Social Development in an Uncertain World: UNRISD Research Agenda 2010–2014

The UNRISD research agenda for 2010–2014 is grounded in a particular understanding of social development, including not only improvements in material well-being but also progress in relation to equity, social cohesion and democratic participation. Over the past decade, UNRISD research has focused on how social policy contributes to development. Flagship programmes on social policy and on poverty reduction examined the effectiveness of state policies that aim directly to influence the welfare and security of diverse social groups, and the relationships between such policies, economic development and democratic politics.