Past events

Conferences

1st Latin American conference on research and innovation for health
15 - 18 April 2008
This conference worked towards ensuring that research deals with the countries’ health priorities and contributes to equitable development in Latin America.
Australasian Evaluation Society: 2008 International Conference - Evaluation: Adding Value.
08 - 12 September 2008
This conference aims to address how evaluation can enhance the value of programmes, policies and services in public, independent and private organisations.
Social protection for the poorest in Africa - learning from experience
08 - 10 September 2008
Development Research & Training, the CPRC and the Brooks World Poverty Institute will co-host this international conference. The meeting will bring together practitioners, researchers and policy-makers involved in the development, design and implementation of social protection programmes, especially those which aim to address extreme and chronic poverty, with the aim of learning from existing programmes and informing the extension of social protection in Africa.
The next decade - what are the big policy challenges?
06 - 08 November 2008
The 2008 research conference of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) invites proposals for research papers, panels, roundtables and workshops on current research about public policy and management across disciplines, policy areas, and national boundaries.
Global Ministerial Forum for Health: strengthening research for health, development and equity
17 - 19 November 2008
The 2008 Global Ministerial Forum on Research for Health is the culmination of nearly 20 years of global efforts to focus research towards improving the health of poor people.
Asian Social Protection in Comparative Perspective
07 - 09 January 2009
Asia's growing economic and geopolitical importance has led to increased interest in its social protection and social welfare programs.
Organising for social justice and poverty reduction
14 - 15 January 2009
Public action by and for disadvantaged people, undertaken by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other non-government actors, is increasingly significant at local and international levels.
Beyond social inclusion: towards a more equal society?
22 - 23 January 2009
Organised by the Centre for Research in Social Policy, the conference will bring together national and international experts in social policy and the social sciences to examine the implications of inequalities for individuals, communities, nation states and international relations.
Escaping the poverty traps conference
26 - 27 February 2009
This conference responded to the challenge to USAID and other development assistance agencies to find ways to connect the poor to economic growth.
Broad-based innovations to address socio-economic challenges faced by South Africa
27 February 2009
A workshop to explore both both technological and non-technological aspects of innovation for socio-economic benefit
Poverty and social protection conference 2009
11 - 13 March 2009
This conference will focus on issues of poverty and its eradication, social inequality, race relations and policy management and mismanagement with an international perspective.
Perspectives on impact evaluation: Approaches to assessing development effectiveness
31 March - 02 April 2009
A conference focusing on determining how successful development initiatives have been and how evaluations can best be conducted to inform policies, strategies and interventions.
World social science forum: One planet - worlds apart?
10 - 12 May 2009
The overall perspective of this conference is to explore:
The changing world and the challenges it presents to social science
The interface between social science and the changing world
The state of social science itself, as it seeks to confront the challenges.
Better evidence for a better world
18 - 19 May 2009
Aims to review the effectiveness of interventions and the balance between good and harmful effects, in education, crime and justice, and social welfare. As underlined by the Commission on Social Determinants of health, education, protection from crime, and social welfare also clearly constitute the broader determinants of health. Will determine action needed outside of health care to improve life expectancy and health.
36th International conference on global health
26 - 30 May 2009
The annual conference of the Global Health Council.
Leading for health – evidence, policy and practice
16 - 18 June 2009
This year’s theme – Leading for health – evidence, policy and practice – will focus on how public health professionals translate their knowledge, skills and expertise into leading-edge public health practice, to shape the specialty to deliver health and wellbeing in the 21st Century.
Policy futures – learning from the past?
29 June - 01 July 2009
The annual conference from the Social Policy Association.
Promoting social development and diminishing inequality: Who must be responsible?
27 - 29 July 2009
With the growing presence of civil society associations and corporations as providers of social welfare outside the State, there is increasing attention to the roles that citizens, corporations and governments play in promoting social development and diminishing inequality. At the 16th ICSD International Symposium in Monterrey, Mexico, issues, challenges and solutions related to a shared responsibility among civil society, corporations and governments will be discussed.
Rural development in South Africa: Repetition, revision and rethink
19 August 2009
The time of this presentation is from 12.15 to 13.30 and it is presented by Dr Moraka Nakedi Makhura, Head of Agricultural Economic Research and Innovation Services (AERIS), Land Bank.
