Overview

The Infrastructure Dialogues comprises a series of high level monthly seminars dealing with relevant topics and issues within the infrastructure sector. The seminars will be held on the last Thursday of every month commencing in June 2009. The format for the seminars will be:

• High level informed speakers who will present input papers on the topic. There will generally be three speakers per seminar one representing the private sector, one the public sector and an academic/specialist.
• A strong facilitator with knowledge of the topic being discussed.
• Pre-circulation of relevant materials
• Structured discussions around specific issues pertaining to the topic with a view to contributing to developing a common understanding and position within the sector.
• The development of a summary document that sets out the issues raised and positions developed within the discussions.
• Evaluation of each seminar after it has been held both by the participants and the facilitator and speakers

Purpose

The purpose of the Infrastructure Dialogues is to create a high level platform for discussion and a sharing of views and perspectives between senior government, private sector and civil society stakeholders in the infrastructure sector. While the number of participants in the discussions will need to be limited, a wider group of interested stakeholders will be able to engage indirectly by receiving the input documents and summaries of the dialogues electronically. Taken together the series outputs should produce the desired outcome which is an improved climate for policy and decision making in the infrastructure sector.

Participation

Participation in the dialogues will be by invitation per topic, but a wider group of interested stakeholders will be able to engage by receiving the all the input documents and the discussions from the dialogue electronically. Taken together, the series outputs should produce an improved climate for policy and decision making in the infrastructure sector.

Click here to view the Infrastructure Dialogues Programme

The Infrastructure Dialogues are hosted by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), the  Business Trust Support Programme for Accelerated Infrastructure Development (SPAID) and the South African Cities Network (SACN).

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is one of several development finance institutions in South and Southern Africa. Its purpose is to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development by funding physical, social and economic infrastructure. DBSA’s goal is to improve the quality of life of the people of the region. For more details see www.dbsa.org.

The Business Trust Support Programme for Accelerated Infrastructure Development (SPAID) combines the resources of business and government to accelerate the achievement of the government’s infrastructure development targets. In addition SPAID provides a platform to improve understanding and dialogue between senior public and private sector stakeholders in the infrastructure sector. SPAID is an initiative of the Business Trust in partnership with the Presidency of the South African government. For more details see www.spaid.co.za.

The Business Trust combines the resources of business and government in areas of common interest to accelerate the achievement of national objectives. It focuses on creating jobs, building capacity and combating poverty. For more details see www.btrust.org.za

In conducting its work, the South African Cities Network secretariat is guided by a programme framework that encourages cities to define city development strategies that adopt a long term view on urban challenges. SACN promotes an inter-governmental approach to planning; and a strategic focus on mobilizing city partners. The objective of any city development strategy is to ensure an integrated approach to development and economic growth in SA cities. For more details see www.sacities.net

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