From July 28-29, the African Peacebuilding Network (APN)-Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) Program hosted a Regional Proposal Development Workshop for Southern Africa in Gaborone, Botswana in collaboration with the University of Botswana. The workshop brought together facilitators and prospective applicants to the APN-Next Gen fellowships to discuss the proposal-writing process in relation to the intent and scope of APN-Next Gen fellowships. The workshop featured participants from universities in Botswana, Malawi, Madagascar, South Africa, and Lesotho.

After the opening of the workshop on the 28th, Prof. Gabriel Faimau (University of Botswana) delivered the workshop’s keynote lecture, “Developing Innovative Ideas and Research Questions for Advancing Southern Africa’s Peace and Security.”

The 29th began with Dr. Daniel Rakgoasi, senior lecturer in the Department of Population Studies at the University of Botswana, delivering a lecture titled “An Overview of Multidisciplinary Research in Peace and Development in Southern Africa.” Following this lecture, Prof. Godwin Onuoha (Mercer County Community College) delivered his lecture, “The Basics of Writing a Winning Research Proposal: Linking Research Questions to Theory, Methods and Relevance.”

In the afternoon of the 29th, facilitators and participants worked in groups and one-on-one sessions to discuss their proposals and discuss best practice for applying to fellowships such as those offered by the APN-Next Gen program.

The APN-Next Gen would like to thank all the participants, mentors, keynote lecturers, and the distinguished local organizing committee from the University of Botswana for their participation, enthusiasm, support, and commitment to the program.