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Members
Globalisation in general and regional integration in particular
raises the demand for regional economic policy analysis. Countries
in the region have well-established policy research institutions
that contribute substantially to national policy making.
However, when it comes to regional issues potential clients
often continue to use foreign consultants rather than local
consultants because of various reasons. The capacity of local
consultants to conduct larger regional studies is often limited
and regional networks to build on and to link up with were
missing. Regional co-operation between research institutions
was of a sporadic nature rather than formalised.
Realising this six institutions from Botswana, Namibia, South
Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia founded the Southern
and Eastern Africa Policy Research Network (SEAPREN) in November
1999, which was officially launched in February 2000.
In addition, the network was joined in November 2001 by a
Kenyan institution. The main objective is to enhance capacity
building in policy analysis in the region through among others
exchange of best practices, learning from each other and optimise
the use of existing human resources.
Eventually, this should strengthen the use of regional research
and consultancy capacities for region-wide policy analysis.
The active promotion of the network on national, regional
and international levels will increase the demand for local
research resources. Instead of looking for and contacting
various local institutions in the region potential clients
will benefit from the existence of a network secretariat that
provides information, arranges contacts and co-ordinates regional
research activities.
Finally, the network will benefit regional policy analysis
since researchers with in-depth knowledge of the local and
regional situation are available.
SEAPREN created its
own web site (www.seapren.org) that links to the following
member institutions:
Latest Issues
DPRU has withdrawn from the network and INESOR's membership
was terminated in August 2006 so as to remain with five effective
members
