During a break from meetings on the morning of June 11, representatives select and buy books in the book exhibition launched by seven African presses amid the 14th CODESRIA General Assembly and Science Congress held in Dakar, capital of Senegal, from June 8 to 12. (PHOTO: CSST)

Dakar, June 12 (CSST)—The five-day 14th Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) General Assembly and Science Congress concluded on June 12. At the closing ceremony, African social science researchers were called upon to improve and implement the Agenda 2063. It was the first time the meeting explicitly requested think tanks to take the initiative to serve the long-term development strategy.

The Agenda 2063 was initiated in 2013 by the African Union to realize economic restructuring in Africa and build a bright future for the African people. To that end, Africa should follow a path of sustainable industrialization, create employment opportunities and maximize the added value of natural resources, according to the document.
 

Held after the official announcement of the agenda early this year, the 14th CODESRIA conference encouraged social science scholars to take up the historical mission, rise to the challenge of rapid development and tremendous changes, and commit themselves to enriching and implementing the agenda with scientific research achievements.

Adjusting to the changing situation, broadening the scope of research and synchronizing research in humanities and social sciences were also emphasized to serve the long-term development for each African nation and for the continent as a whole. In addition, CODESRIA will pay more attention to reforming internal mechanisms and enhancing efficiency. These three goals were the highlights of the conference, said Ebrima Sall, executive secretary general of CODESRIA, in an exclusive interview with the CSST.

During the conference, eight general assemblies, 13 roundtables and 24 panel sessions took place to discuss the theme “Creating African Futures in an Era of Global Transformations: Challenges and Prospects.”
 

China made itself a topic for speeches at meetings and conversations at the intervals. African scholars spoke highly of the economic development in China and praised the China-Africa relationship as a model of South-South cooperation. They expressed their desire that China will expand and accelerate cooperation with Africa to achieve mutual benefit and in particular, expand cooperation in the field of social sciences.
 

A new council was elected. The 15th CODESRIA conference will be held in December 2017.