Southern African Development Research Association (SADRA) Introduction In Novenber 1981 the Institute of SOUthernAfrican Studies at the National University of Lesotho organised the first international wrksrop on regional priori ties for the SOUthernAfrican region, represented by SADCC. Participating at the wrkshop 'W'erescrolars from Botswana, LesotOO, Malawi, MJzambique, Swaziland, Zambia and ~irnbahve. AlthJugh invited, participants from Angola and Tanzania 'W'ereunable to rt inplerrentation of the SAIXX: strategy of economic liberation and regional cooperation for develOl::.ment in Southern Africa. The wrksrop unaniIlDusly endorsed the objectives of SADCC and called uPJn the international carmmi- ty to give naxinum supPJrt to the SADCC memberstates in the realisation of their objectives and in resisting the restabilisation PJlicies of SOuth Africa. The Roma Declaration (a) The rreeting discussed at sare length wnat they felt VJerepriority areas of research in toth the social and natural sciences, bearing in mind areas identified as primary tasks or priority fields of develop- ment for the various SADCC rranber states. Since participants at this wrkshop were mainly social scientists discussions and technical pro- PJsals tended to centre on the social sciences. The v.orkshopcon- cluded by issuing its conclusions in the form of the FomaDeclaration. The main PJints included the following observations. There was gene- ral agreerrent to prarote joint research across disciplines, including research undertaken by teams comprising individuals from nore than one country. There was consensus on the desirability of all research institutes in the region exchanging information and documentation. (b) The participants agreed that a major objective of research efforts in the region should be the provision of a necessary base for the PJli- cy croices facing member governments of SAI:XX: in embarking on a strategy to reduce eo:Jnomicdependency on/the Ref-Ublicof SOuth Africa and praroting regional cooperation anong theIlEelves. This inplied not only research in and on the situation in the various member states of SAI:XX:, l:u t also continuing research on SOU th Africa to noni tor and forecast develo~ts in the Rep.1blic of South Africa as they affect the neighl:ouring states of the region. This it was felt, should in- clude inter alia research on the liberation struggle in SOuth Africa and Namibia "the constellation of states" and Bantustanisation. 83 (c) Participants at Ws v.orkshop also endorsed the centrality of research on WJIreI1 and developrent in the region. Likewise it: was agreed that there was a need for deeper analysis of the nature. character and func- tions of the post-colonial state in the SAI:X:Cnenbercountries and of the possibilities for, and limits upon, the use of state po\\er to achieve the SAOCC and national objectives. Manyparticipants at the v.orkshOplaid great stress on specific and precise national needs in several areas of developnent. (d) It was accordingly anphasised that every effort should be made by institutions in the SAOCC region to pronote national research manpower capability. This it was felt, v.ould call for greater involvement of students and others in the research process itself, and ensuring that J:oth process and the results of research are integrated into teach- ing and develo~t. (e) It was recognised that the SADCC countries v.ould theIr5elves have to struggle to develop the scientific research that v.ould help to wild a sound and independent technological basis for the socio-econorni.c develo~nt of the SJ.\IXl: region. FUrther, SJ.\IXl: nenber states \\ere urged to take note of the already existing research capacity and exper- tise in the region. The v.orkshop stressed the absolute inpJrtance of harnessing and strengthening this local talent and experience, especial- ly I::1t consumers of consultancy services in vernmentsand local uni versi ties and research ins ti tu lions and that such cooperation shoold be encouraged. (g) The v.orkshop deplored the proliferation of aid agreements for research projects which ignore and tend to undennine existing local research capacity. SUch agreements tend to fawur the employrrent of international consultants as project managers and research coordinators rather than use local personnel. It was reccrnnended that research in- stitutes in the region act together to develop a framE!\oOrkand self- reliant criteria for !lOre effective evaluation and utilization of the contril:ution of international agencies to research. A Continua tion Ccmnittee The participants concluded by agreeing to establish a COntinuation Ccmni.ttee as part of the necessary follow--up to the v.orkshop. This o::mrni ttee v.ould be given latitude to interact with individual institutions represented at the v.orkshJp and other bodies such as the SADCC Secretariat, SAUSSC,CODESRIA, ANJ, PADISand others in order to prepare the way for the establisl'unent of SADRA. Existing research institutes were asked to nominate one person from their country to serve on the Continuation Camdttee. 