Posts

Brazil as a security and development provider in Africa, New policy paper by Frank Mattheis

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Policy Paper - MattheisHow is the role of external actors in Africa changing and what consequences does this have for the European Union (EU) and its strategic position on the continent?

The research project ‘The EU, the US and the international strategic dimension of Sub-Saharan Africa: peace, security and development in the Horn of Africa’ seeks to address these questions in a series of policy papers. The first set of papers has just been published, covering the role of new and old actors such as Brazil, China, the Gulf States, Turkey and the US. In depth case studies on the Horn of Africa and an overarching policy report are to follow soon.

Senior research fellow Frank Mattheis contributed a policy paper on the role of Brazil as a security and development provider in Africa. It focuses on both the identity and the materiality of Brazil’s growing role on the continent, identifies the country’s current main challenges, and outlines opportunities for triangular cooperation with the EU.

The project is lead by the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI), with the support of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Debate on migration

Govinn hosts critical workshop on migration

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Govinn, together with the American Political Science Association hosted a workshop on the critical issue of migration in Africa from 23-27 May, 2016, at the University of Pretoria. The workshop included in-depth dialogue sessions between academics from a diversity of disciplines, universities, countries and continents, as well as a public seminar which brought together scholars and policymakers.

Prof Loren Landau, director of the African Centre for Migration and Society, Prof Francis Nyamnjoh, from the University of Cape Town and Dr Chris Nshimbi from Govinn were some of the prominent speakers in the field that shared cutting edge information on migration in Africa today.

Questions of inclusion, exclusion, identity, policy and the free movement of people across borders was discussed and debated, with a particular focus on bringing together the micro and macro levels, allowing people’s experiences on the ground to speak to migration policy.

This workshop was sponsored by the Andrew W Mellon Foundation and the American Political Science Association.

Analysis of the perception of the EU and of the EU’s policies abroad

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The results of the study, “Analysis of the perception of the EU and of the EU’s policies abroad” have been published. The study was conducted by the PPMI (Public Policy Management Institute), NRCE (National Research Centre for Europe) and NFG-Asian Perception of the EU in partnership with TNS Global. The report aims to provide a better understanding of the perception of the EU and EU’s policies primarily in ten EU strategic partner countries. GovInn junior researcher Kirsty Agnew and GovInn director Lorenzo Fioramonti were invited to participate in the project.

In developing a baseline on the perception of the EU, the study also aims to improve the ability to assess the results of our future actions in the field of Public Diplomacy and beyond. Through its findings and recommendations, this study also aims at contributing to HRVP’s (High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission) efforts that will lead to the new EU Global Strategy.

This study is particularly relevant for staff in the delegations in the 10 strategic partner countries and EEAS (European External Action Service) desks covering those countries and for those involved in communication and public diplomacy activities in third countries

To access the report follow the link here

South Africa Land Observatory

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A platform for supporting evidence-based and participatory decision making on land in South Africa

South Africa agrarian sector is affected by a context of far-reaching and fundamental change, related to the country’s land and agrarian transformations, in a context of overall deregulation of its economy. Moreover, the country is characterised by the lack of publicly available precise data and analyses and the weak involvement by stakeholders in decision-making regarding land and agrarian transformation. On top of that, the increased interconnectivity of the land and agrarian questions in South Africa, Africa and the world, leads to the necessity of apprehending them within today’s global context of agrarian, environmental, and food security questions. These observations call for the establishment and development of a well-coordinated information, data, analysis and evidence-based decision-making support entity, grouping the major academic and analytical players on one hand, and a broader stakeholder panel on the other hand, aiming at producing and making available data, information and analyses, and supporting evidence-based and inclusive decision-making processes with regards land and land-based activities in South Africa.

The SA Observatory’s goal is to promote evidence-based and inclusive decision-making over land resources in South Africa and beyond by generating, analysing and making available land-based information and by widening participation to all stakeholders.

Partners: University of Pretoria – Post-Graduate School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Agricultural Economics; GovInn; in collaboration with the International Land Coalition; in the broader framework of the Land Matrix.

Funding: Flemish Cooperation FICASA Land Observatory Partners

Iris Nxumalo

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Iris Nxumalo

Junior researcher

Iris Nxumalo completed her undergraduate degree in International Studies (Distinction) in 2013 and completed her honours degree in International Relations in 2014 (Distinction).

She has worked both in the capacity of tutor and Intern Lecturer in the Department of Political Sciences. Very passionate about the African continent, she seeks to make her contribution to the continent through policy-making, advocacy and academic work.

Research interests

  • African history and literature
  • Conflict and mediation practices
  • International policy making
  • The role of ethical leadership in African politics
  • Education and gender advocacy
  • Multilateral diplomacy and human security

Contact

Email: Iris.tintswalo@gmail.com