Innovation for a responsive public sector: Innovation conference 2009
27 - 28 August 2009
The theme for this year's conference looks at deepening the responsiveness of the public sector to citizens needs. This comes at a time when the country is officially in a recession. Despite the economic meltdown, services still need to be delivered. It is in this context that the public sector needs to explore innovative ways to deliver services and be ready to respond to the complex and ever changing needs of the citizens.
PEGNet conference 2009: Policies for reducing inequality in the developing world
03 - 04 September 2009
The Poverty Reduction, Equity and Growth Network (PEGNet) annual conference will be held at the Institute for Social Studies. A prize will be awarded to best-practices in cooperation between researchers and practitioners. This call therefore asks for submission of papers in the specified areas as well as projects, programs and initiatives eligible for this prize.
Teenage fatherhood in South Africa: Issues, experiences and policy implications
08 September 2009
This seminar will take place from 12:30 - 13:30 and the presenters are Dr Sharlene Swartz and Professor Arvin Bhana, with an introduction by Professor Linda Richter. The book provides a fresh and in-depth portrait of impoverished young South African men who became fathers while teenagers. It provides space for their articulate and impassioned voices to be heard amidst the outcry against the absence of fathers, and offers insights into young fathers’ personal, emotional, financial and cultural struggles as they come to terms with fatherhood.
Reclaiming the resources for health: building universal people centred health systems in East and Southern Africa
22 September 2009
This is the third EQUINET regional conference on equity in health in east and southern Africa. It offers a unique opportunity to hear original work and debate on the determinants of, challenges to and opportunities for equity in health in this region.
Inclusive growth, innovation and technological change: education, social capital and sustainable development
06 - 08 October 2009
GLOBELICS (Global Network for Economics of Learning, Innovation, and Competence Building Systems) is an international network of scholars who apply the concept of learning, innovation, and competence building system (LICS) as their framework and are dedicated to the strengthening of LICS in developing countries, emerging economies and societies in transition.
The changing face of leadership and governance: Adapt, influence, sustain
07 - 09 October 2009
The 10th annual conference of the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM).
Driving service delivery through collaborative and interactive government: The 8th Batho Pele Learning Network
04 - 06 November 2009
The Batho Pele Learning Network (BPLN) is a platform that promotes sharing and exchanging of experiences and lessons aimed at improving service delivery through the implementation of the White Paper on Transforming Public Service Delivery of 1997 (known as Batho Pele).
Innovating for the health of all: Forum 2009
16 - 20 November 2009
The Global Forum for Health Resarch 2009 annual forum will take place in Havana, Cuba at the invitation of the Ministry of Health.
Democracy, human rights and social justice in a new global dispensation - challenges and transformation
01 - 03 February 2010
A collaboration between Örebro University’s Research School Conditions of Democracy (Sweden) and the University of South Africa (UNISA)’s South African Research Chair in Development Education (South Africa).
12th Winelands conference: Public leadership for added citizen value
15 - 19 March 2010
Biennial conference facilitated by the School of Public Management and Planning at the University of Stellenbosch.
Art and social justice conference
21 - 24 March 2010
The Durban University of Technology and Art for Humanity is organising a three-day international conference on Art and Social Justice which will address a range of issues and themes relating to the arts in promoting human rights and social justice in society.
Inequalities and social justice: BSA annual conference 2010
07 - 09 April 2010
The 2010 Annual Conference is the second year of the new conference format. It will be a less theme-led model to widen the participation of presenters and attendees.
Dynamics of rural transformation in emerging economies
14 - 16 April 2010
This conference is based on the premise that the challenges faced in rural areas can be met successfully if strategies and policies are no longer rooted in the old paradigms of rural development.
A conversation with Abahlali BaseMjondolo
29 April 2010
An opportunity to engage with issues of social exclusion of the poor from democratic processes, to create space to mobilise for supportive action.
State capacity for development
11 May 2010
A high level seminar to be hosted by the Centre for Africa's Social Progress (CASP) at the Human Sciences Research Council.
Proactive and responsive service delivery 2010-2015 conference
20 - 21 May 2010
The objective of this conference is to create an opportunity to engage on a number of issues related to service delivery.
Deepening African regional governance: An assessment of the Pan African Parliament´s capacity to attract and grow legislative competence
02 June 2010
An HSRC Policy Dialogue which will investigate political and institutional challenges relating to the legislative competency of the Pan African Parliament. While the paper focuses on the PAP, it is hoped that this presentation will show some of the greater issues facing regional governance and regional integration in Africa.
