WEF 2012: How SA can come to terms with the inevitable rise of China

That the world is in a process of fundamental geopolitical and geo-economic change is obvious. However, the contours of change and what they portend for South Africa are difficult to discern, particularly in our navel-gazing, domestic politics-obsessed environment. So, for this South African, participating in the World Economic Forum's recent summit in Davos (25 - 29 January 2012) was illuminating. The geopolitical-economy discussion running throughout the conference centred on three key themes: the future of US power; China's ascent to power; and the future of the European Union (EU).

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Call for Applications: 2012 SAFe Think Programme for Masters students and PhD Students/Researchers

The Embassy of France in South Africa and the South African Institute of International Affairs are calling for applications for the 2012 SAFe Think Programme for Masters students and PhD/Researchers.

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A critical year ahead for South Africa at the United Nations Security Council

On 1 January 2012 South Africa entered the final year of its second term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The year got off to a demanding start as South Africa assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of January. Three factors will determine whether or not South Africa, in the second year of its term, is successful in offering continuity, creating coherence and building African consensus on steering the African agenda of the Council.

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SAIIA rated top think tank in sub-Saharan Africa for 3rd successive year

For the third successive year, the South African Institute of International Affairs has been voted the leading think tank in sub-Saharan Africa in the Global Go To Think Tank Index for 2011. The institute received the same accolade in 2009 and 2010.

In addition to the 2011 award, SAIIA has also been rated in the following global categories:

• Top 50 Security and International Affairs Think Tanks
• Top 30 International Development Think Tanks
• Top 50 Think Tanks with the greatest Impact on Public Policy Globally
• Top 30 Think Tanks with the Best Use of the Media to Communicate Programmes and Research

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Where to for South Africa and the Doha Development Agenda

The 8th Ministerial conference (MC8) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is now done and dusted. Once again the world held its breath hoping that the trade ministers would give a more concrete indication on what is to happen with the Doha Development Agenda (DDA). A variety of issues were discussed, such as a different negotiating approach and the need to deliver on the Doha mandate, but no decisions were made. Even the much anticipated least developed countries (LDC) package failed to materialise, showing just how difficult it is to agree on issues even where countries are agreed in principle. The LDC package would have seen an agreement on issues of priority and with a development impact on LDCs.

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Special Report: Busan and the Emerging Aid Architecture

The 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness held in Busan, Korea, in late November 2011, like the COP 17 conference in Durban, is yet another marker of the shifting fortunes of relations between so-called traditional donors, emerging powers and Africa. Coming against the backdrop of the decade-long trend away from financial transfers of donor aid to investment in developing countries and, concurrently, the emergence of China as the continent's top trading partner and a key provider of loans to Africa, the Forum was ripe with possibility of change.

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Hot Off The Press: Understanding China’s strategy in Africa

The South African Institute of International Affairs has released a host of new publications highlighting various emerging policy issues and areas of engagement between the African continent and China. The China-Africa Project, which began its activities in 2007, has produced a number of country-based analyses on several African countries, as well as sectoral analyses in telecommunications, finance, agriculture, resources, development assistance and special economic zones. The publications seek to contribute to a better understanding of China's overall strategy in Africa, assessing its impact on development and governance on the continent.

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COP 17: Youth tackle the complexity of climate change

"The negotiating process and drawing up the protocol was difficult and more frustrating than I expected."

This is not the view of a seasoned climate change negotiator but that of Elizabeth Ross, a grade 10 high school learner from Thomas More College in Durban.

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Africa Portal celebrates 1st anniversary of online activity

The Africa Portal today celebrates a significant milestone, as project members and content partners mark the first anniversary of the online hub and significant successes along the way. You can watch a special video created for the anniversary by following this link.

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SAJIA: COP 17 articles and more for free until 16 December 2011

SAIIA's publishing partner, Routledge of Taylor and Francis Online, is offering free access to area studies journals, including the South African Journal of International Affairs (SAJIA), until 16 December 2011.

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