84 Meetings of the Continuation Comni ttee An attanpj: by the Secretary of the COntinuation camuttee to a:>nvenea meeting to roincide with the fifth SAUSSC meeting in Lusaka in July 1982 did not materialise as only three rrernbers of the Corrmittee attended. How- ever, the informal consultations and exchange of views of those attending there were ronmmicated to the SAUSCC meeting v.hich endorsed the principles contained in the Rorra Declaration as ~ll as the idea of the formation of SAnRAas a SAIX::C-relatedl:ody. The first proper meeting of the Continuation Conmittee was held in Maputo on 12 August 1982, on the occasion of the UNESCO-sponsored Experts I meeting on Problems and Priori ties in Social ScienCe Training in SOuthern Africa held frorn 9 to 13 August 1982. The ITOstizrpJrtant decision of this meeting was that the Secretary should propose or arrange that a draft oon- stitution be prepared for discussion at a rreeting to be held in the near future. The Secretary was also mandated to oontinue his efforts to ensure the establishment of SADRA. The second lll2eting of the COntinuation Conmittee oonvenPd on 28 January 1983 in Maseru. The second meeting was planned to ooincide wi th the Maseru SAOCC Sumnit. This meeting endorsed the tabling of the RornaDeclaration by its Secretary before the Maseru Meeting of SADCC.This was considered quite apposite especially in the light of the presentation at and adoption by the SADCC slJI1tlli t held in l'iaseru of the SADISmerrorandumon information and docurrentation services in the region. A draft oonstitution for SADRA was reviewed and adopted for presentation at the inauqural conference of SADRA scheduled for mid-october 1983 in Rorna, LesothJ. This, it was also agreed that the draft constitution be tabled at the next SADCC meeting scheduled for May 1983 in Tanzania. The seaJnd meeting also passed a reso- lution to oondann the destablisation policies of the Republic of South Africa in relation to the neightouring SADCC states and rrore particularly the recent invasion of Lesotho by the Republic of South Africa Vlhich resulted in the deaths of forty-twJ persons including twelve citizens of Lesotho. Publici ty for Area It was agreed that rrembers of the continuation Conmittee should in the interim, seize every opportuni ty to publicise widely in their own countries and if possible at other forums the present efforts to set up the Southern African Developnent Research AsSOCiation, and to solicit as I1UchSUFPJrt as possible for this inportant association. LEONARD Nc;ca,rQXl Director National Institute for Development Research & Docurrentation University of Botswana 85 Meetings of the COOtinuation CCmni. Use An att.e1li>t by the Secretary of the Continuation camu. tt.ee to canvene a meeting to coincide with the fifth SAUSSC meeting in Lusaka in July 1982 did rot materialise as only three 1lBI1bersof the Camd. ttee attended. H0w- ever, the informal consultations and exchange of views of th:>se attending there were CCIIITI.1I1icat.ed to the SAUSSC meeting which encbrsed the principles contained in the Falla Declaration as well as the idea of the fonnation of SAnAAas a SAI:Jrtant decision of this meeting was that the Secretary sl'n1ld propose or arrange that a draft con- stitution be prepared for discussion at a meeting to be held in the near future. The Secretary was also mandated to continue his efforts to ensure the establishrrent of SAnAA. The second meeting of the Continuation CCmni. ttee convened on 28. Jar.uary 1983 in Maseru. The second meeting was planned to coincide with the Maseru SAI:Jrsed the tabling of ihe Fana Declaration by its Secretary before the Maseru Meeting of SAI:J. This, it was also agreed that the draft constitution be tabled at the next SADCC meeting scheduled for May 1983 in Tanzania. The second meeting also passed a resolution to condam the destabilisation policies of the Republic of South Africa in relation to the neighl:ouring SAI:Jelve citizens of Lesotro. Publici ty for .SADRA It was agreed that members of the Continuation CCmni.ttee shJul.d in the interim, seize every ~rtunity to publicise widely in their O\o.rl countries and if possible at other foroms the present efforts to set up the Southern African Develcpnent Research Association, and to solicit as IlUch SURX>rtas possible for this iJtportant association I..EXW\RD ~ Director National Institute of Develcpennt Researd1. & I):)cumentation University of Botswana ~is was considered q\ute awoslte especially in the light of the presen- tation at and adcption by the SAIXr sumni.t held in Maseru of the SltDIS netOrandumon information and d:lcumentation services in the region 86