The South African Foreign Policy Initiative-SAFPI programme is issuing a public call for proposals to encourage individuals and organizations to apply for grants that provide innovative and critical analysis of South Africa’s foreign policy behaviour and impact. OSF-SA wishes to award grants to suitably qualified organizations and individuals to undertake empirically focused research project.
Grants will be offered in relation to the following research priorities areas:
· The changing nature of economic diplomacy;
·: #000000;”>· The congruence of the ‘rise of the South’ and perceived decline of Europe and the US: Reacting to/ resulting from?;
· Understanding South Africa’s position vis-a-vis the ‘Arab Spring’ and official policy implications towards the new MENA region;
· Defining a strategic position and role on South Africa’s future in the UN; and
· Evaluating South Africa’s priorities in Southern Africa with a view to understanding:
· The role that Pretoria plays in financing regional development initiatives and
· The feasibility of an extent to which Pretoria can promote regional stability, democratic reforms and governance in SADC given its relative political and economic strength?
A Comprehensive Project Proposal (between 5 – 8 pages) should include the following:
· A one-page executive summary
· A discussion of the design of the project you or your organization wishes to undertake
· The goals, objectives, and activities as well as motivation for why these have been selected
· A detailed budget and time-frame for the completion of the project
· A short resume documenting or organization’s track record and qualifications in terms of undertaking this type of work
OSF-SA is committed to promote the values, institutions and practices of an open, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society. Fundamental to the pursuit of such a society is the ideal of a deliberative and responsive government as reflected in actions taken and policies pursued.
Foreign policy, no less than domestic policy, should reflect the ideals of responsiveness and deliberation, in accordance with South Africa’s constitutional commitments to democracy, the rule of law and human rights. OSF-SA believes that innovative developments, domestically and internationally, impacting on South Africa’s foreign policy behaviour and engagements are an opportunity to stimulate deliberation and debate of South Africa’s international ambitions and global strategic interests.
The South African Foreign Policy Initiative (SAFPI), a programme of OSF-SA, is opening a general call for research projects from organizations and individuals which can provide critical insights and expand and strengthen the debate on the influences and choices that impact South Africa’s foreign policy in the 21st Century.
South Africa continues to be treated in many circles as an emerging world power that enjoys the status of a strategic African country in South-South Cooperation. This is reflected in its continued membership as the only African country in IBSA, BRICS, the G20 and its associated role as one of four co-chairs in the G20 Development Working Group.
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