The Southern African Regional Poverty Network is a non-profit organisation that promotes debate and knowledge sharing on poverty reduction processes and experiences in Southern Africa. SARPN aims to contribute towards effective reduction of poverty in the countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) through creating platforms for effective pro-poor policy, strategy and practice.
SARPN achieves this goal through widening participation, bringing people together across the region to exchange ideas, and disseminating information to deepen understandings of poverty issues and improve policy and practice.
SARPN’s purpose:
- Knowledge management
- Building linkages
- Promoting debate
SARPN was originally established as a project of the Human Sciences Research Council in 2001. In 2004 it became an independent regional entity, supported by a board of 20 regional policy makers, academics and civil society members. The organization is run through a secretariat based on Pretoria and drawn from the SADC region.
SARPN’s areas of focus:
Social Dimensions Programme:
- Food security & hunger
- Livelihoods & vulnerability
- Social safety nets & social protection
Economic Dimensions Programme:
- International & regional trade policy
- Resource flows & use
- Macroeconomic & global initiatives (PRSPs; MDGs)
Political Dimensions Programme:
- Democracy & governance
- Regional integration
- Land reform