Founded | 2000 |
---|---|
Type | Non-Government Organisation, Think Tank |
Location | |
Website | www.ijr.org.za |
The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) is a non-governmental organisation and think tank based in Cape Town, South Africa. It was forged out of the country’s Truth and Reconciliation process in 2000. The aim was to ensure that lessons learnt from South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy were taken into account as the nation moved ahead. Patron of the IJR is Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
Today, the Institute’s vision is to build fair, democratic and inclusive societies in Africa. Through carefully selected engagements and interventions, the IJR seeks to shape national approaches to transitional justice and reconciliation in Africa by drawing on community intelligence as well as macro-trend research and comparative analysis.
The IJR has earned an international reputation for research of the highest quality, bold policy suggestions and in-depth reconciliation work on the ground.
The widely acclaimed South African Reconciliation Barometer and the Transformation Audit are two of the annual publications that are based on the IJR’s in-house research and analysis. The IJR is core partner of the Afrobarometer since 2013, managing the implementation of the barometer and its research for the Southern Africa region.
IJR’s main mission is to keep reconciliation and social justice on South Africa’s and Africa’s agenda. Evidence shows clear links between economic growth, development, peace and reconciliation, especially where societies resolve conflict and democratise.
The Institute annually recognises the contributions of others to the field of justice and reconciliation through the IJR Reconciliation Award, with past winners including Brigalia Bam, Pieter-Dirk Uys and Albie Sachs.
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is the Institute’s longstanding patron. Its eminent Board of Directors includes Professor Brian O’Connel, Justice Richard Goldstone, Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza, Dr Louise Asmal and Dr Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela. Dr Fanie du Toit, who has been with the IJR since its establishment, is the Executive Director.