Jon Tinker also founded Panos Institutes in London, Paris, Washington, Budapest and Canada.
Influences may also be found from the Nepali word panas, which is a lamp lit when people gather round to discuss important issues.
Tinker had been working with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), where he ran the Earthscan programme, focused on providing unbiased, scientific data to journalists covering environmental issues.
The organisation's first major project was for Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), producing studies on the sustainability of Nordic aid programmes, written by journalists based in the recipient countries.
PSAf promotes informed and inclusive participation of marginalised people in public and policy debates and decision-making processes that affect their lives.