Panos-London's mission is to work with media and other information actors to enable developing countries to shape and communicate their own development agendas through informed public debate and particularly focus on amplifying the voices of the poor and marginalised.

The word Panos means "torch" or "beacon" in Amharic, the language of Ethiopia. A "panas" is a Nepali word for a lamp which is lit when people need to gather round and discuss an important issue. The word, Panos, symbolised the principle aims of the Institute when it was founded almost 15 years ago and which remain true today - to illuminate and provide insights from developing countries into the issues they face; and to create independent spaces for informed public debate around such issues.

It is done by producing information for the media and others which is independent, authoritative, trustworthy, provides a range of perspectives and is largely generated from people in developing countries; and Panos works through a network of regional offices to promote and catalyse public debate on issues of key concern to people in those regions.Building the capacity of those they work with is woven into everything they do.

Values and Beliefs

Panos' work is explicitly informed by a set of core beliefs and values which are actively promoted by the Institute:

• Panos believes that people most affected by global change - often the most marginalised in society - should help to shape and drive such change.
  
• Panos argues that both freedom and pluralism of information within societies, particularly within the media, are essential preconditions for sustainable development.
  
• Panos holds that information is central to change, and that people need access to understandable, relevant and unbiased information in order to be able to take informed action.
  
• Panos promotes informed inclusive public debate as an essential ingredient in the effective functioning of democratic societies.
  
• Panos believes in a more equitable world, opposes all forms of discrimination and actively promotes sexual and racial equality.
  
• Panos believes people have a right to information which enables them to make their own minds up about issues according to their own circumstances, values, cultures and beliefs. At the heart of Panos' editorial philosophy is a determination to provide information which includes a range of perspectives from different sides in debates.
  
• It believes that the process of producing information can often be as important as the information itself, and gives priority to ensuring that most of its information is generated from the South to the highest international standards.
  
• Panos is entirely independent of any political or religious grouping and from its funding sources.
  
• It is committed to excellence and innovation in all its activities.
  

http://www.panos.org.uk/