The Centre for African Policy & Peace Strategy (CAPPS) is an Africa focused independent applied policy research, advocacy and capacity building think tank.

Our mission is to analyse, inform and facilitate the formulation and implementation of policies and strategies that enhance human security, socio-economic development and good governance in Africa.

We pursue our goals by conducting research, providing analysis, options and strategies; implementing innovative capability building projects; building policy networks and initiating strategic advocacy initiatives. Run by a small team from our London office, we have a larger team of associated researchers and affiliates.

governance and transparency

Much of CAPPS’s work, both research and conferences, is focused on the issues of governance, security and development. We co-hosted a two day conference in June for African and European policymakers, strategy experts and leaders from the public, private and civil society sectors to discuss ‘Improving Governance & Enhancing Policymaking in Africa’. Discussions centred on how to enhance effective decision making, policy formulation and implementation in government, business and humanitarian intervention in Africa. Recommendations from this event will be being acted upon throughout the next year.

We are currently developing the ‘Policy Bridge Programme’ which seeks to mainstream development by connecting diverse policy communities in the public, private and civil society sectors through a range of mechanisms; including seminars, conferences, the publishing of occasional papers and the publication of a quarterly ‘Development Policy Digest’. Governance will feature heavily as an issue in this project.
We are soon to launch an initiative on corruption, whistle blowing and transparency.

climate for business

CAPPS believes that the private sector has an extremely important role to play in Africa’s future and thus endeavours to have the business dimension as a feature in all our work. We try when possible to work in partnership with businesses to carry out our work.

trade

We have engaged in extensive advocacy and provided analyses to CSOs and media networks on issues relating to African trade.

enterprise and employment

CAPPS, with support from VSO and Africa Recruit, organises the African Diaspora Volunteering Initiative (ADVI), which seeks to address the current paucity of skilled human resources on the continent by harnessing the skills and expertise of the African diaspora through volunteerism. ADVI enables individuals with skills in the public, private and civil society sectors to contribute these in the continent for a period of six months. Our first recruits will be volunteering for the African Union, NEPAD, CIVICUS, COMESA, IGAD, the African Monitor and the Pan-African Parliament.

human development

CAPPS is currently developing a one year pilot project to explore the relationship between governance and judicial reform in Africa. The aim is to host a series of dialogue-centred regional workshops with members of bar associations in Sub-Saharan African. The objective of the workshops will be to explore the challenges lawyers – both African and British – face within the governance and judicial framework of African countries.

CAPPS is a key partner of the African Monitor, a civil society organisation established to monitor that G8 promises are fulfilled at the grass-roots and to assess their impact. CAPPS with be co-hosting the launch of the African Monitor in Britain in October and an African Diaspora Leadership Forum.

We are currently developing an initiative to formulate ways in which African’s in the diaspora can contribute more fully to tacking HIV/AIDS on the continent.

perceptions of africa

One of the primary objectives of CAPPS is to help ensure that Africa stays on the international agenda, and that the African diaspora is consulted on decisions made regarding Africa. CAPPS is one of the few African organisations to have participated in the International Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations on the Russian G8 Presidency, having a presence at discussions in Moscow in both March and July 2006.

CAPPS also co-ordinated and authored the African diaspora’s submission to the UK’s Department for International Development’s International Development White Paper consultation process. We also provide analysis to all the mainstream international news media including CNN and the BBC.