Sport, leisure and development in the 21st Century: Opportunities and challenges
13 - 16 June 2010
Congress sub-themes are as follows: Scoring at the grassroots: Sport, recreation and mega events; Sport, identity politics & social cohesion and Sport, migration and challenges for development in the era of globalsiation.
Public management and accountability in South African public service: A (slow) work in progress
15 June 2010
An HSRC Policy Dialogue which aims to look at the New Public Management (NPM) framework embodied in the White Paper on the Transformation of Public Service Delivery - Batho Pele which is widely seen as the prescribed remedy for improving service delivery and mitigating diminishing public confidence.
Heritage, regional development and social cohesion: International conference
22 - 24 June 2010
The overall theme for this conference is heritage, regional development and social cohesion. Cultural and natural heritage is a resource for development in many different ways for regional and local stakeholders. Tourism, leisure and out of classroom experiences come to mind naturally, but the possibilities and challenges go far beyond that. The agendas of social inclusion, lifelong learning for all and place management have a lot to gain from constructive use of heritage.
Social policy in times of change
05 - 07 July 2010
The Social Policy Association’s 2010 annual conference will be held at the University of Lincoln.
Building on the energy of our people - lessons from the S/E Africa on local community driven development
06 July 2010
South Africa has strong rhetoric about participatory development, for example, in the White Paper on Developmental Local Government and subsequently in the Municipal Systems Act. The reality is that in many areas we try and deliver to our people, and treat them as passive recipients of development. Government cannot make development happen - development happens because of the decisions and actions of our people, taking forward their lives and livelihoods. Government must provide the enabling conditions, which release the energy of our people - just look at Asia to see the potential of that energy unfolding. To reserve a seat, kindly RSVP by 2 July.
Facing crises: Challenges and opportunities confronting the third sector and civil society
07 - 10 July 2010
The ninth international conference of the International Society for Third Sector Research (ISTR) will respond to the expanding role of civil society over the past several decades. Whether in more open or more authoritarian environments, the third sector is playing an important role in providing social services, contributing to policy development, advocating for the rights of poor and oppressed people and for women's rights, contributing to livelihoods and reduction of poverty when the state and market cannot or will not do so, making international aid more effective, growing social capital, contributing to social enterprise and social entrepreneurship, and in many other ways.
Pathways through the education and training system: Do we need a new model?
20 July 2010
Analyses conducted by ESSD reveal major obstacles in the education pathway system. The majority of learners entering FET colleges, nursing training institutions and learnerships have already achieved a National Senior Certificate prior to enrolment. Higher education (HE) is seen as the only viable option for further learning, contributing to the inverted triangle phenomenon in which a small FET college system plays second fiddle to a much larger HE system struggling to retain inadequately prepared students.
Making education matter: South African Association of Health Educationalists conference
22 - 24 July 2010
The 2010 SAAHE conference is hosted by the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand in collaboration with the Tshwane University of Technology and the Universities of Johannesburg, Limpopo, North West and Pretoria. It is the first year that the SAAHE conference is held outside of the Western Cape.
Government-wide monitoring and evaluation policy: Strategies towards anti-corrupt practices and better service delivery
26 July 2010
A seminar presentation by Edwin Okey Ijeoma, Professor of Policy and Public sector Economics in the School of Public Management and Development at the University of Fort Hare, South Africa.
6th International conference for cultural policy research 2010
24 - 27 August 2010
The theme of the conference, Truths, taboos and myths of cultural policy, refers to the ways in the field of cultural policy takes place and positions itself in praxis and research.
14th Annual conference on rural health: Inspiration without borders
26 - 28 August 2010
An annual conference providing an opportunity to gain new knowledge and perspectives, and network with other rural practitioners from across Southern Africa.
Professor Bernard M. Magubane at 80: the celebration of a life: 2010 social science research in Africa conference
26 - 28 August 2010
This is to announce the 2010 Social Science Research in Africa conference taking place in Tshwane, South Africa from 26 to 28 August 2010. The Social Science Research in Africa conference which is held every two years is being re-launched as The African Knowledge Producers Series.
Current and future contributions of higher education internationalisation in Africa’s development
28 August - 01 September 2010
The 14th Annual IEASA Conference will be held at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg from 28 August to 1 September.
4th CPSI public sector innovation conference: Restoring citizens’ dignity: Innovative responses to public service delivery challenges
31 August - 01 September 2010
The Centre for Public Service Innovation hosts an annual conference as a platform that exposes public servants and their strategic partners to innovation opportunities and strategies through sharing of related knowledge and experiences. The conference targets innovation practitioners, service delivery champions and decision makers throughout all spheres of government and partners from the private sector, the academia, locally and internationally.
