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National Chapter Activities
The Chapter organised a short training in Research Methodology from 19th September to 2nd October 2002 in Khartoum. The aim of the training was to upgrade the skills of young researchers and university staff in social science research methods. Participants were nominated by their employers on the basis of an invitation sent by the Chapter. A total of 23 trainees drawn from research institutions and universities in the Sudan attended the course. Eighteen of these participants were women.
The South Africa Chapter of OSSREA was officially launched on 9th October 2002 in Johannesburg. Present on the occasion were the former President of OSSREA, Dr. Evelyn Pangeti, a representative of the South African government, Dr. Robert Kriger, and delegates from various South African universities. The official launch was accompanied by a business meeting where a draft constitution of the Chapter and membership issues were discussed. At the same time, an election of members of the Chapter Committee representing various universities was also held.
Another major event of the occasion was the first national workshop of the Chapter which focused on the theme of “The quest for social peace in South Africa: Transformations, democracy and public policy”. A total of ten papers were presented and discussed at the workshop. OSSREA publications were also put on display and sold to interested readers during these events.
The Kenya Chapter held its national workshop from 30th October to 2nd November 2002 in Eldoret. The theme of the workshop was “Governance, society and development in Kenya”. A total of 17 papers were presented at the workshop which was attended by 33 participants. The workshop was opened by the Deputy Vice-President, Prof. Margaret Kamar. Mr. Enemanachew Yimamu, OSSREA’s Programme Officer, represented the Executive Secretary and addressed the participants.
During the discussions at the workshop, it became known that one of the reasons why scholars were neither visible nor had a voice was because they operated as individuals. During the business meeting of the Chapter, therefore, the participants’ resolution to form an umbrella body to represent Kenyan scholars and act as a medium through which they can contribute to the development of the Kenyan society was formally adopted by the members. The society is to be called “Association of Kenyan University Scholars (AKUS)”. The meeting also elected Dr. G. P. Opata as Liaison Officer of the Chapter.
OSSREA’s Swaziland Chapter held its annual national workshop and business meeting on 28th and 29th November 2002. The two-day workshop had the following four themes:
- Transformations: Economic, ideological and demographic,
Sources of conflict: Problems of state and nationhood, external dimensions of conflict, and public responses to conflict,
- Conflict prevention, management and resolution,
- Democratisation and public policy.
The workshop was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Social Science, Prof. A. A. Al Terrraifi, who spoke on behalf of the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Swaziland, Prof. C.M. Magagula. During the business meeting of Chapter members, the National Chapter’s Committee was given the mandate to request OSSREA to organise a Research Methodology Training Workshop locally in July 2003.