Southern Voice is an open platform for think tanks. It contributes to the global dialogue on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its ultimate aim is to address the existing ‘knowledge asymmetry’ and ‘participation deficit’ in the dialogue  on development. It does this by disseminating evidence-based policy analysis by researchers from Global South countries.

Since its inception in 2012, Southern Voice has evolved into a vibrant network of 50 Think Tanks from Africa, Latin America and Asia. They are all dedicated to leveraging quality local data and research. The aim is to enhance the debate on the SDGs and increase the 2030 Agenda’s impact on the South.

Southern Voice’s Vision

Southern Voice envisages a world in which power has been realigned between countries. The result would be a fair and equitable engagement on global issues, and the advancement of a world in which people’s rights and needs are met and sustainable development is achieved.

Southern Voice’s Mission

Southern Voice aims to contribute to a power shift in inter-governmental relations on the SDGs.

• It stimulates, generates, disseminates and promotes high-quality evidence-based analysis on the SDGs, empowering Think Tanks from the Global South.
• It embeds Southern research in the global discourse on the SDGs.
• It promotes space for deliberative evidence-based policy making and ensures governments are held accountable for effective delivery.

Southern Voice’s Story

The founding members of the network were awardees of the multi-donor Think Tank Initiative (TTI), currently hosted by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Ottawa. The idea to launch the initiative was taken at a TTI awardees meeting in Cape Town, South Africa in 2012.

An expert group meeting (EGM) held in Dhaka in 2013 endorsed the activity plan of the initiative, elected a steering committee and agreed on the immediate inputs to be sent to the UN High Level Panel on Post-MDGs.

To date, Southern Voice has addressed multiple national, regional and global platforms, highlighting its perspectives on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Read more about Southern Voice’s Strategic Framework.

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