The Third World Studies Center (TWSC) of the University of the Philippines is an academic research institute in the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), committed to analyze and develop alternative perspectives on Philippine, regional and global issues. History
The TWSC evolved from an interdisciplinary colloquium of faculty members from different disciplines, brought together by sha
red perspectives sensitive to realities in the Third World. On February 5, 1977, the TWSC began to operate as a program affiliated with the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). The program started out with a small resource collection, a research team, a production unit for supplementary instructional materials, and a physical center for alternative discourse. On March 29, 1979, the UP Board of Regents "confirmed the Third World Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences (Diliman)." In 1999, the College Assembly of the now College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (one of the colleges that emerged out of the disaggregated CAS in 1982) endorsed the formal recognition of the Third World Studies Program as a full-fledged research center of the college. This was officially approved by the UP Board of Regents on December 17, 1999. Since its establishment, the Center has committed itself to the pursuit of intellectual competence in political economy, democracy and development, and to the promotion of progressive policy alternatives. Themes
The TWSC focuses mainly, but not limited to, the following areas from a multi-disciplinary perspective
- Political Economy and Globalization
- Social Movements
- Authoritarianism and Democratic Governance
- Peace and Human Security
- Culture and Identity
- (New) Media and Technology
The Center also gives emphasis to its duty as a university-based research center to set standards in skills and ethics in research not only within the University but also the country. Core Programs
Over the years, the Center's activities have broadened into four areas of work: Research, Publications, Training and Advocacy, and Exchange.
