UCT welcomes Parliament

People shall share: Dr Max Price was among academics and students who attended a workshop of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Co-operation.

South Africa's foreign policy came under scrutiny when the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Co-operation hosted its national outreach programme at UCT on 5 August.

Students and academics from UCT, Stellenbosch University and the University of the Western Cape involved in international law, politics and international relations, as well as members of the business community and civil society, engaged with government officials on issues informing the policy, and the current trends that influence the general orientation of the policy.

Welcoming delegates, UCT vice-chancellor, Dr Max Price, said the country's foreign policy is important to the university as it aims to position itself as an internationally recognised centre of excellence, and to attract students and academics from around the globe. The workshop was also an opportunity for UCT to share its expertise on the policy with government officials.

Recommendations from the workshop are expected to enhance the committee's input into the national dialogue on what constitutes national interest, the result of which will positively influence the way foreign policy is conducted.