This Discussion Paper is part of IDOS’s research project “Policies for Social Cohesion in Africa”. Social cohesion – or social solidarity – within societies is a key success factor for sustainable development in Africa. Social cohesion is particularly under-pressure in most world regions, including Africa. The inter-disciplinary IDOS team aims to identify patterns of social cohesion in Africa, analyse factors that influence the degree of social cohesion and identify domestic and international policies that contribute to the creation and consolidation of social cohesion.

The team addresses five issue areas: • Measurement and understanding of patterns of social cohesion in African countries; • Inclusive economic development, including urbanisation, financial sector development, and foreign direct investment with an emphasis on how to maximise opportunities for sustainable economic development; • Social policy, poverty and health, addressing the specific role that different social and health policies can have in promoting social cohesion; • Values, political institutions and resource mobilisation, spanning from the relevance of value orientations for the functioning of political institutions to tax systems, which affect the interaction between citizens and the state; and • Conflict and societal peace, including the influence of political institutions and regime transitions on societal peace in post-conflict societies and how international support can contribute to social cohesion