Empowering Communities for Change
RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (RASD)
THEMATIC FOCI:
WHAT INSPIRES US
BACKGROUND
RASD is a non-governmental, not-for-profit, and independent youth-led civil society organisation, founded in 2022 and registered in Sierra Leone in September 2024. RASD dedicates itself to conducting evidence-based research and advocating for individuals and groups to take charge of their development.
MISSION
To make development a product of inclusive local processes that address vulnerabilities and risks to environmental and climate change.
OBJECTIVES
To employ participatory, inclusive, and locally-driven needs-based research methods to
uncover hidden community concerns and innovative approaches to address them.
To use scientific evidence to advocate for the localization of global and national climate change-related policies.
To keep local communities informed and interested in participating in achieving
environmental and climate change vulnerability and risk-reduction policy goals.
To support and improve existing community initiatives in the organization’s areas of focus.
To collaborate with local, international, governmental, and non-government institutions to
achieve the organization’s objectives in its communities of implementation.
VISION
Localised and inclusive sustainable development in Sierra Leonean communities and beyond.
VALUES
Transparency: Being open and clear about processes, decisions, and the use of resources.
Accountability: Taking responsibility for actions and outcomes and being answerable to stakeholders.
Inclusivity: Ensuring diverse community voices are heard and respected, and promoting
equality and non-discrimination.
Collaboration: Working together with partners, communities, and stakeholders to
achieve common goals.
Empowerment: Enabling individuals and communities to take control of their development and advocate for their rights.
Innovation: Encouraging creativity and new approaches to solve environmental and
climate change-related problems.
Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in research, advocacy, and operations.
Sustainability: Promoting practices that protect the environment and ensure long-term
viability.
Board of Advisors
Mr Alpha Sesay
Lecturer, Institute of Geography and Development Studies, School of Environmental Sciences, Njala University.
Mrs Matilda Martha Sellu
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), Government of Sierra Leone.
Reverend Daniel TJ Lansana
Proprietor, Fountain of Life Academy,
Crossing, Waterloo, Western Area Rural, Sierra Leone.
Our Team
Behind the Scenes
Bashiru Turay
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Mr Turay is an environment and development professional with a Joint Master of Science in Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security from the University of Bonn and the United Nations University in Germany and a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Environment and Development from Njala University, Sierra Leone. He has expertise in climate change adaptation and disaster management, environmental and climate justice, loss and damage, geographic information systems (GIS), intersectionality, environmental communication, and early childhood and youth development.
Sheku Gbetuwa
Co-Founder and Director of Planning and Development
Mr Gbetuwa is a multidisciplinary researcher and development practitioner with experience in program design, planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation. He has expertise in climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, youth and gender empowerment, community development administration, rural livelihoods, human rights, and child protection. He holds an international master’s degree in regional development planning and management from TU Dortmund University and the University of the Philippines Diliman, another master’s degree in development studies, and a bachelor’s degree in development studies, both from Njala University. His passion for sustainable development has enabled him to publish three related academic papers in reputable international journals that are now contributing to global discourse.
Emelia Sento Dumbuya
Administrative Lead
Mrs Dumbuya is an educator and professional teacher with a Teacher’s Certificate, a Higher Teacher’s Certificate (Primary), and a Bachelor of Education in Business Studies, Economics, and Accounting. She has interests in training and human capacity development, community-based administration, finance, and development.
Ibrahim Alhaji Jalloh
Environmental Management Lead
Mr Jalloh is a highly skilled environment and development professional with a robust blend of academic excellence and hands-on field experience. He holds a Joint Master of Science in Regional Development Planning and Management, specializing in Territorial Planning and Public Policy, from the Technical University Dortmund, Germany, and the Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, Brazil; a Master of Science in Natural Resource Management; and a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Environment and Development from Njala University, Sierra Leone, complemented by prestigious experience in environmental risk management, urban planning, and slum upgrading programs, with a proven ability to design and implement sustainable strategies that balance environmental protection with socioeconomic growth.
Musa Sallieu Thullah
Senior Research and Advocacy Officer
Mr Thullah is a trainer and a geographer, holding a Master of Science in Land Administration and Management and a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Geography from Njala University. He is a specialist in land-use administration, planning and development, geographic information systems, climate change adaptation, environmental sustainability, and community development.
Memberships
Sustainable Development Goals and Frameworks We Align With
RASD
Empowering communities through research and advocacy for a sustainable future in Sierra Leone.
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