SAIIA is proud to announce the establishment of a world class African Visiting Fellowship Programme at the Institute. Through this Fellowship Programme SAIIA will invite a leading African who has made a significant annual contribution to Africa’s development. In spending a period of three months at one of the Institute’s offices (Johannesburg, Cape Town or Pretoria), Fellows are given the opportunity to share their expertise with our researchers and external stakeholders. It is intended that the nominees will be practitioners who have achieved success in advancing economic development, conflict resolution, democracy and governance or a similar sphere in Africa.
The establishment of the African Visiting Fellowship Programme serves to strengthen SAIIA’s position as a leading think tank on and for Africa. Making input into policies that directly affect Africa and its engagement with the world is a key priority for SAIIA. Our mission statement states clearly that we aim to provide cutting edge analysis and promote balanced dialogue on issues critical to Africa’s development and advancement.
Through making constructive policy input, stimulating informed public debate and strengthening leadership and research excellence, much of SAIIA’s research focuses on African concerns and themes. From its years of experience in the field SAIIA is uniquely placed to provide a South African perspective on how international issues impact on Africa. The Institute has also invested in building relationships across the continent with institutions and individuals to bring broader African perspectives to our research. The African Visiting Fellowship Programme will certainly enhance these relationships.
This Programme serves to share successful case studies in the continent’s development as the Fellow will be invited to write a monograph on the case study. Introducing the Fellow to corporate and diplomatic members, the programme requires that the Fellow deliver a paper on their case study at a seminar at SAIIA. The Fellow will also be exposed to our research staff and interns in an attempt to introduce them to his or her repository of knowledge on African issues. SAIIA Branches will also benefit from this Programme as the chosen Fellow will travel to our national branches where possible.
Funding for the African Visiting Fellowship Programme has been generously provided by the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust as their contribution to the 75th Anniversary. The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust will fund the programme during the initial three years. The Oppenheimer Family has been involved with the Institute for most of its 75 years and SAIIA is proud to continue this relationship through such a dynamic project.