SPC Social Development Programme (SDP)

The goal of the Social Development Programme (SDP) of SPC is to “advance gender equality and equal development outcomes in the Pacific region”. SDP works with governments, regional organisations, civil society and other SPC divisions to build capacity, collaboration, knowledge and practice around gender equality, social inclusion[1] and cultural development. SPC has been supporting the promotion of gender equality, youth development and culture for over 30 years, first with the women’s bureau, the youth bureau, and the culture bureau, which then merged into the Human Development Programme in 2008. SDP has existed under its current name since 2016. SDP works to ensure that Pacific people are empowered to attain their development potential and improve their wellbeing, through progressing gender equality, youth development and promoting cultural diversity. The work areas that fall under the Social Development Programme, namely gender, culture and youth, are crosscutting; they have a strong impact on all programming and operations and are an integral component of SPC’s multi-sectoral work to support the achievement of development goals for Pacific communities.