PEGNet conference 2010: Policies to foster and sustain equitable development in times of crises
02 - 03 September 2010
A platform for high-level dialogue between development researchers, practitioners and policy-makers. The two conference days will feature parallel-sessions based on invited and contributed papers and project presentations. These will be complemented by a debate, a round-table discussion, and keynote speeches by renowned speakers from academia, economic policy and development practice.
Re-launch of the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS)
07 September 2010
Seminar focusing on the value of national and cross-national attitudinal data, providing an overview of the political, socio-economic and societal values of our citizens, and discussing important new developments in relation to the survey series.
Ten years of poverty: what have we learned since 2009 and what should we do 2010-2020?
08 - 10 September 2010
A call for the submission of papers that conceptually explore poverty dynamics; present empirical studies on poverty reduction; explain new methodologies of measuring multi-dimensional poverty; and/or inform policymaking in poverty reduction.
Social protection policy dialogue
16 - 17 September 2010
In the run-up to the 2010 UN Millennium Development Goals Summit in New York, parliamentarians, donor agencies, NGOs and thought leaders from across the region will meet on 16-17th September at Kievits Kroon, Pretoria, to review southern Africa’s progress in eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.
Debate on the Protection of Information Bill
21 September 2010

The debate will be presented as follows:
- Three key points with the Protection of Information Bill, presented by Dr Alison Tilley, Open Democracy Advice Centre.
- What the Protection of Information Bill is not about, presented by Mr Dennis Dlomo, Advisory Services section of the Ministry of State Security, and he is a former Executive Secretary of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA). He is the former Deputy Coordinator for Intelligence.
Chair: Dr Preggs Govender, Deputy Chair of the South African Human Rights Commission
International policy and research conference 2010: Emerging trends in times of instability: New challenges and opportunities for social security
29 September - 01 October 2010
The conference will focus on the challenges that various socio-economic developments pose to social security worldwide. The current financial and economic crisis is having an enormous impact in terms of its suddenness, scale, and global reach.
World social science report 2010: Knowledge divides
19 October 2010
The WSSR reviews the state of the social sciences in various parts of the world, noting their rapid expansion and globalisation. It grapples with the disparities and fragmentation in the social sciences which threaten the role of the social sciences and undermines their effectiveness in addressing global issues.
African migrations workshop: The contribution of African research to migration theory
16 - 19 November 2010
This workshop aims at developing theory grounded in African migration experiences and to critique migration theory from African perspectives.
Building advocacy to advance social protection
23 November 2010
A one day workshop organised by the Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute (SPII) and Bread for the World aimed at building advocacy initiatives to advance access to social security in South Africa.
Global forum on agriculture policies for agricultural development, poverty reduction and food security
29 - 30 November 2010
This Global Forum is concerned with identifying ways in which governments can accelerate agricultural development and tackle the twin problems of poverty and food insecurity.
World social security forum 2010: Securing social stability and economic development
29 November - 04 December 2010
The global financial and economic crisis has reaffirmed the key contribution of social security to social stability and economic recovery. The World Social Security Forum will provide a unique opportunity for over 1,000 decision-makers from all regions to share knowledge, recognize good practices and discuss key challenges and innovative strategies for Dynamic Social Security.
The country we want to live in: Hate crimes and homophobia in the lives of black lesbian South Africans
08 December 2010
A seminar and launch of a report which offers perspectives on violence perpetrated against black lesbians. Bringing together the voices of a diverse grouping of people,this publication provides a set of positions on issues that will have relevance for stakeholders nationally, continentally and globally.
National conference on bringing evidence into public health policy
10 - 11 December 2010
A national conference organised by the Institute of Public Health (IPH), Bengaluru, in collaboration with the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), Antwerp, Belgium, on bringing evidence into public health policy.
Science and society: Public understanding of science (PUS) in South Africa and other collaborations
25 January 2011
This presentation will probe some of the more crucial requirements for a shift towards the establishment of the public understanding of science (PUS) as an organised discipline, capable of global research participation within both the African and the South African context.
Systemic approaches in evaluation
25 - 26 January 2011
In cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Evaluation Unit of GTZ offers this forum to discuss systemic approaches to evaluation.
Slipping between policy and management: (De)centralised responses to linguistic diversity in Ethiopia and South Africa.
