In August 2008, the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) established a coordinating office for its Africa Centre at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
This development follows from a decision taken in 2006 by the SEI board of directors to raise the profile of SEI in Africa, and from the formation of an Africa Task Force in June 2007 to coordinate the drafting of a long-term SEI strategy for the region. Establishing the coordinating office is the first step towards the launch of a full SEI Africa Centre; a decision on this is expected during the SEI board meeting in November 2008.
There are a number of good reasons for SEI to raise its profile in Africa and integrate more directly with local partners. For one, SEI has a large number of projects (old and current) with a focus in Africa. By being based closer to the research issues, SEI can better ensure that its activities and focus are demand driven. A physical presence in Africa will ensure that SEI focuses on research and analysis that is even more relevant, critical and in demand from the perspective of policy makers in Africa to support well informed decisions contributing to sustainable development.
A regional presence will also support the long term capacity development within African partner organisations and collaborating institutions. SEI seeks to deepen regional collaboration on issues that are cross-sectoral, while strengthening the capacity to apply appropriate methods and models in support of policy analysis. SEI Stockholm, in cooperation with local partners, is currently implementing a project funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation agency (Sida) which focuses on strengthening Energy-Environment-Development processes in the region. A core component of this project is improving access to clean and sustainable household energy and it is envisioned that the Africa Centre, together with its partners, will play a strategic role in defining the future direction of SEI research on household energy access in the region.
For more information please contact:
Anders Arvidson, Research Fellow
Manager of the Coordinating Office of the Stockholm Environment Institute's Africa Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
E-mail: anders.arvidson@...
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