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This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the radicalisation and recruitment processes of al-Shabaab in Somalia. Based on interviews with 88 former fighters and seven off-the-record sources, the study identifies a complex interplay of religious identity, socio-economic hardship, and political instability as primary drivers for recruitment, while highlighting the critical role of peer influence and the organisation's sophisticated intelligence capabilities.

This research paper synthesizes an SEI-led study on carbon capture and storage (CCS), concluding that current development paths are insufficient for CCS to be commercially available by the end of the decade or to contribute significantly to CO2 emission reductions.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the integration of governance education within African universities. Based on a 2008 scoping study and a 2009 workshop, the paper argues that while higher education is critical for national development, governance education has been historically neglected. It identifies systemic challenges—including resource scarcity, 'brain drain', and political interference—and proposes regional cooperation and ICT integration as pathways to improve the quality and relevance of governance training to support initiatives like the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

This research paper by Jonny Steinberg for the Institute for Security Studies examines the 'xenophobic riots' in South Africa between 11 and 26 May 2008. Through interviews with victims, perpetrators, and local leaders, the author argues that while the violence targeted foreign nationals, it was driven by a patrimonial understanding of the economy as a finite resource and fueled by local struggles for state patronage.

This 2008 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) for the SEED Initiative examines the challenges and processes of scaling up and replicating social and environmental enterprises. It contrasts the 'large scale' ambitions of international development donors with the modest, viability-focused growth goals of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs), suggesting that recognition and reward programs should provide more tailored, long-term support and help create enabling environments rather than expecting entrepreneurs to drive systemic societal transformation alone.

This research paper examines the phenomenon of 'apartheid nostalgia' among residents of Soweto, South Africa, specifically regarding personal security and policing. Based on approximately 80 interviews, the author explores why many residents perceive the apartheid era as safer and more orderly than the post-apartheid period, despite the documented brutality of the regime. The paper contrasts these personal testimonies with historical evidence of township crime and analyzes the perceived failures of the post-apartheid South African Police Service (SAPS).

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies explores whether auditors in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region can provide unique insights into money laundering and the extent to which they can assist in combating it. Based on surveys and interviews with professionals from four multinational auditing firms, the paper concludes that while general auditors are poorly positioned to detect money laundering, forensic auditors may offer valuable qualitative data. It further identifies significant gaps in auditors' understanding of anti-money laundering regulations and highlights systemic challenges in the SADC region that hinder the effectiveness of legal measures.

This report by the Green Economy Coalition and Climate Vanguard maps the global Youth Climate Movement (YCM) to analyze its strategic priorities, theories of change, and needs in a post-pandemic context. Based on a stocktake of 292 groups, surveys of 52 groups, and 19 interviews, the research identifies a tension between a widespread radical analysis of root causes and a lack of coherent strategic implementation, while highlighting an emerging 'Radical Green' wing focused on systemic economic transformation.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra examines the role of services trade in transitioning to a circular economy. Based on a survey of 96 firms and 16 in-depth interviews, the report identifies key services—such as IT, R&D, and waste management—that enable circular business models. It analyzes the modes of service delivery, the impact of digitalization, and the regulatory barriers that hinder the international exchange of these services, ultimately proposing an integrated trade policy approach to support global resource efficiency.

This research paper examines how the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its member countries can systematically integrate climate change into the Article IV surveillance process, focusing on implementation following the IMF's 2021 Comprehensive Surveillance Review.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute explores why 'win-win' outcomes for corporations and the environment are not scaling, drawing on interviews with sustainability managers from eight multinational companies.