Research and Policy

Research and Policy Development was established as the fourth pillar of activity of IWA during the Board meetings of May 2009. At the time, it appeared to us that the three main pillars (natural resources, civil service and service delivery) while engaging in concrete fields are limited to sectored activities and do not engage with the policy-making at the macro level.

IWA has historically been the pioneer organization in opening new paths for research on corruption in Afghanistan and has significantly contributed – although not yet measured – in setting the agenda on anti-corruption and aid-effectiveness policies over the last four years. It therefore has a historic legitimacy to remain in the lead on such issues. Second, while many of the original themes are now part of the mainstream policy-making agenda, as an Afghan civil society organization, IWA still has to keep some distance with those policies implemented by the State, donors or international organizations, be critical of their actions whenever necessary, claim its ‘ideals’ on the basis of its philosophy of action and advocate for change. This is simply the activist posture of a civil society organization for which there is enough space and opportunity in today’s Afghanistan.

Objective:

The Research and Development pillar’s first objectives is to develop new, ground-breaking empirical research in order to set the agenda, influence decision-makers, bring to the public attention non-documented and non-explored issues; second, consolidate the basis of current knowledge on corruption, accountability, transparency and integrity by updating or expanding the existing knowledge such as the pieces we produced on aid effectiveness or corruption perceptions and experience. The overall aim of the pillar may be to enhance IWA’s pioneering role in advocating for knowledgeable decision-making and informed public debate on corruption and integrity. Secondary objectives include: enhanced research capacity, better articulation of the existing pillars with a macro-level analysis, production of quality knowledge on existing pillars, improved public visibility of IWA, a more engaged IWA in public debate, potential evaluation capacity for internal purposes etc. Last but not least, the establishment of this pillar will help respond to commitments made by IWA to its main donor in exchange of a core support: be involved in policy meetings, engage in citizen literacy and cutting-edge knowledge production, react quickly with reliable data on integrity issues, play a more active role in fostering integrity etc.

IWA Research and Policy Reports are available for download here.