section 6: Monitoring and Evaluation/ Policy Support Policy Engagement and Survey Unit Communication 53 59 63 Section 7: Section 8: Section 9: Publication and Centre for Capacity Building Research Support Resource Centre 65 67 Section 10: Annexures Once SDPIANS, Always SDPIANS ANNUAL REPORT 2015 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Looking back at the research work, policy outreach, and policy influence by the diverse and committed SDPI team across various themes during the year 2015, I felt great as SDPI not only proved its policy relevance in Pakistan but also in the region. We notched up five major positions on the Global Go To Think-Tank Index - a ranking by University of Pennsylvania to acknowledge the important contributions and emerging global trends of think-tanks (TT) worldwide. In the global ranking, we were ranked 64th among the “TTs Working on Environmental Issues”. We were ranked 38th among the “TTs with Best Transdisciplinary Research Program”. Our publication, “State of Food Security in Pakistan and Policy Options”, was ranked 30th in “the Best Policy Study/Report Produced By a TT in 2014”. We achieved 55th position among “the TTs to Watch” category. In Asia Pacific (a category of Asian Pacific countries excluding China, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and former Russian States) we were ranked as 19th Top Think Tank. Regionally, SDPI was unanimously elected the Co-Chair of Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA). It also got elected as the President of International Society of Doctors for Environment (ISDE). We are considered as one of the premier Think Tanks of Pakistan. This can be validated from our presence on key policy forums: National Economic Advisory Council; National Advisory Committee of Planning Commission; Finance Minister’s Task Force on Integration of Social Safety Nets; National Advisory Committee of Peace and Development Unit of the Planning Commission; and National Advisory Council of UNDP on Inclusive and Sustainable Growth, etc. Our research output is not only noted by the policy makers, but also by the superior judiciary. This year, SDPI was appointed on two high level judicial commissions, i.e. Islamabad Environment Commission, and Climate Change Commission; both the commissions were formed through the orders of Islamabad High Court and Lahore High Court respectively. SDPI has been extending support to two clusters of parliamentarians; these are Council for Women Parliamentarians (CWP), and Non-Muslim Parliamentarians Caucus (NMPC). SDPI supported a member to table a bill on non-Muslim sensitive educational reforms in the national assembly based on the research conducted by the institute. We were consulted and invited by the mainstream electronic and print media for the analysis of budget 2015, floods, food security and famine, tax reforms, education, energy, political barometers, and local government elections. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY INSTITUTE Our annual Sustainable Development Conference (SDC) has turned into a mega congregation of academicians, policy makers, people who influence policy and public thought leaders, working in and on South Asian issues across the globe. Last year’s SDC, the 17th in the series, was inaugurated by Honourable President of Islamic Republic Pakistan, H.E. Mr Mamnoon Hussain whereas the UN Under Secretary General (Executive Secretary of UNESCAP) was the keynote speaker. Senior ministers, government officials, and parliamentarians (both from treasury and opposition benches) also joined the galaxy of experts on key themes and sub themes of the conference. The recommendations of the conference were sent to the key capitals in the region. All the above-mentioned achievements and recognitions are due to our credible and independent research findings. Among the most important are: District Education Ranking, Perception Mapping of Political Trends, Open Access Data Portal on Education and Nutrition, Analysis of FBR Taxpayers’ Directory, and Analysis of Restoration of Livelihoods in KP after Conflict. Looking at the success journey of last 23 years in general and last year in particular, I can say with confidence that we are now able to turn knowledge into action. With each passing year, we raised the research quality and quantity bar for ourselves. Success and recognition come with added responsibilities, and like always, I keep reminding my team that our stakeholders do not expect anything less than perfection from us. On behalf of team SDPI, I cannot help thanking our partners, media, CSOs and the members of our Board of Governors for their continued trust in us. Their trust and our dedicated work is a winning combination and I feel lucky to be the part of a winning team. Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri Executive Director, SDPI ANNUAL REPORT 2015 Section 1: INTRODUCTION TO SDPI About SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) Mission is an independent public policy think tank which To catalyze the transition towards sustainable generates and disseminates knowledge. It provides development defined as the enhancement of peace, research based policy advice to legislators, policy social justice and wellbeing within and across makers, students, journalists, trade unions, farmers, generations and public, private and voluntary organizations. Founded 23 years ago (August 1992) on the Vision recommendation of Pakistan National Conservation To be the center of excellence on sustainable Strategy (NCS), also called Pakistan’s Agenda 21, development policy research, capacity building and SDPI was registered under Societies Registration advocacy in Pakistan Act XXI of 1860. The NCS outlined the need for an independent policy think tank to serve as a source of expertise for policy formulation, policy analysis, policy intervention, and policy programme advisory services. 1 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY INSTITUTE SDPI at a glance 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2015 Board of Governors (BoGs) Mr Shafqat Kakakhel Chairperson Former Ambassador & Former Deputy Executive Director of United Nations Environment Program Professor Ahsan Iqbal Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Syed Naveed Qamar Member of National Assembly Former Federal Minister for Defence, Privatization and Finance Ms Roshan Khursheed Bharucha Former Senator Chairperson of SOS Children Village, Quetta Mr Shamim Ahmad Khan Director of Packages Former Federal Secretary to Government of Pakistan 3 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY INSTITUTE Mr Adil Khattak Chief Executive Officer of Attock Refinery Limited Professor Dr Samina Amin Qadir Vice Chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Women University Rawalpindi Ms Aisha Khan Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mountain and Glacier Organization Engineer M. Abdul Jabbar Chief Executive of Qaim Automotive Manufacturing Private Limited Former Vice President of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri Ex-officio Member Executive Director of Sustainable Development Policy Institute 4 ANNUAL REPORT 2015 B. Mapping SDPI’s Work Mapping the Survey 5 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY INSTITUTE Mapping Capacity Building Activities 6 ANNUAL REPORT 2015 SECTION 2: MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF SDPI (November 2014 to October 2015) A. Policy Research B. Policy Support In 2013, SDPI pioneered the district ranking The policy recommendations on agriculture and on the quality of education. This year, it food security presented by the SDPI’s Executive successfully launched the 3rd Pakistan district Director (ED) to the National Economic education ranking 2015 under Alif Ailaan project. Advisory Council were adopted by the federal Every year the data is improved by way of adding government in the Federal Budget 2015-16. more indicators. Many of these recommendations have also been included in the Prime Minister’s Kissan In the year 2015, SDPI conducted fourth Package (package for farmers). Political Barometer Survey. The survey is based on the perceptions of 3,014 respondents SDPI’s work is not only recognized by policy and was conducted during the period of August circles but also by higher judiciary. In 2015, SDPI 25, 2015 to September 10, 2015. The survey was appointed on two high powered judicial brought forward the findings that illustrate commissions on Environment and Climate current political and voting preference, Change called “Islamabad Environment governance structures and satisfaction, and Commission (IEC)” (formed by Islamabad perception about foreign policy, terrorism, and High Court (IHC) in April 2015) and “Climate socio-economic issues. Change Commission (CCC)” (formed by Lahore High Court (LHC) in September SDPI successfully set up a data portal to 2015). SDPI