Invitation to Support the Global South Solidarity Fund

The biannual World Congress of Political Science presents opportunities to meet political scientists from all points of the globe, exchange ideas, develop professional networks that may lead to joint research and writing, not to mention lifelong friendships. In order to make the most of these opportunities, IPSA has worked hard, throughout its history, to boost attendance at the World Congress as well as the variety of countries participants come from. To that end, making travel grants available to those who otherwise would not be able come has been an integral part of IPSA outreach activities.

The funds IPSA allocates to travel grants, however generous, are constrained by the association’s limited budget. I therefore call upon members to contribute to our Global South Solidarity Fund, which has been in operation for the past several years. Our hosts in Brisbane have already raised funds for this important initiative. For my part, I recently asked Wyn Grant of Great Britain’s Warwick University, a former member of the IPSA Executive Committee, to head up the Global South Solidarity Fund until the 2018 World Congress in Brisbane, Australia. In this endeavor, he will be assisted by Shirin Rai, also of Warwick University, a current member of the IPSA Executive Committee.

I am pleased to report that the Global South Solidarity Fund page is now up and running at http://www.ipsa.org/awards/global-south

If you wish to make a donation, simply click on the button at the bottom of the page and instructions will guide you through the process of making a donation using your credit card.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Chair of the Global South Solidarity Fund, Professor Wyn P. Grant, and Assistant Chair, Professor Shirin Rai, as well as the members of the IPSA Secretariat under the leadership of Executive Director Andrea Cestaro, for their efforts in completing this facility in a timely manner. Furthermore, Professor Grant made the first generous contribution to the Fund as part of an effort to test the system, thereby ensuring that you will encounter no difficulties in following his example.

I would like to invite you to make a personal gift, but I also ask that you encourage your friends and colleagues to follow suit. I am confident that all of you will share my enthusiasm about making the Global South Solidarity Fund a success.

Thank you for your support.

Yours sincerely,

Ilter Turan

IPSA President