Working Group on International Relations (WGIR)

During the late 1980s, it became apparent that momentous changes were afoot in South Africa. These changes to some degree mirrored changes that were taking place on the African continent as well as internationally. In the international arena, a new spirit of rapprochement existed between the USA and USSR. Traditional 'East vs. West' polarities were receding. The Cold War was ending; Soviet Communism was in decline; Germany would soon be reunified. On the African continent, negotiated settlements were being sought for conflicts in Namibia, Angola and Mozambique.

In South Africa, too, the winds of change were blowing. Continued mass-based protest, together with international diplomatic and economic interventions, had brought South Africa to the point where it was increasingly clear that Apartheid was in the last stages of its ignominious existence. However, the African National Congress (ANC) was still banned, along with many other organisations. The United Democratic Front (UDF) and other organs of the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) spearheaded resistance efforts within the country. The WGIR was a project of the UDF set up to facilitate the following aims:[1]

To research international events and the institutions and governments that influence such events.

To initiate consultation and evaluation of events and policies and the data that flows from such research.

To provide a structured reference point within the country easily accessible to community groups.

To provide those parties engaged in the process of peaceful and fundamental change the data base and access to an evaluative process on international questions of importance to the country.

The material in the collection conforms to these aims. International events are analysed, and relevance to South Africa is evaluated. Contacts and consultations with international organizations are fostered. On the unbanning of the ANC and other parties, the WGIR served as a contact point between the newly released leaders and the international community. The WGIR also facilitated links between prospective black leaders and international training providers, particularly in the areas of public administration and science and technology.

As the ANC became better organized, it developed its own departments dealing with international relations. The WGIR thus shifted its focus from macro international relations to networking with local community based organizations in the area of development.