New structure for social responsiveness forum

Role players: Photographed at the Social Responsiveness Colloquium were (from left) deputy vice-chancellor Prof Jo Beall, Dr Alan Hirsch (Office of the Presidency), Mzolisi ka Toni (Disabled People of SA), Peet du Plooy (World Wide Fund for Nature-SA).

The Social Responsiveness Colloquium, an annual event to highlight "good and innovative practices" between UCT and the community, was held at UCT on 19 August.

Including a programme of presentations and discussions, the colloquium was, for the first time, structured around presentations from three major categories of external constituencies, namely government, business and civil society.

The first session, titled External Partners Reflecting on their Partnerships with UCT with Comments on Good Practices, included presentations from Samantha Waterhouse, of Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, Mzolisi ka Toni, of Disabled People of South Africa, and Peet du Plooy, of the World Wide Fund for Nature - South Africa.

The second session, titled Comments on Opportunities for New Partnerships: An assessment of UCT's strategic concept paper on social responsiveness, featured a presentation by Dr Alan Hirsch, deputy head of policy co-ordination and advisory services in the Office of the Presidency.

Deputy vice-chancellor Professor Jo Beall said: "It is hoped that this innovative approach will not only stimulate debate about UCT's social responsiveness practices, but will also carve new ways of engagement and strengthen UCT's mission in playing an active role regarding the country's challenges."