The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) will host a diplomatic training, research and analysis conference from 5 to 6 November 2009. The theme for 2009 is closing the gap between domestic and foreign policies. This conference will present an opportunity to exchange ideas on and address emerging issues and scenarios around South Africa’s Domestic and Foreign policy.
The conference will include:
* An exhibition area, where institutions will be given the opportunity to display and distribute information
Media is invited as follows:
Date: 5 to 6 November 2009
Venue: Southern Sun Hotel, Beatrix Street, Arcadia, Pretoria
Media programme
Media is advised to arrive at 08h00
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Deputy Minister on Morning Live.
08h00: Registration
08h30 to 10h30: Programme Director: Ms Maud Dlomo, Deputy Director-General DTRD
Keynote address: Deputy Minister E Ebrahim
Discussion
10h30: Tea/coffee break
11h00 to 13h00: South Africa’s national interests and foreign policy. What is South Africa’s national interest?
Facilitator: To be announced
* Dr Garth le Pere (International Global Dialogue) - academic view
* Mr Thulasi Nxesi (Chairperson Portfolio Committee) – political view
* Mr Bongani Masuku (COSATU) – organised labour view
* Christopher Kabosha (SASOL) - business view
Discussion
13h00 to 14h00: Lunch
14h00 to 16h00: Soft versus hard power
Facilitator: To be announced
* Professor Chris Landsberg (University of Johannesburg) - Analysis of SA’s exercise of soft powers since 1994
* Dr Karen Smith (Stellenbosch University) – Acceptance and legitimacy through soft power
* Professor Anthoni van Nieuwkerk (WITS University) – Impact of power on the developmental and stabilisation agenda of South Africa
Discussion
16h00: Tea/coffee break
16h30 to 18h00: Public diplomacy and consular
Facilitator: Dr Eddie Maloka, Special Advisor of the Minister
* Mr Dayanand Naidoo (DIRCO) – Consular Diplomacy: challenges and opportunities for the foreign ministry
* Dr Moses Montesh (UNISA) - The policing of football hooligans
* Mr Virimai Mugobo (Cape Peninsula) - Public diplomacy in the global age
* Mr Gampi Matheba (University of Limpopo) - How to domesticise foreign policy and improve relationships between state and non-state actors
* Mr Siphamandla Zondi (IGD) – Public diplomacy and the future of South Africa’s international relations
Discussion
18h00: Cocktail reception hosted by Deputy Minister E Ebrahim
Friday, 6 November 2009
08h00 to 10h00: Doing business in Africa
Facilitator: Mr M Nkosi DDG, Africa Bilateral DIRCO
* Ms Neuma Grobbelaar (SAIIA) - Doing business on the African continent – lessons to be learnt
* Mr G Monyamangela (DTI) - Inter Africa trade, opportunities and challenges
* Mr Nitesh Dullabh (Business Sector) - China–South African Relations Converting risks into opportunities
* Dr Matlotleng Matlou (AISA) - Hegemonic Regional Rowers vs Regional Integration
Discussion
10h30: Tea/coffee break
11h00 to 13h00: Case studies
Facilitator: High Commissioner Lujabe-Rankoe
* Mr Vuyani Lingela (DST) - The changing nature of South Africa’s economic diplomacy – the experience of international scientific and technological cooperation
* Advocate Pravashini Govender (MTN) - Opportunities and challenges of the network infrastructure in Africa
* Mr Francois Ekoko (UNDP) - Importance and challenges posed by trilateral agreements in general
* Dr P Ramsamy (Southern African Trust) - African regional integration
Discussion
13h00: Closure: To be announced
For further information on the event please call:
Thembela Ngculu
Cell: 082 387 5611
Issued by: Department of International Relations and Cooperation
4 November 2009
