We recognize the deep-rooted power imbalances that shape varied experiences. Given the diversity that makes up the Council and our impact across the world, we will name, address, and find solutions for these power imbalances. We are committed to interrogating our thinking and actions in advancing equity in the workplace and in critical health and development issues. The Population Council pledges to actively work to dismantle systems of oppression while designing and implementing solutions to improve the lives of people around the world.

In 2020, we embarked on our “Agenda for Change,” a commitment to:

  • embrace antiracist principles and actions;
  • build a strong culture grounded in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI);
  • continue efforts to shift our center of gravity to the places we seek to have the most impact and become even more globally collaborative and inclusive; and
  • ensure our evidence and analysis continue to influence those who have the power and resources to improve the lives of underserved populations around the world.

Our collective actions include:

  • A revised statement on Trustees’ commitment to Board diversity, which includes targets for age, gender, and geographic representation and strengthens accountability. 
  • Acommitment to DEI in our two scholarly journals, Population and Development Review (PDR) and Studies in Family Planning (SFP), including actions to tackle biases that perpetuate injustices in scholarship. 
  • A 2023-2030 Strategic Plan, the development of which was overseen by a representative group of staff, and includes refined vision, mission, and values that reflect who we are today and who we will be moving forward. 

For more on our Agenda for Change: