After a comprehensive and consultative strategic planning process, the Population Council’s Board of Trustees has approved a new strategic direction for the organization. Amidst an evolving and challenging landscape for organizations working in global health and development, the Council’s new direction ensures it can continue to conduct rigorous research and develop evidence-based solutions to improve the lives of underserved populations.
The main elements of the Council’s new direction include:
- Establish independent, local research organizations: The Council will support the transition of several of its international offices to become fully independent organizations, providing greater autonomy to address local and regional priorities and creating more opportunities for newly independent organizations to gain funding from donors who prefer to fund local entities. To foster research excellence and collaboration across these institutions, the Council is also exploring the formation of a network comprised of the Council and newly independent offices.
- Launch a global research institute focused on urgent and emerging health and population issues: The Council will establish and support a corps of collaborative, multi-disciplinary researchers—based around the world—who will advance independent, cutting-edge research on population issues affecting underserved populations. These researchers will be funded by the Council and empowered to work with local institutions, including former Council offices, to collaborate on research.
- Strengthen biomedical research and sexual and reproductive health product development: The Council’s Center for Biomedical Research (CBR) will remain a critical part of the organization and continue to fill an important role in the sector by investigating new approaches for next-generation contraceptives, HIV prevention products, multipurpose prevention technologies, and other sexual and reproductive health products.
The Council’s leadership team is working closely with Council staff, partners, and donors to begin implementation of this strategic plan. More information will be shared in the coming months, including celebration of the incredible impact of the Council’s international offices, the inception of the Research Institute, and new partnerships for CBR. To learn more about the vision behind the Council’s strategic direction, please read the interview with Jim Sailer and Pat Vaughan, the Council’s Co-Presidents, here.