Diary of an IR scholar

Despite South Africa having a vibrant and radical youth, as witnessed during the 1976 Uprising and recently with the #FeesMustFall protests, the involvement of young people in international diplomacy remains frustrating. During a recent youth dialogue, hosted by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) under the theme; Enhancing Representation and Leadership of Youth in Foreign Policy Space, a number of young people called for the institutionalization of transcontinental spaces, inclusivity at DIRCO, and to be considered for the country’s foreign relations posts.  The panel discussion had uncovered the lack of youth involvement not only in foreign policy-making, but also on the global programs such the Build Back Better , as countries around the world sought to rebuild post the Covid-19 pandemic.  Acting Chief Operations Officer (COO) at DIRCO, Charlotte Lobe, said the rules and protocol in international diplomacy were sometimes too complex...

HIV/AIDS continues to be one of the concerning global epidemics world leaders are still grappling with. The United Nations (UN) had last week (8-11 June 2021) held a High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS. South Africa, represented by Deputy President (DP) David Mabuza, in his capacity as the DP and Chairperson of the multi-sectoral body, the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), had reiterated to the world the country's support for the 2021 Political Declaration towards ending AIDS.   South Africa affirmed that the protection of human rights of people living with HIV and other key and vulnerable populations, is paramount to enabling access to services and fighting stigma and discrimination. "In order for the world to succeed in ending AIDS by 2030, we need to recognise and protect the rights of all key and vulnerable populations by involving people living with HIV and placing communities at the centre of our response," said Mabuza. South Africa further advance...

Media Statement 07 June 2021 PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE OF AFRICAN HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, 8 June 2021, address and chair the virtual meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC). The President will chair the meeting in his capacity as the Coordinator of this continental structure.    The Committee was established in 2009 by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government to spearhead an African Common Position on Climate Change and ensure that Africa speaks with one voice in global climate change negotiations. The Committee’s deliberations this week form part of preparations for COP26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference, which will be held in the United Kingdom in November 2021. The meeting will deliberate on the African Green Stimulus Programme and the current status of the international climate negotiations in light of the COV...

The University of Limpopo (UL) in collaboration with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) had on 26 May 2021 convened a virtual symposium to discuss: The Importance of Education (Academia) in the Formulation of South Africa’s Foreign Policy. DIRCO Deputy Minister, Candith Mashego-Dlamini, delivered the keynote address, in which she shared the importance of academics and scholars in the formulation of foreign policy. “As thought leaders, you also constitute part of the broader civil society movements, and your influence must never be understated,” she said speaking at the UL’s Turfloop Campus. Minister Mashego-Dlamini further said studies by the academia provided guidance in imagining an Africa that is united, independent and prosperous.  “We want to hear more African voices,” she emphasized.  Researcher, Remofiloe Lobakeng, said foreign-policy making cannot exist in a vacuum. Lobakeng said barriers between the academia and foreign-polic...

In honouring the legacy of Mama Charlotte Maxeke, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) will next month launch an initiative aimed at mobilising the global community behind the Gender Equality Forum (GEF)’s Global Acceleration Plan, particularly the Action Coalition on Economic Justice and Rights. The Charlotte Maxeke African Women’s Economic Justice and Rights Initiative was to be implemented in three phases, namely; Charlotte Maxeke Africa Future Leadership Programme, Charlotte Maxeke African Women's Leadership Awards, and the Charlotte Maxeke Minister's Breakfast with Women Ambassadors. The Charlotte Maxeke Africa Future Leadership Programme was aimed at providing mentorship and training opportunities for youth on international policy and diplomacy work. The programme, to be launched in June, was to target 70% youth leaders from the continent and 30% from the country.  The Charlotte Maxeke African Women's Leadership Awards were to celebrate wo...

The South African Union of Students (SAUS) held its ordinary National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on 15 May 2021 at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).  SAUS said in a statement post the NEC meeting that it had discussed a number of socio-economic, political, and higher education matters. One of the key issues was the current regional and international political situation.  SAUS has condemned what it called ‘the callous brutality and repression’ meted out against the people of Palestine.  “SAUS has consistently expressed its profound opposition to the colonial occupation of Palestinian Land by the Israeli regime,” read the NEC statement. The meeting was stated to have further pledged to strengthen the existing efforts of boycott, sanctions and pickets across higher education institutions in demonstrating solidarity with the people of Palestine. The student union had also called on the African Union (AU) to address the issues of climate change and foo...

I had in my previous entry- Behind the name DIRCO- indicated my intention of taking further the discussion around the structure of ‘international relations’ and its institutions, South Africa’s foreign policy, and the look at how far South Africa was able to pursue its interests when it enjoyed a non-permanent member seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the period 2019-2020 and when it was chair of the African Union (AU) in 2020.    I was eager to recently learn of the Nelson Mandela University, in collaboration with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), public diplomacy lecture which was themed: Celebrating Multilateralism and South Africa’s role on the UNSC and Chairship of the AU, where DIRCO Deputy Minister, Alvin Botes, had delivered the keynote address. Deputy Minister Botes had recognised the importance of the transformation of the UNSC in deepening multilateralism. Minister Botes said South Africa was calling f...