28 January 2011
This seminar will focus on a comparison of the language education policy and its implementation in Ethiopia and South Africa. Since 1994, Ethiopia and South Africa have experienced similar political and educational changes over the last two decades. Both countries have included multiple languages in education policy - one has moved with speed to put this into effect, the other has circumvented policy.
Decisive action to achieve the Millennium Development Goals: The challenge to the Southern African Development Community
17 February 2011
The HSRC in partnership with George Washington University is launching a set of policy and research briefs to highlight current research conclusions to the widest set of stakeholders.
Public lecture: How to evaluate complex phenomena
17 February 2011
This lecture takes place from 15h00 – 17h00 on 17 February at the Council Chambers, New Admin building, 3rd floor, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus. The keynote speaker is Prof Patricia Rogers, Professor of Public Sector Evaluation Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia.
Public lecture: How to develop logic value chains for programme evaluation
18 February 2011
This lecture takes place from 11h00 – 13h00 on 18 February at the Council Chambers, New Admin building, 3rd floor, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, University of Johannesburg. The keynote speaker is Prof Patricia Rogers, Professor of Public Sector Evaluation Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia. She has more than 25 years’ experience in evaluating government and non-government programs and policies. She was the inaugural Chair of the American Evaluation Association’s topical interest group on Systems in Evaluation and has recently written the book ‘Purposeful Program Theory’, with Sue Funnell, on situationally appropriate use of program theory and logic models.
Poverty and social protection conference 2011
01 - 03 March 2011
This conference will focus on issues of poverty and its eradication, social inequality, race relations and policy management and mismanagement with an international perspective. It aims to provide a comparative perspective in analyzing past/current trends and conditions to better understand the never-ending downward spiral many individuals and families find themselves in.
Education and development conference 2011
05 - 07 March 2011
A three-day program aims to bring scholars, students and experienced professionals together and address the importance of education and its strong correlation with development.
Toward universal health coverage in Africa: Second conference of the African Health Economics and Policy Association (AfHEA)
15 - 19 March 2011
The overall theme of this conference, Universal coverage, is understood to mean providing financial protection against health care costs for all, as well as ensuring access to quality health care for all when needed.
Ethics alive 2011 - Justice in healthcare
22 March - 25 February 2011
The Faculty of Health Sciences and the Wits Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics are hosting Ethics Alive 2011 under the theme Justice in Healthcare. This annual four-day event consists of debates and discussions exploring issues according to themes revolving around healthcare such as ethics, law and human rights.
Pathologies and antidotes of corruption in Africa
23 March 2011
Corruption is a mantra of the human soul which imperceptibly eats way its fabric. It is an ethical problem which needs ethical medication to bring a resolve to it apart from legal and institutional instruments. It is required of everyone to rally around and wheeled as a united force to unravel and disturb its equation without any qualms.' (Prof MH Kanyane)
Household access to basic infrastructural services in South Africa: Implications for local government
28 March 2011
“The right to housing is not merely having a roof over one’s head; rather it requires an accessible habitable space that fulfils the basic needs of humans to personal space, security, adequate lighting and ventilation, safe infrastructure, protection from weather and adequate location with regard to work and basic facilities all at reasonable cost”
HSRC seminar: Indigenous research methodologies
29 March 2011
Following the increasing emphasis in the classroom and in the field to sensitise researchers and students to diverse epistemologies, methods, and methodologies - especially those of women, minority groups, former colonised societies, indigenous people, historically oppressed communities, and people with disabilities, author Bagele Chilisa has written the first research methods textbook that situates research in a larger, historical, cultural, and global context with case studies from around the globe to make very visible the specific methodologies that are commensurate with the transformative paradigm of research and the historical and cultural traditions of indigenous peoples.
Social protection for social justice: CSP conference 2011
13 - 15 April 2011
A 3-day conference which aims to explore future directions for social protection that go beyond social safety nets and risk management, to address broader concerns with redistributive equity and social injustice.
National conference on cooperatives
18 - 20 April 2011
The Walter Sisulu University and the South African National Apex Cooperative (SANACO) in collaboration with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) will host this conference to be attended by key decision makers, practitioners, academics and activists in the field of community focused development and co-operative societies.
Recognition and the politics of identity and inclusion in the 21st Century: Managing diversity in plural societies
28 - 29 April 2011
This conference seeks to explore the changing dimensions of the politics of identity and inclusion and their implications for governance and the protection of minority communities in plural societies.
