Sustainable Development in Africa: Issues and Challenges

UN’s Agenda 2030 outlines a series of ambitious goals for the coming years. Many African countries face some of the greatest challenges in meeting these. In addition, the prevalence of economic growth policies dominated by neo-liberal thoughts and presented in foreign languages may have the effect of alienating exactly those who should benefit from the Agenda 2030.

Another factor that may explain the struggle towards poverty eradication in Africa is the insufficient funding of research on issues such as poverty and sustainable development. The task of monitoring progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their targets is affected by a lack of sufficient information, surveys and critical analysis carried out at regular intervals. It is also hampered by academic institutions, governments and international organisations unable or unwilling to share their knowledge which is needed to achieve the ambitious SDGs.

This roundtable discussion, with its participants representing both one of the leading South African universities, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), as well as the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), will explore challenges the knowledge communities in Africa face when addressing sustainable development and how their own institutions are trying to contribute. It will also examine possibilities provided by international scientific collaboration. What are the challenges ahead for achieving a sustainable development in (Sub-Saharan) Africa, particularly towards achieving Goal 1, to “End poverty in all its forms everywhere”?

Panellists:

• Prof.
  Betty Munbangizi, Dean, College of Law & Management Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
• Prof.
  Francisco Sozinho Matsinhe, Deputy Executive Secretary, CODESRIA – Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, Senegal
• Moderator:
  Alberto D. Cimadamore, Scientific Director, CROP

The event is organised by the
Comparative Research Programme on Poverty – CROP.

Welcome!