“Strengthening Policy Research” Book launch at Kathmandu

"Strengthening Policy Research" Book launch at Kathmandu

The book Strengthening Policy Research: Role of Think Tank Initiative in South Asia was released in Kathmandu on 10 March 2019 at Hotel Himalaya, Lalitpur. It was edited by Professor SukhadeoThorat, Dr. Samar Verma and Mr. Ajaya Dixit and published by Sage Publishing India. Its chapters encompass what TTI program is, the journey of 14 South Asian Think Tanks during the program, the status of social science research in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Delegates from IDRC and nine South Asian Think Tanks, donors, bureaucrats, academics and local Think Tanks participated in the program. Dr. Bimala Rai Paudel (Member, National Assembly of Federal Parliament of Nepal) and Mr. Hari Sharma (Director, Alliance for Social Dialogue) provided a review of the book. It was then jointly launched by Dr. Samar Verma (Senior Program Specialist, TTI, IDRC India), Dr. BinduNathLohani (Former Vice President, Asian Development Bank), Dr. Bimala Rai Paudel, Mr. Hari Sharma, Mr. Kamal Raj Pande (Chairperson, ISET-Nepal), and Mr. Ajaya Dixit (Executive Director, ISET-Nepal).

The launch was followed by a discussion on organizational challenges and sustainability of think tanks. Moderated by Ajaya Dixit, the session comprised sharing of views and experience from representatives of South Asian Think Tanks and other participants of the program.