May 2024 Edition
South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)
African Perspectives, Global Insights.
SAIIA welcomes you to this edition of our newsletter which features recent research on skills governance and the TVET ecosystem, and skills foresight for a just green hydrogen transition. We feature an opinion piece on South Africa's participation in the eastern DRC conflict and news of the launch of our new website for the SA Youth Gender Action Plan (YGAP). The edition also shares past and upcoming events.
Skills Governance and the TVET Ecosystem
The South African government aims to train 30 000 artisans and technicians by 2030 to meet demands of industrial activity while simultaneously alleviating the unemployment crisis. To achieve this, it must transcend conventional models of skills development. This report by Letitia Jentel and Deon Cloete explores more.
Training in Uncertainty: Skills Foresight for a Just Green Hydrogen Transition
By adopting futures thinking strategies and engaging stakeholders, South Africa can better prepare its workforce for the demands of the green hydrogen economy and transform its post-school education and training system. Francois Pretorius and Deon Cloete unpack this in greater detail.
What are the South Africans Doing in Eastern DRC?
South Africa's participation in the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) comes with significant financial and reputational risks. And at the moment, the M23 is continuing to gain ground while SAMIDRC makes little to no difference to the military situation. Our Senior Research Fellow Stephanie Wolters writes on this.
"It is less clear what motivated SADC and South Africa specifically to get involved in a mission which its own estimates place at an annual cost of $500 million."
MULTIMEDIA
#WeAskYOUth: Does Democracy Work?
In March 2024, SAIIA and Youth@SAIIA, with the support of the Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria, hosted informal consultations with youth to engage on the broad topic: ‘Does democracy work?’ Their insightful reflections on youth engagement, civil society and the democratic process are particularly poignant as South Africa awaits the results of its seventh democratic election.
NEWS
SAIIA and partners unveil new website for the SA Youth Gender Action Plan (YGAP)
We are pleased to announce the launch of the South African Youth Gender Action Plan (SA YGAP) website, a dynamic platform aimed at amplifying youth voices in advancing the rights of women, girls and marginalised genders across the country.
"The Youth@SAIIA team is actively engaged in community outreach, awareness campaigns, and roadshows to promote local-level implementation of the SA YGAP. The new website serves as a central repository for news, upcoming events and progress on all SA YGAP-related endeavors."
领英推荐
UPCOMING EVENTS
Futures of Circular Economy in SADC: Beyond Linear Economies
Join SAIIA for the launch of a new report titled ‘Envisioning the Future of Circular Economies in SADC’.
Making Sense of the Complex Security Situation in the DRC and the Great Lakes
This seminar will explore the current situation in eastern DRC, the prospects for SAMIDRC and the need for a long-term political solution.
PAST EVENTS
Secessionism, Self-Determination and the Role of Digital Diplomacy
This webinar presented findings from?SAIIA’s research?into the struggle for state recognition, focusing on the cases of Somaliland and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. It also looked at the role digital diplomacy can play as a foreign policy tool for unrecognised states.
Working with the Future: TVET Skills Foresight and Governance for SA’s Green Hydrogen Economy
During this event, SAIIA launched our research on South Africa's skills development ecosystem to prepare for the future green hydrogen economy.
SAIIA IN THE MEDIA
Iran ‘will need to rethink policies’ following Raisi’s death
Head of our African Governance and Diplomacy programme, Steven Gruzd joined BGTN in studio to discuss the impact of President Raisi’s death and what new leadership will mean for the BRICS.
Join us again next month for more news and insights.
The SAIIA Team