Background and justification

Several universities and special institutes working with different aspects of OSH exist in the region. Although some cooperation already exists between these in some cases or during certain periods, a more developed and established cooperation is needed to get a better and more efficient preventive OSH work in the region. In a pilot study by Svedberg, preparing this Programme, institutions of interest have been identified. Based upon this survey it is proposed to establish three Resource Complexes in the Phase I.

Each of these Complexes would comprise at least one regional OSH agency (Resource Centre) outside South Africa, twinned with a South African university.

The Programme would strengthen these Complexes by: the synergism of the Centre and the twinned university (with funds for interaction); funding of specific activities in terms of the Programme thus building competence through practical experience; appointment of Programme specific staff in the Resource Centres to strengthen capacity to implement the Programme; technical and scientific support from the National Institute for Working Life (NIWL) in project development and implementation and mentoring of Programme staff; and interaction with other regional initiatives.

Although three Resource Complexes are envisaged in the Phase I, the Programme should aim to actively extend the concept across the region in subsequent phases. The Complexes would be strengthened but would also contribute to the Programme, as administrative and scientific support would be mobilised from the Centres and the universities. Besides intellectual resources, the universities bring financial management capacity through their grant management systems, administrative capacity through project management structures and support infrastructure such as ethics committees and scientific protocol assessment and are thus key to Resource Complexes.

There are a number of international organisations active in the region with the common aim to develop occupational health in Southern Africa. They are collaborating with regional agencies and institutions in the SADC countries. The most important organisations are the International Labour Organisation, the World Health Organisation, the Fogarty International Center (US National Institutes of Health) and DANIDA. To build on work that is being done and to avoid unnecessary duplication work a close exchange of information and cooperation between the organisations is needed. This Programme of capacity building will cooperate closely with these existing programmes and international initiatives to effectively develop regional resources.