5. PUBLICATION AND DOCUMENTATION

5.1 Highlights of Publication Activities

· OSSREA has continued with its tradition of producing its publications in association with well-known international publishers based in the North. For instance, two such publications were produced in association with Pluto Press and International Books in 2001.

· During the period being reported, OSSREA also embarked on a new area of publishing - digital publishing - by publishing its first ever CD-ROM. This CD-ROM brings together in one volume over fifty research and official documents that were published since 1990.

· Following the regular publication of the EASSRR issue's table of contents and abstracts on the INASP-sponsored African Journals Online (AJOL) web site, OSSREA has entered into an agreement with the Michigan State University to have the full-text of each of issue of the journal published online together with prominent American journals, under Project Muse. This is expected to boost considerably the international visibility of OSSREA's journal.

· Another new venture in 2001 is the production of training materials. Thus, three volumes of training modules were produced and used during the Research Methodology Training in 2001. OSSREA hopes to improve these with feedback received from both instructors and trainees and produce standard textbooks that could be used in similar trainings to be conducted in member countries.

· In order to strengthen the Publications Unit in terms of manpower and improve the quality and quantity of production both in the print and electronic form, OSSREA has hired additional experts on both a temporary and regular bases. Currently, one temporary staff is assisting with the editorial work while one ICT expert hired on a regular basis is serving as OSSREA's web master and facilitating full-text online publication. OSSREA's web site is currently being redesigned to provide greater information to the intellectual community.

5.2 Published Works

The following works were published in 2001.

5.2.1 Books

· Taye Assefa, Severine M. Rugumamu, and Abdel Ghaffar M. Ahmed, eds. Globalization, Democracy, and Development in Africa: Challenges and Prospects. (Addis Ababa: OSSREA, 2001).

· M.A. Mohamed Salih, Ton Dietz, and Abdel Ghaffar M. Ahmed, eds. African Pastoralism: Conflict, Institutions and Government. (London, Sterling, Virginia: Pluto Press, in association with OSSREA, 2001).

· Kassa Negussie Getachew. Among Pastoral Afar in Ethiopia: Tradition, Continuity and Socio-economic Change. (The Netherlands: International Books, in association with OSSREA, 2001).

· M. A. Mohamed Salih. Local Environmental Change and Society in Africa. 2^nd edition. (The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers, in association with OSSREA, 2001).

5.2.2 CD-ROM

· OSSREA on CD

5.2.3 Serials

· Eastern Africa Social Science Research Review, vol. XVII, nos. 1 & 2 (January and June, respectively).

· OSSREA Newsletter, vol. XIX, nos. 1-3 (February, June, and October, respectively).

5.2.4 Training Modules

· Justus Inonda Mwanje. Issues in Social Science Research. Social Science Research Methodology, Module 1. (Addis Ababa: OSSREA, 2001).

· Justus Inonda Mwanje. Qualitative Research Process. Social Science Research Methodology, Module 2. (Addis Ababa: OSSREA, 2001).

· Justus Inonda Mwanje, with Butte Gotu. Quantitative Research Process. Social Science Research Methodology, Module 3. (Addis Ababa: OSSREA, 2001).

5.2.5 Research Reports

· Meleckdidzedeck Khayesi. Impacts of Interventions in Bee-keeping on Household Welfare in the Kerio Basin Development Zone, Kenya. Social Science Research Report Series, no. 17.

· Nafukho Muyia. The Forgotten Workers: The Cases of Public Service Vehicle Drivers in Eldoret Town, Kenya. Social Science Research Report Series, no. 18.

· Workineh Kelbessa. Traditional Oromo Attitudes towards the Environment: An Argument for Environmentally Sound Development. Social Science Research Report Series, no. 19.

· Nadalahwa F. Madulu. Reversed Migration Trends in the Kondoa Eroded Area: Lessons for Future Conservation Activities in Hado Research Project Areas, Tanzania. Social Science Research Report Series, no. 20.

· Tegegne Gebre Egziabher. Rural-Urban Linkages under Different Farming Systems: The Cases of Coffee and Non-Coffee Growing Regions in Ethiopia. Social Science Research Report Series, no. 21.

· Minale Adugna. Women and Warfare in Ethiopia. Gender Issues Research Report Series, no. 13.

· Nkkazi Damalie. Communication between Mothers and Their Adolescent Daughters on the Subject of Sexuality and HIV/AIDS in Uganda. Gender Issues Research Report Series, no. 14.

· Simon Sentumbwe. Knowledge and Sexual Behavioral Patterns Related to HIV/AIDS among Commercial Sex Workers in Kampala. Gender Issues Research Report Series, no. 15.

· Edith I. Basirika. Gender, Democratic Practice and Member Control in Agricultural Primary Co-operative Societies in Uganda. Gender Issues Research Report Series, no. 16.

