The Southern African Development Research Network (SADRN) was launched in August 2007 as a broad-based policy and research network. The programme is funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and managed by Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS). SADRN was initiated with the purpose of capacity building with specific focus on research in the southern African region as well as to strengthen evidence-based policy-making.
The objectives of the programme are as follows:
- To increase the supply of policy-relevant research in SADC by creating a pool of suitably-skilled researchers based in institutions in SADC;
- To improve the policy-relevance of research through growing the capacity of policy-makers to be discerning research users;
- To develop an appreciation of evidence-based policy making by engaging policy-makers in the design, specification, implementation and review of research projects; and
- To build institutional capacity in key organizations in SADC by creating centres of excellence in focused thematic areas of research.
The programme has been implemented through three thematic working areas namely industrial policy, trade policy and pro-poor growth and services sector development. The programme is implemented by regional institutions, with the Botswana Institute for Development and Policy Analysis (BIDPA) responsible for the trade and poverty thematic working group and the University of Mauritius, which implements the services sector development theme while TIPS is responsible for the research coordination of the industrial policy theme.
SADRN has successfully produced 25 research papers across the three thematic working groups, as well as run a number of workshops and capacity building events aimed at both policy-makers and researchers. The key underlying issue around SADRN has been around the conflicting aims of the Programme to both build and utilise research capacity within the region. With this in mind TIPS, BIDPA and UoM together with Tralac are preparing a one and a half day seminar aimed at policy-makers in the SADC region. The objective of the seminar is to take stock of the lessons learned under SADRN, as well as other similar initiatives in the region, in order to inform an agenda for future support of policy capacity building interventions in the region.
For more information on the workshop contact tanya@tips.org.za or call on 012 431 7900
The presentation slides for the workshop are available. Click on the links below to download:
Day 1 - 20 May 2010
- Information on SADRN - Ms Ximena Gonzalez-Nunez, TIPS
- Capacity Development for Evidence-based Development Policy and Practice - Mr. John Young, ODI
- SADRN Activities - Mr. Mmatlou Kalaba, TIPS Research Fellow
- Trade and Poverty Thematic Working Group - Prof. Roman Grynberg, BIDPA
- Services Sector Development Thematic Working Group - Dr. Boopen Seetanah, UoM
- Building Trade-related Capacity Some Observations - Ms Trudi Hartzenberg, TRALAC
- Reflections of Policy Research and Capacity Building Networks in Southern Africa - Mr. David Kalaba, TRAPCA
- Information on ERSA - Prof. Nicola Viegi, ERSA
- The Role of Policy Research Organisations - Prof. Rob Davies, TIPS Research Fellow
- Reflections by Policymakers - Mr. Tlohelang Aumane, Trade Ministry, Lesotho
- Reflections on Evidence based Trade Policy Formulation in Zambia - Mr. Humphrey Katotoka Ministry of Commerce, Zambia
Day 2 - 21 May 2010
- Building Capacity for Policy Research - Dr. Stephen Yeo, CEPR
- Think Tanks: East Africa and South Asia - Mr. Edward Adusei, CMS
- Confessions of an AusAID QAG - Mr. Matthew Stern, AusAid
- Information on IDRC - Mr. Paul Okwi, IDRC
- Relevance of Research in Informing Trade Related Policy in COMESA - Mr. Geoffrey Osoro, COMESA