About SAIIA
African Perspectives. Global Insights.
Download the 2008 SAIIA Highlights Brochure [.pdf]
Profile of the organisation
SAIIA has a long and proud record as South Africa’s premier research institute on international issues. It is an independent, non-government think-tank whose purpose is to encourage wider and more informed awareness of the importance of international affairs. It is both a centre for research excellence and a home for stimulating public debate.
In the early 1990’s the Institute’s strategy began to shift from speakers’ meetings and a general conference programme to a more focused research agenda. The major research projects within the Institute produce a range of deliverables to its funders and the wider public in the form of publications, policy briefs, workshops and conferences catering for a cross-constituency audience.
Our Vision
To be the pre-eminent think-tank on Africa and on global issues as they affect Africa.
Our Mission
To provide cutting-edge analysis and promote balanced dialogue on issues crucial to Africa’s advancement and its engagement in a dynamic global context.
We achieve this by:
- Making constructive policy input.
- Stimulating informed public debate.
- Building leadership and research excellence in Africa.
The Institute’s activities include:
- making input into policy development locally and internationally;
- undertaking research on current issues of importance to Africa generally and South Africa specifically with a focus on governance and democracy; trade, investment (i.e. economic diplomacy) and development ; security; South African foreign policy; and emerging powers and their role in Africa; and lastly, global governance reform;
- developing linkages and joint programmes with international organisations and agencies throughout the world;
- maintaining a resource centre and reference library (that is a United Nations depository as well as a World Bank Development Information Centre) for students and scholars of international relations;
- organising conferences, seminars and speakers’ meetings on a wide range of topics addressed by prominent South Africans and distinguished international guests; and
- encouraging an interest in international relations among the youth through its leadership programme for postgraduate interns and its various outreach programmes for university students and high school learners.
The Institute was founded in Cape Town in 1934 and has been located in Jan Smuts House in central Johannesburg on the campus of the University of the Witwatersrand with which it has strong links. In 2008 it opened an office in Cape Town and in 2009 another in Pretoria. Its project funding derives from grants from international governments, multilateral organisations and private foundations while some core institutional funding comes from local corporate, diplomatic and institutional members.
It is governed by an independent council whose members represent the Institute’s branches around South Africa as well as senior figures in business and civil society.
