Research
We pursue Participatory Research on Governance, Leadership and Development in Africa as a responsive approach to the emerging demand for evidence-based social dialogue, debates and knowledge-driven learning.
Our Research Agenda blends both theory and practice. While we work closely with academic researchers, there are also conscious efforts to privilege participatory and action-orientated research that bring and include community members in the research processes, and all our research processes begin and end with social dialogues such as demand driven webinars as well as intentionally cultivated debates.
Objectives of Our Research Agenda:
- Contribute to the generation of knowledge on African governance, leadership and sustainable inclusive development.
- Develop knowledge products for the Training and Technical Advisory Services at MS TCDC.
- Support the co-creation of cutting-edge research-based training programs and enrich our existing learning offers.
GENERATIONS AND JUSTICE
Studies that explore questions around youth inclusion, voice and participation in leadership and governance such as “Youth Governance Architecture Studies” that monitors the enabling environment for youth participation in political and economic governance as well as their access to economic and decent work opportunities.
FEMINISM, GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Research that explores new forms of domination and proposes new ways of building resilient gender equality models.
HUMAN RIGHTS, HUMAN DIGNITY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Ensuring that new understandings of rights and new dimensions of rights from bottom-up processes define and enrich our course offering and research publications.
DEMOCRACY, CITIZEN VOICE AND GOVERNANCE MONITORING
Rule of law is a concept that is under continuous threat with many countries experiencing – ‘rule by law’ rather than ‘rule of law'. These studies form the basis for defining citizen engagements in democratic processes and exploring ways in which citizens’ voices and citizen activism can be supported.
CLIMATE JUSTICE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE
Being instrumental in informing the approaches to be employed by partners across the world as they work to support vulnerable communities across Africa to mitigate the effects of climate change. Research, short courses and fellowships are to be developed to clearly understand the breadth and depth of climate change and how to create lasting solutions.
INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND SWAHILI
Research that promotes Swahili Language to be a strong asset to export global and soft power in Africa. These Studies will explore the potential for Swahili to become the language that acts as a tool for African integration.
PHILANTHROPY AND LOCAL GIVING
The role of local giving in sustaining societies across Africa is undisputed. Research that explores the diversity of local giving in Africa and courses that equip development practitioners with approaches that can improve the impact of local giving are critical at this stage. MS TCDC therefore seeks to work closely with expert institutions and actors in this area to develop a robust local giving agenda.
