A Glimpse into our Southern Voices Members' Activities

Comprised of more than 15 research and policy-oriented organizations across the African continent, the Southern Voices network provides unique perspectives and locally empowered views on various issues facing the continent. Throughout the past few months, these organizations have actively contributed to the ever-vibrant policy-making space by creating several publications on some of the most pressing, cutting-edge issues in Africa.  Continue reading to see some of their recent work.

The Institute for Security of Studies (ISS) is a pan-African applied policy research institute headquartered in Pretoria, South Africa with offices located in four other hubs across the continent.  It focuses on African human security, seeking to mainstream human security perspectives into public policy processes and to influence decision makers within Africa and beyond. This month, they published three policy briefs, listed below:

1. Is there a Risk of a New Coup in Guinea-Bissau?
2. Forecasting South African Election Results
3. Peace and Security Council Report No. 57

The Sudd Institute is an independent research organization that conducts and facilitates research and training to significantly improve the quality, impact, and accountability of local, national, and international policy and decision-making in South Sudan in order to promote a more peaceful and prosperous society. Over the last two weeks, the Sudd Institute has released three publications:

1. Threat of Sanctions against South Sudanese Leaders: What Implications?
2. South Sudan's Violence: Health Implications
3. Alternatives to UN Trusteeship and Join Administration Proposals Provided: A Response to Kuir Garang

The African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) is an independent research institution based in Accra, Ghana which intends to promote policy and institutional reforms for sustained economic growth and transformation in Africa.  Earlier this year, they published the 2014 African Transformation Report entitled Growth with Depth.

The Council for the Development of Social Sciences Research in Africa (CODESRIA) focuses on facilitating multidisciplinary research, building capacity among African researchers at all levels through a strong training program, promoting research-based publishing, supporting the principle of academic freedom, and creating fora for the exchange of views and information between African  researchers.  CODESRIA has released dozens of publications throughout the last few months; some of the most notable include:

1. Trade and Industrial Development in Africa: Rethinking Strategy and Policy
2. Teaching and Learning in Context: Why Pedagogical Reforms Fail in Sub-Saharan Africa
3. Coloniality of Power in Postcolonial Africa: Myths of Decolonization

The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) conducts macro-scale, policy-relevant projects in the social sciences for the use of the public-sector, non-governmental organizations, and international development agencies through partnerships with a network comprised primarily of African-based organizations.  Last month, the HSRC created and disseminated two publications:

1. Social Innovation in South Africa's Rural Municipalities: Policy Implications
2. Human Sciences Research Council Review

All of the Southern Voices Network members are extremely innovative and valuable to the worldwide research and policy-focused community.  To stay informed about their most current projects and endeavors, check their websites frequently and engage with them via Twitter.