Senegal Premier Dionne speaks at the opening ceremony of the 14th CODESRIA General Assembly and Science Congress.
 

Dakar, June 8 (CSST)—The 14th Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) General Assembly and Science Congress kicked off in Dakar, capital of Senegal, on June 8.

Social science specialists from around the African continent gathered to discuss "Creating African Futures in an Era of Global Transformations: Challenges and Prospects," the theme of the meeting. Senegalese Premier Mohamed Boun Asdallah Dionne delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

Dionne said in his speech that since the founding of the council, it has been committed to bringing proposals to African countries and in doing so, has been instrumental in economic, political, social and cultural development in Africa.

Dionne pointed out that the development of Africa necessitates the support of think tanks, which will play an increasingly important role in the process.
 

Ebrima Sall, executive secretary-general of the council, and Fatima Harruck, chairman of the council, also addressed the opening ceremony, stressing that the world is undergoing transformation in the midst of globalization, presenting new challenges to Africa and highlighting the necessity, significance and unique role of think tanks in the development of African countries.

Sall noted that the council,which is among the most influential think tanks in the world, represents the highest level of social science research in Africa.
 

The future is bright for Africa, but it requires further collaboration between governments and think tanks, Harruck said, adding that there is a long road ahead for social science professionals.
 

The assembly has received more than 100 papers in total. During the five-day event, delegates will engage in broad, in-depth discussions on the theme in the general assembly, roundtable and panel session.
 

Four Chinese scholars specializing in Africa studies have been invited to the meeting. Yang Guang, director of the Institute of West Asian and African Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Li Xinfeng, deputy editor-in-chief of the Social Sciences in China Press under CASS plan to deliver the keynote speech at a roundtable meeting respectively.
 

Approximately 500 invitees were present at the opening ceremony, including leaders of think tanks in African countries, social science scholars in Africa, experts on Africa Studies from all over the world and representatives from relevant institutions.
 

Established in 1973, the council is not only an academic community for social science research in Africa but also a joint institution for African think tanks. African countries take turns holding the general assembly every three years. This session was slated to open in December 2014, but was delayed due to the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa.