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Structure and Purpose of the Centre

ACCEDE is a research unit dedicated to constructive but critical examination of questions of governance and development from a citizen-centred viewpoint, prioritising the role of grassroots organisations and movements in their quest for more inclusive, democratic policies.

 

The Centre’s research framework rests on defi ned research interests that are encapsulated in funded research programmes, as listed below. The overall research programme highlights service delivery as a mechanism for exploring the interface between government strategies and policies towards upliftment of the poor, as well as the normalisation of current systems of resource distribution at thelevel of local government.

 

As such, ACCEDE’s research focuses on what we describe as the ‘hidden’ layer of policy making and implementation: the level at which local government officials must interpret and concretise broadly defined policies relating to infrastructural development, social housing, water and sanitation provision and upgrading, among many others.

 

It is this layer of policy which requires the most input and active participation of citizens, and it is yet frequently the most neglected aspect of the policy implementation process, despite national and provincial policies outlining a different much more rosy scenario of citizen inclusion and input and citizen accountability in terms of fi nal policy implementation outcomes.

 

News

PhD Graduates @ ACCEDE

Between September 2011 and March 2012, no less than 3 PhD candidates have graduated with accolades from international examiners. Congratulations Edgar Mwesgye, Jephias Mapuva and Ndodana Nleya, we wish you every success. All 3 students received full time funding from the Vlaamse Interuniversitaire Raad (VLIR) research programme at UWC, entitled the Dynamics of Building a Better Society (DBBS).

• VLIR Dynamics of Building a Better Society Project Update
• In March 2013, Prof Chris Tapscott is visiting the partner VLIR universities, Ghent and Antwerp to discuss current and future research.
• Andrew Mellon Award: Visiting International Researcher
• For the months of May and June 2013, Dr Ranjita Mohanty, will be visiting ACCEDE to continue research on the topic of participation and protest in India and South Africa. We are grateful to the Mellon Foundation for funding for this research visit.