Centre for Policy Studies (CPS)
From TrustAfrica wiki - African Regional Organizations
Centre for Policy Studies (CPS)
1st Floor Rose Park South
6 Sturde Avenue
Rosebank, 2196
Website: http://www.cps.org.za
Email: info@cps.org.za
Dr. Chris Landsberg, Executive Director
Description
The Centre for Policy Studies was established as a research institution to produce original and thought-provoking research on South Africa and the African continent, around issues of governance, democracy and development. The institute was established in 1987 as part of the University of Witwatersrand Business School. Since then, CPS has gone through many transitions that include being part of the Human Science Research Council. Today CPS is an independent organization with a fully functional board of directors that include some of the country’s most senior academics. Established to produce top quality research in South Africa, CPS has become an influential institution especially on policy related matters. The institution was key in the debates that led to South Africa’s transition. And during the transition, CPS was a key resource for consultations on key policy issues for political parties and other organizations.
Post 1994, CPS has been involved in research and policy work that informs and influences government policies. A number of times, CPS has been requested to produce policy papers on local and provincial government as well as train government officials on policy and policy-making. CPS has also been involved in the analysis of South Africa’s foreign policy. And in its international affairs program, CPS has impacted on governance and the governance architecture on the continent. CPS has contributed to AU policy-making, research and analysis. Further CPS has produced a number of reports on NEPAD and other new initiatives in the continent. The report on the role of the state in Africa has proved to be one of the most influential. Other areas of research that CPS has been involved in include citizenship and identity, developmental states and political parties.
CPS has been involved in research, conferences and publishing. And moving forward, CPS aims at emphasizing international cooperative research projects; enhancing and deepening CPS field research; training programs aimed at improving CPS’ research; and long term projects, especially on South Africa’s policies. From 2007-2012 CPS plans to focus on policy, governance and democratization.
