About Us
Structure
The Unit for Religion and Development Research (URDR) is a self-reliant entity (with academic status) within the structure of the Department of Practical Theology and Missiology in the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University. The Unit reports to its Board and through the Board to the Faculty of Theology.
Vision
To empower faith communities for sustainable development through research, theory development and training.
Mission
The aim of the Unit is to empower communities for sustainable development through research, theory development, training and consultation. Thus the URDR provides both research and training in the broad field of Community Development and Social Research, for the public, private, and academic sector.
Key project staff
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Prof. K. August
Prof.August has been lecturing in Theology and Community Development at Stellenbosch University since 1998 and in January 2011 added the directorship of the URDR to his duties.
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Marietjie Botha
Marietjie Botha has a masters degree in Home Economics with special interest in housing, design and adult education. She lectured at the former Department of Consumer Sciences, Stellenbosch University and has been working at the URDR since 2006.
She is responsible for co-coordinating projects in the URDR aimed at community development and capacity building and facilitates training that focus on the needs of communities. In 2009 Marietjie received the Rector's award for Excellence in Community Interaction.
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Elisabet le Roux
Elisabet le Roux has masters degrees in Translation and in Clinical Pastorate (specialising in HIV) and is currently working on her PhD in Sociology, on the topic of sexual violence against women during and after armed conflict in Africa, and the role of the church.
Her main areas of professional expertise and interest are HIV, gender-based violence, armed conflict, leadership development and religion . She has for the past seven years been working and doing research in different communities in Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Elisabet has done consultancy and training for NGO's, churches, state clinics and academic institutions before becoming part of the URDR's permanent staff in 2009.
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News
The URDR again receives Community Interaction Flagship Status after external evaluation!
At the end of 2011 SU Community Interaction Flagship Projects were reviewed by external evaluators. After a rigorous evaluation process the URDR was again awarded Flagship Status. Read more about this at Community Interaction.
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