IJR and KAS cordially invite you to a morning briefing on the -2015 SA Reconciliation Barometer Survey- Social Mobility in an Unequal Society: Exploring Access and Advantage in South Africa
Date: Tuesday, 8 November 2016
Time: 9h30 for 10h00 – 12h00
Venue: KAS-Office, 60 Hume Road, Dunkeld, Johannesburg
RSVP: tebello.mohale@kas.de before Sunday, 6 November 2016
The SA Reconciliation Barometer (SARB) Survey is the only South African public opinion survey of its kind that measures public opinion on national unity reconciliation. The most recent survey was conducted amongst a nationally representative sample of South Africans during August and September 2015.
During the course of 2015 /2016, the frustrations resulting from vast socio-economic inequalities found (and is still finding) an outlet in the national student protests for free higher education in South Africa. Under the banner of “#feesmustfall”, the multiple-layers of advantage and disadvantage, of access and non-access, of inclusion and exclusion (among and between various groups) became apparent –prompting for the need of a much deeper understanding of individuals’ and various groups’ lived experiences of socio-economic inequalities, as well as the obstacles and aids to social mobility.
With an appreciation for the various obstacles that may perpetuate socio-economic advantage and disadvantage (and thus hamper or support social mobility), individuals’ perceived access to financial and social capital, as well as educational and geographical access to advance in their own goals are explored. In addition, possible cultural barriers to social mobility are considered to offer not only insights on perceived structural barriers to social mobility, but also on the possibly more subtle communication-related barriers South Africans may experience.
Socio-economic inequality in South Africa works to the detriment of building an inclusive society, democratic values and to reconciliation processes. Understanding the lived realities of the multiple layers of access and advantage, as well as barriers and aids to social mobility as experienced by individuals, offers vital perspectives to inform efforts to address inequalities in South Africa’s changing economic and political environment.
Some of the key findings:
43,6% of South Africans feel they have access to the financial resources they need, 43,9% believe they have access to the groups of people (or social capital) the need, 45,2% believe they have the education they need, and 40,4% feel they can easily get to where they need in order to achieve their own goals.
The differences in responses among Living Standard Measure LSM groups, however, are stark when it comes to perceptions of having the required education to achieve self-identified goals, with more than two thirds (69%) of higher LSM groups’, and only a third (33,3%) of lower LSM groups’ respondents agreeing that they have access to the education they need.
Findings regarding perceptions of having the required education to achieve own goals show differences among racial groups, with 77% of White respondents, 56% of Indian respondents, 42,4% of Black respondents and only 29,8% of Coloured respondents feeling that they have the education they need to achieve their goals.
Findings regarding the perceptions (in terms of access and advantages) of unemployed respondents who are not looking for a job show that this group of people feels excluded on multiple fronts, with 68,4% of respondents from this category disagreeing that they are able to easily get to where they need to be in order to achieve their goals, 57,2% disagreeing that they have the education they need, 59,3% disagreeing that they have access to the social capital they need, and 59,4% of respondents in this category disagreeing that they have the financial resources they need to achieve their goals
Join IJR and KAS in exploring the perceptions of South Africans on access to resources and advantage / disadvantages – including education, finance, groups of people and geographical separation – to achieve their own goals.
Call for Applications, Master of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame (scholarships available)
In 2017 the Kroc Institute’s M.A. program in International Peace Studies will celebrate its 30th anniversary by expanding its reach. As a vital part of Notre Dame’s new Keough School of Global Affairs, the first new school at Notre Dame in almost 100 years, the Kroc Institute will continue to advance peace studies through a new Master’s degree in Global Affairs. The application process is now open for the inaugural Master’s class.
In the two-year Master of Global Affairs, students in the International Peace Studies professional path will receive specialized training in peace studies and will participate in the core curriculum, integration labs and an embedded 6-month internship. This degree prepares highly skilled and effective leaders and agents of change who desire to transform conflict and build peaceful and just systems and societies.
All highly qualified admitted students are eligible for a full scholarship that covers tuition and a stipend for living expenses. The application deadline to enter in the fall of 2017 is December 15th, 2016. Please click on this link to begin your application.
Join the community of over 500 master’s graduates who work worldwide on the structural roots of violence and on inclusive, sustainable efforts-across all levels of society–to design and implement effective and ethical responses for human flourishing.
If you have any questions specific to the concentration in International Peace Studies, contact Susan St. Ville, Director of the Peace Studies Concentration: sstvill1@nd.edu. For all other questions, please contact Colleen Andrews, Admissions and Academic Coordinator: keough-admissions@nd.edu
Call for Applications, Master of Arts in Peace and Justice, University of San Diego
Dear Colleagues,
I am the Dean of the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego. At the Kroc School we educate leaders to respond to the demands of the present in order to build a better future. Our academic programs include a Master of Arts in Peace and Justice (MAPJ) for individuals pursuing careers in peacebuilding, human rights, sustainable development and conflict transformation. I invite you to share this exciting opportunity with your friends and colleagues who want to become peacebuilders and changemakers.
