Social Cohesion – Addressing Inequality and Promoting National Building
Responding to this challenge, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in its Strategic Plan 2017- 2021 identifies inequality, and in particular, unequal access to resources, as well as inequality of opportunity to personal and community development, as key challenges to social cohesion and nation-building in South Africa. To contribute towards addressing these challenges and building social cohesion in the institution, in communities and in South Africa broadly, the strategic plan focuses the UKZN research flagship: Social Cohesion: Addressing Inequality and Promoting Nation Building on “tackling factors that sustain inequality of opportunity and outcomes, by building capabilities, removing barriers, and redressing the wrongs of the past. Furthermore, UKZN will focus on leveraging successes in these areas for translation into real achievements for our citizens and communities, with an emphasis on the poorest of the poor and marginalized communities” (UKZN Strategic Plan, 2017-2021 p.10).
Approach
As a research Flagship, Social Cohesion: Addressing Inequality and Promoting Nation Building will: 1) Facilitate research to understand the various factors that contribute to and emanate from inequality, as well as to develop programmes aimed at addressing these at institutional, community and societal levels; 2) Function as a hub for community engagement and dialogue, and to facilitate conversations within UKZN, between UKZN and various communities, as well as national and international dialogues aimed at understanding and addressing inequality and promoting social cohesion and nation building; 3) Train and support a cohort of postgraduate students, researchers and practitioners who will contribute towards research and community engagement initiatives aimed at understanding the issues and finding/developing solutions; and 4) Facilitate multi- and inter-disciplinary collaborations within UKZN, and between UKZN and other scholars and practitioners at national and international levels.