About the SA Node
About the Southern Africa Node of the Millennium Project
The Southern Africa Node of the Millennium Project was officially established in 2004 through a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the global Millennium Project. The Node was only the 2nd to be established in Africa, and has been active since 2006.
It is the mission of the SA Node to:
- Spread the culture of futures thinking in the region
- Deepen expertise in futures amongst institutions and individuals in southern Africa and
- Galvanise and mobilize southern African experts and networks to participate in the activities of the Millennium Project.
The SA Node is registered as a public benefit organization in South Africa. As such, it functions as a free and voluntary association of individuals and networks that are interested in foresight in Southern Africa. Currently, the SA Node’s network includes a database of over 100 South African individuals and institutions. The activities of the Node are directed by a leadership committee (directors and official members) who meet bi-monthly. Engagements with the network are ad hoc, and network members are encouraged to contribute to and promote activities through the Node. The Node’s funding is generally based on project-specific sponsorships, and other in-kind support from interested individuals and organisations.
The Millennium Project – of which the SA Node is part – was established in 1996 as a unique think tank with 28 Nodes–groups of institutions and individuals who connect global and local perspectives–around the world plus 2,000 volunteer futurists, scholars, business leaders, scientists, and policymakers from more than 50 countries, acting under the auspices of the American Council for the United Nations University. It is dedicated to exploring global futures by interviewing and surveying individuals at corporations, universities, NGO's, UN organizations, and governments to understand world change and to identify actions to reach the best possible future for humanity.
In addition to its annual State of the Future reports, the Millennium Project also produces the Futures Research Methodology series, and special studies such as nanotechnology impacts, Middle East peace scenarios, environmental security, 2025 global science and technology scenarios, early warning and decision making systems. The Millennium Project's work has been recognized by leading organizations, has been named one of the best foresight organizations by the US Department of Energy, is annually selected among “Top Picks” by Future Survey, and is recognized as one of the leading “Best Practices” by United Nations Habitat.
The MP has an international network of “nodes” which are groups of individuals and institutions that connect global and local views on the future by participating in research initiatives. Nodes mobilize the leading minds in the respective countries to support (provide research input e.g., by responding to Delphi questionnaires) projects of the MP as well as to initiate their own special research projects utilizing the network and knowledge of the MP which includes a repository of methodologies, tools and studies.
As a node of the MP, the SA Node champions Southern Africa’s participation in these activities, and participates in the coordination and forward planning of the MP through participation in its annual Planning Committee Meetings.
The SA Node is a registered South Africa Section 21 Company No. 2007/025306/08, PBO Reference No. 930028243.
The secretariat of the SA Node is currently hosted at the offices of the Institute for Economic Research on Innovation in Pretoria.
Directors & Members
Directors:
Members:
Secretariat: Leonie Townsend