International Forum on the Social Science â Policy Nexus, Argentina and
Uruguay, 20 - 24 February 2006
16 February 2006
The Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya, is to lead a South
African delegation to the International Forum on the Social Science -- Policy
Nexus, which will be held in Uruguay and Argentina from 20 to 24 February 2006
under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation (UNESCO).
The Forum will bring together policy-makers, researchers and civil society
from more than 70 countries to discuss their common concerns about the
important role social science plays in social transformation and the attainment
of the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Minister
Skweyiya is to leave South Africa today, 16 February, to attend preparatory
meetings over the weekend in Buenos Aires.
The various workshops in the Forum will discuss pertinent issues that
exemplify the interaction between social science research and public policy in
the areas of social policy, population and migration, urban policies and
decentralisation, and regional integration. The South African participants
include both government officials as well as researchers and policy activists
from various civil society institutions.
The Human Science Research Council (HSRC) and the Department of Social
Development are co-sponsoring a number of workshops at the Nexus, which include
participants from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and
other regions of Africa.
Social Development Deputy Minister, Dr Jean Benjamin, is part of the
delegation. South Africa is playing a key role in the Social Science - Policy
Nexus as Dr Skweyiya is the President of the Intergovernmental Council of
UNESCOâs Management of Social Transformations Programme (MOST), the organisers
of the conference. The Nexus takes place against the background of a new thrust
by the MOST programme to link social policy research with decision-makers in
order to encourage evidence-based policymaking.
Minister Skweyiya said âthe South African governmentâs social transformation
agenda continues to be informed by both social science research and dialogue
with key social partners and other interested parties. As we accelerate our
efforts to create employment, eradicate poverty and promote regional
integration, the quality of our engagements with social researchers and policy
advocates in civil society will be crucial to success.â
The conference will provide South Africa with an opportunity to further
strengthen her role in promoting South-South co-operation and to harness
collaboration with sister countries on the African continent in the social
development field. Social development and social policy research are key areas
of intervention in post-conflict reconstruction and development in many
countries in the African continent which have gone through the ravages of
war.
The Nexus will also include panel discussions by representatives of the
various regional Networks of Ministers of Social Development. In Africa, such
networks have been established in the SADC and ECOWAS regional groupings. The
regional Networks of Ministers of Social Development provide an opportunity for
Ministers to exchange experiences and share best practices.
Enquiries:
Kgati Sathekge
Tel: (012) 312 7775
Cell: 082 808 9486
E-mail: kgatis@socdev.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Social Development
16 February 2006
