HRSD provides culturally and contextually grounded technical assistance to advance human rights, gender equality, social inclusion, youth development and cultural development – together termed human rights and social development.

The Human Rights and Social Development (HRSD) is a newly merged division of the Pacific Community (SPC), the region’s scientific and technical organisation, bringing together the previous Social Development Programme (SDP) and Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT).

HRSD Vision

Our vision is for just, equitable and resilient Pacific Island societies.

To achieve this vision, HRSD  provides quality, results-focused and contextually-relevant technical assistance, capacity development, research, policy and legal services to SPC member states, and to civil society, to  advance human rights, gender equality and social inclusion for all Pacific people, grounded in cultural values and principles, and people-centred approaches.

Through its work in the region, HRSD contributes to strengthening institutional capacities to uphold human rights and social development commitments;  leading SPC to bring ‘people to the centre’ across scientific and technical divisions; enhancing participation, inclusion, capabilities, leadership, and access to opportunities for civil society, especially women and young people; provides culturally and contextually responsive practice, and cultural protection; and generation and application of data, knowledge and innovation.

Alongside the development context, HRSD’s work is shaped by key international human rights treaties, regional frameworks, Pacific island countries and territories national strategic development plans, and SPC strategies and policies. HRSD work with SPC members countries and partners to advance these commitments.

HRSD is guided by the following principles

• Equality- HRSD is committed to equality, equity and dignity for all Pacific peoples.
• Integrity and professionalism- HRSD values integrity and professionalism, which incorporates a focus on accountability, transparency and responsiveness.
• Respect- HRSD respects the diversity of Pacific peoples and cultures, drawing on Pacific cultures and contexts to strengthen local development efforts.
• Inclusion- HRSD supports inclusion of the most marginalised in decision-making and development processes to enable protection of the rights of all members of society. This includes women, youth, LGBTQI, people with disabilities, and those in remote locations.
• Community- HRSD seeks to grow community leadership and draw on the collective nature as Pacific people.
• Pragmatism- HRSD develops pragmatic, evidence-based and innovative solutions to advance long-term human rights and social development issues, and builds learning into its programming at all stages.
• Leadership- HRSD exercises leadership in applying contextually and culturally grounded approaches to human rights and social development