• ANU Africa Network

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    This website was established in 2013 by David Lucas, and renovated and relaunched in 2020 as part of a project to increase awareness of Africa and African studies in the ANU and the ACT, funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

    Another outcome of that project was a major research report, published in August 2021, African Studies at the Australian National University and in the Australian Capital Territory, analyzing the past, present and future of the study of Africa at the Australian National University and the wider Australian University sector.

    The major innovation on this updated website is the creation of the ACT Africa Expert Directory which lists experts on Africa from institutions around the ACT, primarily the ANU. We will continue to curate this list, offering a key resource for media, government and non-government organizations seeking expert facts and opinions on Africa. Individuals can request to be added to the list by contacting the website managers.

    Another notable addition is the expanded directory of PhD theses on Africa produced in the territory’s universities, a solid measure of the vitality of the study of Africa in the city of Canberra.

    Reviewing these directories, it is revealing to note that the vast majority of research on Africa is produced by disciplinary experts (environmental scientists, economists, demographers, etc.) rather than area studies experts. This means that the study of Africa is woven into the fabric of the research culture of the ANU and the ACT’s other universities in ways that are not necessarily apparent.


  • Ecosystem Conservation in the Shire River Basin, Malawi

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    ‘Evaluating the Design and Effectiveness of Incentive-based Ecosystem Conservation in the Shire River Basin, Malawi and Its Impact on Community Livelihood’
    Eddah Lijoni
    Eddah.Lijoni@anu.edu.au

    ABSTRACT OF A RESEARCH PROJECT SEMINAR GIVEN AT THE CRAWFORD SCHOOL ANU ON 17 MAY 2018

    Environmental degradation continues to cause impacts on the economic and social aspects of development through the disruption of ecological system functions. Degradation from deforestation and extension of agricultural practices for instance leaves land vulnerable to erosion and saturation of chemicals among other things. Degradation of the Shire River basin in Malawi has caused the deterioration of the river hence affecting its capability to generate electricity. Sedimentation, flooding and eutrophication are some of the impacts on the river. Malawi has high rates of population growth and poverty. This, coupled with high dependence on subsistence farming and the extensive use of firewood and charcoal as sources of energy, puts pressure on natural resource use and the Shire River basin has not been spared. Through various institutional arrangements, policies on environmental management that are mainly command and control have been developed and implemented with little success as the rate of degradation continues to rise. Incentive-based policy instruments have rarely been used in Malawi with just a few running and some proposed forestry and soil conservation projects. The Shire River Basin Management (SRBM) Project is currently operating to address the degradation of the river using the Community Environmental Conservation Fund (CECF). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the (SRBM) Projects outcomes and effectiveness in conserving the Shire River and understand the local communities’ response to this kind of conservation as well as how their participation or not has affected their livelihood status. The study also aims to reveal how the elements of incentive-based policy instruments have been included in forestry legislation and policies to offer guidance for best practice and ensuring effective conservation outcomes. The study is expected to produce results that show how the CECF has been designed and how it has achieved its conservation outcomes and local communities’ livelihood improvement.


  • Trade with Africa: Public Hearing Program

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    FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE REFERENCES COMMITTEE
    Australia’s trade and investment relationships with the countries of Africa
    PUBLIC HEARING
    Friday 11 May 2018
    Committee Room 2S1
    Parliament House, Canberra

    The Program is now available:

    Click on the link below and then the Program PDF icon.

    https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/TradeinvestmentAfrica/Public_Hearings

    PROGRAM SUMMARY 9am Windlab, 9.30 Mr Fassehaie Abraham, 11am Heads of Mission Africa Group, 1.30 World Vision, 2.15 Woodside, 3pm DFAT; Austrade

     

     


  • National Consultation of South Sudanese and Sudanese Church Leaders

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    National Consultation of South Sudanese and Sudanese Church Leaders
    Co-hosted by the National Council of Churches in Australia
    and the Australian Centre for Christianity & Culture Canberra

    Dates: Tuesday 15 & Wednesday 16 May 2018, 10.00am to 4.00pm

    Venue:
    The Chambers Pavilion, Australian Centre for Christianity & Culture, 15 Blackall Street, Barton ACT.

    Purpose: After listening to the community in January, as requested, we are gathering a small group of leaders  including from nominations by NCCA Heads of Churches for our meeting, which is just before Africa Week.

    For more information contact
    secretariat@ncca.org.au
    OR
    ACC&C Canberra phone number: 02 6272 6201