Programme and Methodology
The Brenthurst Foundation aims to craft appropriate solutions to
development questions through four actions:
- Changing mindsets.
- Creating networks.
- Developing a critical mass of thinking.
- A cross-fertilisation of ideas.
To this end the Foundation has established a detailed research,
conference and publications programme focusing on finding solutions to African
development challenges, in four areas:
- Cutting-edge research on areas critical to the shape of South Africa
and Africa's political economy.
- The engendering of a public debate on these issues involving
opinion-formers in government, academia, business and the media through
reports, conferences and networks.
- Supporting excellence in scholarship on Africa.
- Benchmarking and best-practice – establishing the ideas that
will travel well to other regions.
The programme and methodology of the Foundation aligns with its aim of
moving policy recommendations and research findings beyond the generalised and
sometimes obvious conclusions of many high-profile reports, and to promote
policy-relevant solutions and options based on empirically sound research. The
Foundation is focussed, however, not only on the question of 'what' to do, but
also 'how' to do it. Moreover, it is cognisant of the importance of linking
good ideas for growth with constituencies at home and abroad.
