Since its inception, the Institute has emphasized the reconstruction of space and identities in post-apartheid South Africa, and the observation of social and political change indicators by favouring an interdisciplinary approach. Past programmes have for example focused on security and governance in Sub-saharan African cities, democratic transformation in developing countries and land redistribution in constitutional, liberation and post-liberation regimes in Southern Africa.
Mission and mandate of IFAS–Research
A regional mandate over the whole of Southern Africa: South Africa, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Four main objectives:
- Acting as a catalyst for scientific exchange between French, European and Southern African researchers and organisations to promote the creation of networks and mixed teams;
- Giving rise to and supporting the projects (missions, conferences, seminars) of European and African researchers who contribute to the development of expertise in Human and Social Sciences on Southern Africa;
- Publishing results in books and articles in French and English, and organising public events (international conferences, book launches);
- Welcoming young researchers and contributing to their training in research by integrating them into international research networks.
UMIFRE CNRS 25 / USR 3336