DSRI was established 1976. The mandate is to link the University with the community through the development efforts of the state and non state actors. DSRI main strategy is to link government entities with wider Civil Society Organizations in a neutral sphere of opinion sharing between all actors within an environment of freedom of expression and tolerance. DSRI main activities are teaching, research, training, dialogue forums, and publications.

Influence inter-alia development policymaking, viz, its strategic formulation, execution, and evaluation.