Announcement and call for abstracts: Transformation of the role of the State and new instruments of public action
05 - 06 May 2011
The seminar will take place in Pretoria, at the University of Pretoria, on May 5-6, 2011. The Public Policy and Governance Platform, whose co-founders and funders are the University of Pretoria and CIRAD, will organize the seminar, with funding from CIRAD, the University of Pretoria and the French Embassy in South Africa. It intends to gather experts and academics working on public policies, as well as practitioners, civil society and other stakeholders directly engaged in policy processes.
Rural development conference: Facilitating integrated rural development programmes and corporate social investment through vibrant, equitable and sustainable public-private partnerships (PPPs)
25 - 26 May 2011
The conference seeks to facilitate an exchange of ideas and the development of initiatives to effectively improve agricultural and rural development assistance, as well as create new networks and strengthen existing ones. Although agriculture is central to the platform’s vision, the social dimensions of rural development, food security, gender issues and medicine and nutrition, are all explicit priorities that need examination.
Qualitative research for policy making 2011
26 - 27 May 2011
An interactive, cross-disciplinary conference bringing together policy researchers and practitioners to discuss best practices on delivering and interpreting qualitative research effectively for policy making.
Law and poverty colloquium
29 - 31 May 2011
Will be hosted by the Overarching Strategic Research and Outreach Project on Combating Poverty, Homelessness and Socio-Economic Vulnerability under the Constitution at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies.
Sustainability in innovation: Innovation management challenges
12 - 15 June 2011
This conference will bring together innovation management professionals from research, industry and intermediary organisations. The conference format will include facilitated themed sessions for academic and practitioner presentations together with discussion panels and workshops.
Monitoring and evaluation: New developments and challenges
14 - 16 June 2011
This conference will examine key elements and challenges confronting the evaluation of international development, including its funding, practice and future.
Mind the gap: From evidence to policy impact
15 - 17 June 2011
This conference will take place in Cuernavaca, Mexico, June 15-17, 2011, and is co-hosted by The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie), the National Institute of Public Health of Mexico (INSP), the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), and the Center for Labor and Social Distributive Studies in coordination with the Impact Evaluation Network and the Poverty and Economic Policy Network (CEDLAS-IEN-PEP).
Social Policy Association 2011 conference: Bigger societies, smaller governments?
04 - 06 July 2011
There will be three plenary presentations in addition to the paper and symposium sessions and the other events that form part of the conference.
Australian social policy conference: Social policy in a complex world
06 - 08 July 2011
Incorporates the 2nd Chinese social policy workshop and a Higher degree research workshop workshop and aims to bring together researchers, practitioners and policy makers from across disciplines and provide an opportunity to explore research and practice.
Gender and policy: The disconnect between gender equality and policy objectives
10 August 2011
This seminar will take the form of a panel discussion on the importance of looking at the policy implications of research using a gendered lens. Three recent policy briefs written by Prof Vasu Reddy and Prof Relebohile Molestsane which highlight the impact of gender in different policy areas will be used as examples of this:
    Gender equality in the mathematics and science school curriculum
    Women’s participation on industrial science, engineering and technology
    The gendered dimensions of food security in South Africa: a review of the literature
The role of leadership and organisational justice in enhancing critical human resource outcomes: Propositions for strengthening healthcare systems in Sub-Sahara Africa
16 August 2011
Africa has the worst health outcomes per dollar spent in the developing world and the IMF rates the efficiency of African health spending as the lowest in the world (Gupta, 2001). One of the explanatory factors being offered as the 'missing link' is leadership (WHO Africa Monitor, 2007).
Civicus world assembly: Society and global decision-making: Doing it better
10 - 12 September 2011
A global gathering for civil society, donors, governments and businesses to find common solutions to global challenges.
Accelerating intellectual property and innovation in South Africa
18 - 20 September 2011
This conference will discuss current issues in how to accelerate commercialisation of innovation in developing countries more generally, with the participation of experts from China and India.
Towards resilient cities: Reflections on the 2011 State of South African Cities report
21 September 2011
The seminar will consider the progress made by democratic metropolitan government drawing on the 2011 State of SA Cities Report, of which Ivan Turok was the principal author. The concept of resilience lends coherence to the analysis and is examined from five perspectives: economic, spatial, environmental, governance and financial. Compared to a decade ago, socio-economic conditions are better in many respects, and SA cities are contributing to wider national development.
World conference on social determinants of health
19 - 21 October 2011
This conference will bring together member states and stakeholders to build support for the implementation of action on social determinants of health to reduce inequities. The conference is being organized in accordance with a 2009 World Health Assembly Resolution (WHA62.14) and will be hosted by the Government of Brazil.
