Foreign Policy Analysis
Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA)
South Africa's conduct of international relations, especially its role in international organisations like the UN Security Council, its choice of strategic partnerships, its leadership role in Africa, its public engagement and foreign policy decision making, has been intensely debated in the recent past. The FPA programme aims to provide a nuanced analysis and facilitate a structured discussion of South Africa's foreign policy in a changing world environment for purposes of informing its future direction. The purpose is to unpack the extent to which the policy in its making, its nature and its application constitutes a principled and pragmatic response to a complex international environment. In doing so, we hope to be guided by an objective to promote a foreign policy that positions SA as a responsible global citizen committed to building bridges between various power blocs for the benefit of Africa and South Africans.
Currently, the IGD is conducting a major review of SA foreign policy in all its thematic and geographical dimensions in order to identify weaknesses to be overcome and strengths to be reinforced. The outcomes will be published in an edited book volume by the end of 2011. Other focuses for 2011-15 include the South African Development Partnership Agency, the Council on International Relations and Cooperation, Code of Business Conduct/commercial diplomacy, and SA in the Security Council.
The programme will produce research reports, opinion pieces and a book. A number of roundtables and a symposium will also be held.
Drs Lesley Masters and Siphamandla Zondi jointly co-ordinate this programme.
