Economic Societies' Strategic Repositioning in African Context
Introduction
Professional development associations or economics professions-related industry associations like national economic societies create an enabling environment that fosters professional growth, networking, and community empowerment. Through strategic planning, economic societies design and implement innovative programs and initiatives to address their members' evolving needs. In addition, national economics associations in the Americas, Caribbean, and African countries leverage membership and leadership skillsets to accelerate Africa's socioeconomic transformation through enhanced access to resources, training, and collaboration by focusing on career development, innovation, diversity, and community vitality.
As career development societies' numbers and diversities deepen in Africa, these professional development associations are characterized byu different strategic repositioning experiences. Selected professional associations that I have participated in their programs include: National Economic Association (NEA) , the Society of Black Academics (SBA) , the African School of Economics , Pan-African Scientific Research Council (PASRC), the AFRICAN FINANCE AND ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION , the ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFRICAN WOMEN ECONOMISTS , the ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA , the Economic Society of South Africa (ESSA), the Moroccan Association of Agricultural Economics, the Association des Economistes Tunisiens (ASECTU) , the Economic Association of Malawi, the Economic Association of Zambia (EAZ), the Economic Society of Somalia (ESS), Ethiopian Economics Association (EEA), the Economists Society of Kenya (ESK) , The Nigerian Economic Society , the African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE) , the African Econometric Society, African Economic History Network , the African Accounting and Finance Association (AAFA) , and the Association des Economistes Congolais (AEC) or Congolese Economic Association. Five strategic repositioning priorities (SRPs) African-based economic societies should adopt toward guiding their programs, initiatives, and impacts over the next five years, intending to collaborate with regional and international economic associations to promote joint goals and African perspectives in global economic discussions, include:
Strategic Repositioning Priorities (SRPs): These Strategic Priorities (SPs) represent the core areas of focus that will direct the association’s work:
SRP-1: National, Continental, and International Conference Series
1. African Continental Annual Conferences: Collaborating with global and African academic institutions and universities to organize and host annual conferences. These conferences will unite scholars, policymakers, and emerging leaders around key themes for Africa's development.
Key Goals:
- Expand the reach of associations' global and African conferences.
- Launch signature fellowships, prizes, and awards to recognize leadership and innovation.
SRP-2: Publications
1. Functional Scopus-Indexed Journals: Societies should efficiently operate and manage a globally reputable journal publication accepting peer-reviewed research on Pan-Africa’s socio-economic issues.
2. Weekly and Monthly Newsletters: A monthly resource guide offering updates on research, grants, job opportunities, and academic events.
Key Goals:
- Enhance the visibility of associations' research and publications.
- Cultivate partnerships to improve academic research output on African development.
SP-3: Fellowships and Awards
1. Graduate Fellowship (AGEF): Supports Africa’s doctoral students by offering career development, re-skilling, and networking opportunities.
2. Impact-maker's Fellowship: Recognizes individuals significantly contributing to Africa’s socio-economic development.
3. Innovative Policy Research Award: This award promotes the application of innovative research methodologies to address Pan-Africa’s development challenges.
4. Association President’s Award: Recognizes outstanding members and committees significantly contributing to the association's mission.
Key Goals:
- Establish and promote new fellowships and awards to honor emerging scholars and leaders.
- Enhance the capacity of African graduate students through fellowships.
SRP-4: Webinars, Conversations, Seminars, and Docuseries
1. Conversation Series: A platform for discussing emerging challenges and opportunities for African scholars focused on career development and job market access.
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2. Founders' Docu-Series: A series of documentaries that honor economic societies’ founders and the association’s role in shaping Africa’s socio-economic development.
Key Goals:
- Enhance member engagement through webinars and seminars.
- Promote leadership development and career mentorship via conversations and docuseries.
SRP-5: Ethical AI Lab
1. AI for Socioeconomic Impact: Professional development associations should launch an Ethical AI and Policy Lab to explore how AI can enhance socioeconomic impacts.
Key Goals:
- Explore the potential of AI in promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Integrate AI technologies into associations’ programs to improve data analytics, policy research, and member services.
Monitoring & Evaluation
Professional development associations should establish a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework to measure progress against strategic outputs and goals. This framework will include:
- Annual reviews of progress toward targets.
- Quarterly reports detailing updates on key initiatives.
- Member feedback through surveys.
Conclusion
These SRPs mark a transformative step toward enhancing professional development, cultivating leadership, and advancing Africa’s socioeconomic goals. By emphasizing innovation, collaboration, and capacity-building, Africa's professional development associations are poised to play a crucial role in shaping the 'Africa we want by 2063' through informed economic policies and empowered professionals.
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