VII. Expected and Actual Numbers of Forum Participants
18 Students from SYLFF institutions
8 Students from non-SYLFF institutions
3 Faculty from SYLFF institutions
3 Faculty from non-SYLFF institutions
17 Researchers, government officials and NGO experts
VIII. Discussion of the degree to which the Forum objectives were met or not met
Due to the high cost of international travel, interested students based outside South Africa had to compete for travel funds by submitting relevant papers. This catalysed important research on the applicability of the DES model in the African context. In addition to looking at case studies of DES projects, papers prepared for the Forum investigated the potential for various emerging DES technologies in Africa, the economics of the DES model in a developing country context, and the implications for DES of the existing regulatory and policy environment in South Africa and Kenya.
The quality of the accepted papers was exceptional and this provided the basis for an extremely productive debate during the event. One of the most rewarding sessions involved all participants in a collective effort to edit a draft summary for policy makers during the last day of the Forum. The ideas generated during the previous sessions coalesced well in this document.
IX. Discussion of the immediate results of the Forum
During the Forum, the wide range of presentations stimulated productive debate and generated a set of specific ideas to help African countries benefit from DES. A summary of these recommendations will be published in a newsletter that is widely accessible to policy makers in Africa. It is hoped that this timely input will help South Africa and its sister nations in Africa take full advantage of the environmental, social and economic potential of DES.
X. Discussion of the expected outcomes and impact of the Forum
A select subset of the papers from this Forum may be published in an edited volume that should provide a unique and useful resource to policy makers working on distributed electricity services issues in the African context.
Most importantly, however, the DESA SYLFF Forum provided a unique opportunity for students working in the emerging field of energy and development to exchange information and ideas regarding academic programs and career paths. The Forum also successfully introduced graduate students at SYLFF institutions to the technical, economic, environmental, and policy aspects of DES. Most importantly, the relationships forged during the Forum should yield important future collaboration on the subject among SYLFF students from Africa, the United States and Europe.
XI. Discussion of any expected and/or unexpected difficulties in implementing the Forum
The most difficult aspect of implementing the Forum has been coping with the essential, but nonetheless burdensome, record-keeping and administrative requirements involved.
