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Virtually all of Professor Weisfelder’s research and publications have focused on the political economy of Southern Africa, particularly of Lesotho, South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). During eighteen months (1965-66) of dissertation research in Basutoland (now Lesotho), he created the network of contacts that will sustain the current project. These relationships have been nurtured and enhancedby his Fulbright lectureships at the University of Botswana (1978-81), the National University of Lesotho (NUL) (1995-6) and the University of North West in Mafikeng, South Africa (2004) and by prior Southern African group projects in 2001 and 2003.
Lesotho is a small country with a single university, where most graduates find employment within the governmental sector and spend most of their careers in the capital city. Hence Professor Weisfelder’s former students, colleagues and acquaintances in Lesotho are presently mid-career and senior professionals in government departments, the university and private organizations. For example, prior group project participants met with his former colleague at NUL, who is presently Minister of Local Government, as well as two other current senior cabinet members and King Letsie III. During visits to several agencies his former students appeared to greet their professor and attend the group sessions. Important scholars and authors, knowledgeable about Lesotho, led seminars for the group in their areas of competence. The project has the support of the Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Lesotho. Awareness of Professor Weisfelder’s extensive publications on Lesotho will also permit our Lesotho country coordinator to schedule group activities with schools, non-governmental organizations, government offices, embassies and international agencies.
South Africa is much larger and more diffuse, but Weisfelder has also developed professional relationships with scholars at several research institutes and universities in the Johannesburg/Pretoria area. These groups and individuals will again provide briefings for the seminar and access to public officials and leaders of non-governmental organizations for the selected group of teachers. The National Director of the South African Institute for International Affairs has guaranteed support for the project from that organization, which previously published work by Professor Weisfelder in its journal. The Head of the Department of Political Science and the Center for International Political Studies at the University of Pretoria has agreed to have that organization help coordinate the South African portion of our venture. Similarly the Head of the Department of Political Science at the University of the Free State will help organize seminars and meetings with groups connected to Lesotho during our visit to Bloemfontein.
For more information see his University of Toledo home page at: Prof. Richard Weisfelder
Currently an Acting Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Toledo, associate professor Mark Denham has also served as the Director of the University's International Affairs Institute and Chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration. He will be responsible for some of the administrative aspects of the grant, and is listed as co-PI. His research and publications focus on international nongovernmental organizations and international political economy, including a study of the distribution of development assistance to Africa. He has edited books on sovereignty and citizenship which have been published by Macmillan, St. Martin's Press, and Peter Lang Publishers. He is a member of the International Studies Association and has held offices in that organization. At The University of Toledo Dr. Denham has served as a Master Teacher in the College of Arts and Sciences and as a member of the Faculty Senate. He was director of a U.S. Department of Education Title VI A grant project, International Environmental and Women's Studies: Making the Connection. He maintains an active professional and personal interest in southern Africa and has traveled in the region several times, including as a participant in the University’s GPA in 2001 and as director in 2003.
For more information see his University of Toledo home page at Prof. Mark Denham