Message from the Executive Secretary
Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence in Research and Capacity Building
It gives me
great pleasure to welcome you to this special issue bulletin. It is indeed
special as it has come out on the occasion of OSSREA’s 8th Congress and the
international conference it is hosting, and at the time of celebrating the
Organisation’s 25th anniversary.
OSSREA has selected the theme “International Aid, Trade and Development in Africa: The Search for a Development Paradigm” for its 8th Congress because of its significance in the African and global contexts.
International aid and trade, as major elements essential for economic development, have been at the forefront of global economic and political agendas. Concomitantly, several initiatives and strategies meant to bring about economic development in Africa have occupied the interest and concerns of various stakeholders. However, despite the introduction and implementation of various development initiatives, the reality on the ground is that Africa still faces a myriad of economic development challenges that deserve serious attention at both levels of theory and praxis.
The major objective of the conference is to create a platform for all stakeholders, including scholars, policy makers and development practitioners to meet and reflect on the current vexing questions of aid, trade, and economic development in Africa. It is expected that the conference will critically examine the dynamics and linkages between foreign aid, trade and development, and come up with workable approaches that can help reverse existing trends, and hence, contribute to the search for a feasible development paradigm on the continent.
More than 150 participants representing various countries and organisations are taking part in this conference. Over seventy papers under ten sub-themes investigating issues of foreign aid, global trade and economic development from various perspectives will be presented.
Since the establishment of OSSREA twenty five years ago, OSSREA has become a major regional research and capacity building institution in Africa. In line in with its goals, mission and objectives, the institution's grant awards, research and training activities continue to focus on contemporary issues of practical relevance to the continent. Since the last Congress in 2002, OSSREA has extended its outreach and its operations now cover more countries in Africa. Its membership base has grown over the last three years.
With regards to its grant awards, training and research initiatives, OSSREA has launched eight new programmes over the last three years. The organization has continued to host a number of seminars, workshops and conferences that address pertinent issues affecting the continent. Most of the workshops and conferences are not only attended by scholars and researchers, but by policy makers and development practioneers as well. With regards to its publications profile, OSSREA has published several peer reviewed books and manuscripts over the last three years.
All these developments would not have been achieved without the continuous support of our donors, OSSREA members and various stakeholders. We sincerely hope that their dedication and support to OSSREA's programmes and initiatives will continue in the future.
Finally, OSSREA welcomes all participants to its 25th anniversary and eighth congress and wishes you all fruitful deliberations and unforgettable experiences during your stay in Addis Ababa.
Alfred G. Nhema
Executive Secretary, OSSREA