3. ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT OF OSSREA

Dr. Dr. Evelyn Pangeti, president of OSSREA, re-emphasized the fact that OSSREA was now putting more emphasis on its members. As a result, when non-members are awarded research grants, the OSSREA membership fee is deducted from the grant before its disbursement to the winner. However, the President pointed out that in future preference would be given to paid-up members when considering applicants for OSSREA grants. Furthermore, the OSSREA constitution stipulates that the presence of paid-up members is required in order to form a quorum at meetings. The new Liaison Officer was therefore urged to launch a membership recruitment drive so that the Zimbabwe Chapter can be further strengthened.

Dr. Pangeti informed participants that currently OSSREA is donor-funded. The funding has been good due to OSSREA's sound financial management. Unfortunately, there are no high interest account facilities in Addis Ababa. In order to address this problem, the new Deputy Executive Secretary will look for financial institutions where OSSREA funds could be invested. This is also a way of addressing the problem of possible donor fatigue.

Dr. Pangeti congratulated the Zimbabwe Chapter organizing committee for coming up with the workshop theme: "Zimbabwe's Development Strategies since 1980 and the Way Forward".