The MAPJ offers a curriculum where the border region provides an opportunity to build empathy, learn from different actors and apply theories and newly acquired knowledge. Field-based courses—locally, across the border and around the world—allow for real-world lessons that go beyond the classroom. For example, this spring a group of students will go to Bogotá, Colombia, to learn about the ongoing peace process as it faces new challenges after the results of the Oct. 2 referendum.
The Kroc School MAPJ is a program for students who believe in the power of connections and collaborations. They will engage in dialogue with top peace and justice leaders from around the world inside and outside of the classroom. A required internship experience will provide a deeper dive into an area of focus, and greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals and organizations creating sustainable change. Partnerships with organizations such as the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which oversees key policy dialogue and policy review on social and economic issues, will expose students to timely issues of peace and security and offer them the the opportunity to participate in UN conferences alongside Kroc School staff.
From the start, we guide our students toward professional fulfillment and success. Students have continuous career guidance, counseling and workshops. We promote professional networking and connectedness through the Kroc Connect program and a Mentoring Alliance that matches individual students with experienced professionals in San Diego.
Please share with friends and others who are interested in innovation for peace and justice in the world. The application deadline is January 15 for full-time and February 15 for part-time enrollment.
To learn more about our innovative approach at the Kroc School, take a moment to review our Annual Report, Peacebuilding Video and visit our website: http://www.sandiego.edu/peace
Contact Miranda Williamson directly, our Graduate Student Services specialist, for specific questions you may have regarding admissions at (619) 260-7929 or mirandawilliamson@sandiego.edu. And remember, this program is also offered part-time.
Many thanks for spreading the word – the world can hardly wait.
The University of Edinberg Postgraduate Scholarships
60 postgraduate Masters scholarships are available for the brightest and best African scholars with great potential but few educational opportunities.
Scholars will be provided with the opportunity to become leaders within their communities and to improve the lives of countless more when they return home to Africa.
Award
Ten scholarships are available in 2017/2018 which will cover the full tuition fees and expenses for accommodation and maintenance. Awards are tenable for one academic year, and at the end of the award candidates will be required to return to Africa.
Scholarships are available for the following postgraduate Masters programmes:
MSc Africa and International Development
MSc Environment and Development
MSc Sustainable Energy Systems
Eligibility
You must qualify academically for admission to the University of Edinburgh in the programmes listed above. We encourage applicants to apply to this scholarship BEFORE applying to the University. Have a look at entry requirements for postgraduate students at http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/international/postgraduate-entry/africa Please see section on applying below for more information;
You must be a resident and citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country, whose personal circumstances would make accepting an offer from the University of Edinburgh difficult. Applications from Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe are particularly welcome;
You must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service within your community; and
You are able to present economically disadvantaged circumstances and be able to show that you lack financial means from family or other sources to pursue post-secondary (university) education in your home country or elsewhere.
Preference will be given to candidates who have not already had the opportunity to study in Scotland.
Criteria
The scholarships are competitive and awarded broadly on the basis of academic merit. Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, the overseas equivalent of a UK first-class honours degree. Applicants financial, personal, and family circumstances will also be taken into account.
Applicants must also be committed to returning to Africa following their graduation to give back to their home community and country.
Applying
We encourage applicants to apply to this scholarship BEFORE applying to the University (unless they are also applying to funding elsewhere). By completing a short online pre-application assessment, the MCF team will assess the student’s eligibility for the scholarship and if appropriate, provide a full application form.
Scholarship applications open on 4th October 2016 and close at midnight (GMT) on 30th November 2016.
STEP 1: COMPLETE AN ONLINE PRE-APPLICATION ASSESSMENT
In order to assess your eligibility for the scholarship, please complete the following Pre-Application Assessment Form. Please note that full applications are not accepted before 4th October 2016, but you can complete the Pre- Application Assessment Form before that time.
STEP 2: RECEIVE A RESPONSE FROM THE MCF TEAM
Based on your eligibility for the program as assessed through the online Pre-Application Assessment Form, we will respond to you shortly.
We will send you a full scholarship application if you’re eligible for the scholarship program with further information on the terms & conditions of the program.
STEP 3: COMPLETE & SUBMIT YOUR FULL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM
Complete application and send to us from 4th of October 2016 to midnight (GMT) on 30th November 2016.
Please be advised full applications sent before the 4thof October 2016 will not be considered.
Costs associated with visas, English language testing, and the application process (including deposit for application) will be covered by The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program.
Selection Procedure
A University of Edinburgh Selection Committee will meet in January 2017 with an aim to interview shortlisted candidates in February and March. The scholarship winners will be announced in late-March 2017.
Related Links
For more info see http://www.ed.ac.uk/student-funding/mastercardfdn/apply/postgraduate