Call for papers: 2011 Symposium on governance and the eradication of poverty: New perspectives from multidisciplinary analysis
20 - 22 October 2011
A symposium jointly organised by the Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development (IPAID) at Yonsei University (Wonju Campus) and the journal of Public Administration and Development, which seeks to be a convening space for more effective solutions to poverty.
Reforming social protection systems in developing countries
20 - 21 October 2011
The Bochum Conference will provide an international platform for academics, policy-makers, and experts from public and private bodies. It aims at analysing ongoing reforms of social protection systems in developing countries from both a political economy and legal point of view.
Community engagement: The changing role of South African universities in development
08 - 09 November 2011
The deadline for abstract submissions for the South African Higher Education Community Engagement Forum (SAHECEF) conference is 29 April 2011.
Closing the health equity gap: Public health leadership, education and practice: 2011 PHASA conference
28 - 30 November 2011
Conference to review progress that South Africa has made in achieving equity in health status, health care, the social determinants of health and access to resources.
Health system reform in Asia conference
09 - 12 December 2011
A new conference, in association with Social Science and Medicine - the world’s most cited social science journal. It is an interdisciplinary conference focusing on the health system reforms Asian countries have adopted, or are considering, during rapid economic, social, demographic and epidemiologic change in the region.
Social justice and human development: International conference
18 - 20 December 2011
This international conference aims to provide a wider forum to social scientists, practitioners and activists to share their work and research. There will be keynote addresses and symposia pertaining to major themes. The conference is planned as a major academic activity of the Psychology Department in its Golden Jubilee Year.
Evaluation as a key source of evidence for policy-making
26 January 2012
This seminar reviews evidence-based policy-making and the potential role of evaluation as a key, and a systematic, source of evidence and will be presented by Dr Ian Goldman, Deputy Director General, Evaluation and Research, DPME, The Presidency.

Courses

Writing policy-related briefings: a course for government officials and practitioners to improve policy brief writing
13 - 17 October 2008
The Economic Policy Research Institute at the University of Cape Town is offering this course in collaboration with the Overseas Development Institute. The course aims to help participants to develop their own ideas and materials into briefing notes.
Designing and implementing social transfer programmes: a course for policymakers, government officials and practitioners around the world
26 October - 09 November 2008
The Economic Policy Research Institute is offering this two-week course in collaboration with HelpAge International, the University of Maastricht and the University of Cape Town. Aims to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the conceptual and practical issues involved in the development of social transfer programmes.
Designing and Implementing Social Transfer Programmes
26 July - 08 August 2009
The Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRI) together with the Maastricht University and the University of Cape Town (UCT) is offering a two-week course, Designing and Implementing Social Transfer Programmes, aimed at providing participants with an in-depth understanding of the conceptual and practical issues involved in the development of social transfer programmes.
Managing sustainable livelihoods for the poor: training course
31 August - 03 September 2009
Khanya-aicdd and the Centre for Development Support (CDS), University of the Free State are offering a 4-day Certificate Course called Managing sustainable livelihoods: understanding and applying the sustainable livelihoods approach (SLA). Please note the application deadline is 14 August 2009.
Sustainable livelihoods for development
01 - 04 February 2010
A 4-day accredited certificate course for managers, development practitioners and advisers from government and development agencies who want to understand the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) and how to apply it in their work. This course is accredited at South Africa National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5.
Facilitation of Community-based Planning
15 - 26 February 2010
A 12-day accredited graduate level course that aims to ground Municipal Managers, IDP Managers and Participation Managers in the methodology and art of facilitating participatory Ward Plans, and their integration into IDPs. This course has been accredited at South Africa National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5. NOTE: The application deadline is 5 February.
Managing for impact in development
08 - 19 March 2010
A 12-day accredited graduate level course for development programme and project managers who want to learn how to design, implement and manage holistic, pro-poor development interventions that will achieve greater impact. This course has been accredited at South Africa National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8. NOTE: The application deadline for this course is 29 January 2010.
Effective policy analysis for sustainable development
21 - 23 June 2010
Aims to equip participants with tools necessary to design, analyze and implement effective public policy programmes in a complex socio-political setting.
Applied Fiscal Research Centre: February 2011 training schedule
01 - 28 February 2011
Courses offered by the Applied Fiscal Research Centre (AFReC) (affiliated to the University of Cape Town) in Pretoria during February 2011.