5.2.6 Conference/Workshop Reports

· Promoting Good Governance and Wider Civil Society Participation in Eastern and Southern Africa. Report of Regional Conference.

· African Conflicts: Management, Resolution, Post-conflict Recovery and Development (The Sudan Case). Report of Workshop.

· The Role of Social Science Research in the Social, Political and Economic Transformation in Kenya. Report of Kenya National Workshop.

· Perspectives on Poverty in Swaziland: History and Contemporary Forms. Report of Swaziland National Workshop.

· Zimbabwe's Development Strategies Since 1980 and the Way Forward. Report of Zimbabwe National Workshop.

· Globalisation and Development in Zambia. Report of Zambia National Workshop.

5.2.7 Other Publications

· Annual Report 2000.

· Taye Assefa, comp. Register of Social Scientists in Eastern and Southern Africa. 2^nd edition. (Addis Ababa: OSSREA, 2001).

5.3 Promotion and Marketing of Publications

Three major promotional events, with focus on OSSREA's publication activities, were held during the reported period. Two of these, namely, the OSSREA Outreach Day and the OSSREA Book Day, were organised by the Organisation at its head office in Addis Ababa while the third was an annual international event (i.e., the ZIBF 2001) in which OSSREA participated.

5.3.1 OSSREA Outreach Day

OSSREA launched its first Outreach Day on 14^th March 2001, during which it brought together senior diplomats representing 12 OSSREA member countries and based in Addis Ababa. Other invited guests included diplomats from donor countries, representatives of regional and international organisations such as the OAU, UNECA, UNDP, donor agencies such as the GTZ, DFID, USAID, as well as officials of Addis Ababa University. The aim of the Outreach Day was to orient the representatives with the objectives and activities of OSSREA and, in particular, to solicit the support of the member-country diplomats in OSSREA's efforts to make its national chapters attain legal status by registering with the local authorities in each country.

Briefing notes outlining OSSREA's objectives, research and training programs as well as capacity-building and publication activities were prepared for the occasion and distributed to the guests. Samples of OSSREA publications arranged by focus-country were displayed in the OSSREA Conference Hall and inspected by the guests.

5.3.2 ZIBF 2001

As in the previous years, OSSREA participated in the ZIBF 2001, which took place in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 3-11 August. Three representatives from OSSREA attended the various workshops organised under the auspices of the Zimbabwe International Book Fair; promoted and marketed OSSREA publications, including its CD-ROM; acquired other publications for the Documentation Centre; and made important contacts with printers, publishers and other research institutions.

5.3.3 OSSREA Book Day

The 2^nd OSSREA Book Day took place at the OSSREA head office from 10-12 December 2001. The Book Day was attended by over 120 visitors who came from higher education institutions, local and international NGOs, the ECA and the OAU. The visitors were composed of librarians, academic officers and staff, development professionals, researchers and students. On the occasion, visitors were briefed about the background, objectives and research activities of OSSREA and the type and range of publications put on display. OSSREA's first CD-ROM was also promoted during the event. Several libraries and researchers took the opportunity to buy the publications at discount prices offered for the occasion. Many visitors expressed their interest in OSSREA's activities and applied to become members. OSSREA organized the Book Day not only to promote its publications and enhance the Organization's visibility, but also to expand its network by attracting more members and potential collaborating institutions.

5.4 New Distribution Outlet

During the year, OSSREA expanded its local market outlets by concluding a distribution agreement with IMAGE International PLC. The company, which is based in Addis Ababa and has branches in ten major towns in Ethiopia, has already demonstrated its potential by distributing OSSREA publications outside Addis Ababa, especially to members of higher education institutions.

5.5 Publications Sales

During the year, OSSREA was able to increase its income from the sale of publications by almost 40% over last year's , i.e., an increase of US$ 3745.37 over last year's net income of US$6117.83. This increase was mainly due to its efforts expand its sales outlets. The breakdown of this year's earnings by marketing outlet is provided in table 3.

5.6 OSSREA Documentation Centre

OSSREA has continued to expand the library collections of its Documentation Centre. During the year, the Centre acquired a total of 352 publications, of which 189 publications were secured in the form of donations and complementary copies, 68 in exchange with other research and higher education institutions, and 95 through subscription and purchase. The exchange arrangements with other research and academic institutions have been consolidated and exchange publications are now flowing regularly in both directions.

The Centre has also been equipped with audio-visual equipment, such as a TV set and a VCR, a tape recorder, as well as digital video and photo cameras. Therefore, the Centre now has the capability to record the proceedings of OSSREA workshops and conferences in Addis Ababa, and enable its users to gain access to the relevant information about these events for research purposes.

Table 3. Sales net earnings by marketing outlet, 2001

*Although the sales period extended into the previous year in some cases, payment from sales earnings was effected in all cases in 2001.