Economic Performance and Development
Chitiga-Mabugu
Prof Margaret Chitiga-Mabugu
Executive director
OUR MISSION

EPD’s mission is to generate robust knowledge, evidence and policy proposals through rigorous research for lasting solutions to the pressing economic and developmental challenges of unemployment, inequality, poverty and growth facing South Africa and the rest of Africa.

OUR VISION

Our vision is to contribute to the creation of a productive, inclusive and resilient country and continent through broad-based economic development and full employment. Our research will contribute to making a difference.

THEMES

There are four thematic areas of research:

  • Macro-micro dynamics of structural change
    This theme involves the analysis of the structural dynamics of the economy and the kinds of shifts required to improve productivity and innovation, while creating employment, reducing inequalities and poverty.

  • Spatial development and migration
    This theme analyses the interactions between the spatial economy, settlement patterns and migration trends with a view to creating more prosperous and vibrant places, and tackling entrenched geographical inequalities.
  • Sustainable development
    This theme’s objective is to understand and improve the functioning of social programmes with broader developmental objectives, including policies to improve the social wage, to protect vulnerable groups, to promote food security, to promote rural development in order to reduce poverty and address environmental and ecological concerns. In general to enhance social protection and improve livelihoods and assets.

  • Labour market dynamics
    This theme focuses on the how, why and what of sustainable employment creation. It explores the role of different stakeholders in job creation, retention and progression. It includes issues of decent jobs, and various labour market policies and programmes.
    In December 2010, the Economic Performance and Development programme of the HSRC, with the support of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (RLF) and OSISA, coordinated a live webcast of the international conference, 'Global Crisis, Rethinking Economy and Society', hosted by the Chicago Center for Contemporary Theory at the  University of Chicago. The  presentations and debates at this gathering, where world renowned intellectuals shared their views, are now available for download. Click here for more.