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National Chapter Activities
Zimbabwe Chapter Holds Its Annual National Workshop
The Zimbabwe Chapter of OSSREA held its annual national workshop on 25th July 2003 at the Holiday Inn, in Harare. The theme of the workshop was: A Review of Zimbabwe’s Current Domestic, Regional and International Situation. About 42 participants from the academia, civil society and NGOs attended the one-day workshop. The workshop was opened by the immediate past OSSREA President Dr. Evelyn Pangeti. She was welcomed by Mr. Eldred Masunungure, the Acting Liaison Officer of the Zimbabwe Chapter.
In all, four main papers were presented at the workshop. The papers generated heated debates in an effort to come up with viable and sustained solutions to the current crisis in Zimbabwe. The papers presented at the workshop were the following:
1. “Zimbabwe’s current domestic political situation”, by Mr. Augustine Hungwe, University of Zimbabwe;
2. “Neo-liberal restructuring in Zimbabwe: Lessons from the Chilean experience, 1973-1989”, by Mr. Charles Halimana, University of Zimbabwe;
3. “Zimbabwe’s relations with the region”, by Prof. Lloyd Sachikonye, University of Zimbabwe; and
4. “Zimbabwe and the International Community”, by Dr. Leonard T. Kapungu, United Nations.
The workshop was closed with a vote of thanks by Dr Donald P. Chimanikire, a former OSSREA Liaison Officer and currently a member of the Chapter’s Management Committee. He is also the Director of the Institute of Development Studies, University of Zimbabwe. Dr. Chimanikire informed the participants that OSSREA is not an “ivory tower” exclusively for staff in universities or institutions of higher learning. Rather, it is a regional research organization that pursues relevant and practical research that has a direct impact on people’s lives. He also pointed out that OSSREA is an effective networking platform in the region, acting as a bridge between researchers and policy-makers.
Kenya Chapter Holds Its Annual National Workshop
The Kenya Chapter of OSSREA held its annual national workshop from 30th July to 2nd August 2003 at the Arc Hotel, Egerton University, in Nakuru Town. The theme of the workshop was: Education, Health and Infrastructure for Sustainable Development in Kenya. About 27 participants from the academia, civil society and NGOs attended the workshop. The workshop was officially opened by the Vice-Chancellor of Egerton University, Prof. Ezra Maritim, on behalf of the Assistant Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Dr. Kilemi Mwiria. Professor Shiundu introduced and welcomed the guest of honor. The overall Chair of the workshop, Prof. Helen Mondoh, welcomed the participants to Egerton University on behalf of both OSSREA Kenya Chapter and Egerton University.
Opening the workshop, Prof. Maritim welcomed the participants on behalf of Hon. Dr. Kilemi Mwiria, the Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technology and then gave a brief history of Egerton University. He observed that the themes of the workshop were relevant to the country’s current situation and interest. He revealed that the current trend of thought the world over is on sustainable development especially regarding education and health, environment and agriculture, production and consumption.
The OSSREA Kenya Chapter Liaison Officer, Dr. Grephas Opata, outlined the objectives of OSSREA. He observed that OSSREA’s activities complement and supplement universities’ research efforts; facilitate scholarly dialogue through conferences, seminars and workshops; provide training in research methodology; and provide avenues for research and publication of research findings. He encouraged scholars in the country to exploit the opportunities provided by OSSREA.
OSSREA’s President, Dr. Regina G. M. Karega, stated that the workshop provided Kenyan scholars and researchers with the opportunity to reflect on the challenges facing the nation. The OSSREA President observed that OSSREA has grown and has established National Chapters in over 15 countries. This has enabled collaboration and networking among social scientists and national research institutions in the sub-region.
In all, 17 papers were presented at the workshop. The papers generated heated debates in an effort to come up with viable and sustained solutions regarding sustainable development in Kenya.