TRENDS Research Advisory Sets Stage For South Africa Tour With Think Tanks

TRENDS Research and Advisory has announced its upcoming research tour to South Africa from 15th to 20th July. This tour marks the opening of their new office in Cape Town.

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS, stated that the tour would be diverse and rich. It will feature a global roundtable with key think tanks from Africa and the Middle East. The roundtable aims to explore the relationship between the two regions, foster constructive dialogue, and exchange best practices in public policy planning and management.

The tour will commence with the official inauguration of TRENDS' office in Cape Town. This office aims to strengthen scientific and research cooperation with Sub-Saharan African countries. It complements existing virtual offices in Cairo and Rabat, forming part of a network across seven countries.

Sumaya Al-Hadhrami, Deputy Head of TRENDS Global Sector, revealed details about the TRENDS Global Round Tables Series: Middle East and Africa. The first event in this series is titled "Unlocking the Potential of Think Tanks: New Ideas and Innovative Strategies for Impactful Engagement." It will be held on 16th July to mark the inauguration of TRENDS' physical office in South Africa.

Dr. Hamad Al-Kaabi discussed Aletihad News Centre's role as a key media partner for the event. He highlighted that this partnership would provide comprehensive coverage of TRENDS' regional activities, including conferences, events, and workshops.

Nasser Mohammed Al-Ali, Head of Administrative Affairs and Human Resources at TRENDS, discussed the centre's global vision and strategy. He emphasised that TRENDS aims to solidify its position as a leading international platform for knowledge and research by expanding its reach and establishing partnerships with major think tanks worldwide.

Engagements with Local Institutions

Fatima Al-Yamahi, Partnerships Specialist at TRENDS, detailed visits to universities and think tanks in Cape Town. Discussions will be held with institutions such as Stellenbosch University's Bureau for Economic Research (BER) and Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa (SIGLA), University of Cape Town's Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU), and South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).

Al-Hadhrami also mentioned that a reception for roundtable guests would be held on 15th July to celebrate the office's inauguration. Additionally, podcast episodes will be recorded with several invited speakers from various African countries.

Celebrating Nelson Mandela International Day

The tour will dedicate a day to celebrating peace, freedom, and humanitarian action with Aletihad News Centre. This includes visiting Zondwa Mandela, Chairman of the Mandela Legacy Foundation (Nelson Mandela's grandson), on Nelson Mandela International Day (18th July 2024). The team will also visit community development centres affiliated with the Mandela Legacy Foundation.

The media briefing was moderated by Sultan Al-Badi from Sky News Arabia. Attendees included Dr. Hamad Al-Kaabi from Aletihad News Centre, Jamal Nasser Al-Suwaider from Emirates News Agency (WAM), Jassim Mohammed from European Centre for Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence Studies, along with local journalists, media personalities, social media influencers, and researchers.

This research tour signifies an important step for TRENDS in fostering international collaboration. By engaging with key institutions in South Africa, they aim to enhance their global presence while promoting shared values such as peace and humanitarian action.

With inputs from WAM