Monitoring and evaluation workshop
21 February - 25 January 2011
This course offers a practical approach to linking monitoring and evaluation of outputs and outcomes to the planning and delivery of an organisation’s work. Using case studies and examples, participants are offered the opportunity to apply their learning to their own projects.
Monitoring and evaluation for complicated and complex aspects of programmes and policies
01 - 03 March 2011
The Health Economic and HIV/AIDS Research Division (HEARD) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal is conducting a course on Monitoring and Evaluation for Complicated and Complex Aspects of Programmes and Policies in Johannesburg.
Policy analysis and advocacy
28 March - 08 April 2011
Two week training course on influencing public policies effectively, and designing and implementing advocacy strategies and campaigns. Aimed at practitioners working in civil society organisations, government and other development agencies who are interested in building their capacity for public policy analysis and advocacy work.
Advanced training course on monitoring economic, social and cultural Rights
09 May - 13 March 2011
A course offered by the Project on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
Effective policy evaluation seminar 2011
18 - 20 May 2011
Part of Policy House Public Policy Seminar Series which aim to equip participants with knowledge and skills in policy evaluation as critical component of public policy analysis and management. Note that the seminar will be presented again from 19-21 October in Nairobi, Kenya.
Research communication policy workshop
24 - 26 May 2011
A workshop focusing on how projects can build a strategy to reach the policy environment using relevant messages through appropriate channels.
GDNet – Trust Africa Policy Workshop
01 June 2011
This workshop will introduce the theories of research into policy and provide an understanding of a policy influence plan. It will also involve a practical session on how to communicate with policymakers and how to produce appropriate communication tools for effective engagement with the media.
Science and sense: Using knowledge effectively to address climate change
14 - 15 June 2011
A knowledge brokering course which aims to provide participants with an understanding of knowledge brokerage theory, applications and techniques, with a key focus on developing practical understanding of how knowledge brokerage can be used to facilitate improved communication, decision making and to stimulate innovation in the context of climate change.
Integrated policy design: Systems thinking and system dynamics for policy analysis
15 - 17 June 2011
Will equip participants with practical integrated system tools to analyse policy problems, trace causal relationships of policy action, anticipate unintended consequences of policy action and identify the optimum policy alternative.
Impact evaluation for evidence-based policy in development
04 - 05 July 2011
A workshop on the methods used in evidence-based policy making in order to evaluate and justify continued public spending on particular projects and programmes.
Making monitoring and evaluation work
11 - 15 July 2011
The Development Resource Association works with development practitioners, organisations and movements who are engaged in social transformation with marginalised communities and is offering a five-day course using a participatory methodology and creative process.
Impact Evaluation Network (IEN): Fifth meeting: call for papers and invitation to training course
22 - 23 August 2011
The IMPACT EVALUATION NETWORK (IEN) at the Latin American and the Caribbean Economic Association (LACEA) is an initiative that aims to advance the state of knowledge and expertise regarding impact evaluation of different policies in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. The Network aims to promote impact evaluation methodologies, increase capacity building, and bridge research and policy in the region.
Policy analysis and advocacy: training course
22 August - 02 September 2011
By the end of this two week course, participants will have acquired skills that will enable them to influence public policies effectively, and to design and implement advocacy strategies and campaigns. The course is aimed at practitioners working in civil society organisations, government and other development agencies who are interested in building their capacity for public policy analysis and advocacy work.
Social movements, urban poverty and electoral democracy: training course
12 - 14 September 2011
The intention is to bring together between 30 – 70 development practitioners for 3 days from across civil society, government, private sector and academia. All participants will receive an end of seminar learning and reflection report plus a number of resource materials before, during and after the event.
Effective policy evaluation seminar
19 - 21 October 2011
Part of the Policy House Public Policy Seminar Series which aims to equip participants with knowledge and skills in policy evaluation as critical component of public policy analysis and management. The seminar will cover the essential pillars of policy evaluation that will include: overview of policy evaluation; considerations for policy evaluation approaches; choosing evaluation designs; choosing data collection methods; analytical techniques in policy evaluation; and the future of policy analysts and evaluation experts.
Highly qualified facilitators with hands on-experience have been invited to facilitate in this seminar. The seminar will also use the adult-learning techniques using short-lectures, group works and case studies that will be provided to participants in advance.
Social movements, urban poverty and electoral democracy
07 - 09 November 2011
Three day seminar which aims to bring together between 30 and 70 development practitioners from across civil society, government, private sector and academia to address these topics through reflective processes.