The DDP in collaboration with the Kwazulu Natal Christian Council hosted a workshop in Durban to provide a platform for a plan of action with regard to the recent spate of Xenophobia that has gripped the country and displaced many communities in Durban. More than 150 particpants were addressed by three expert panelists who provided insights into some of the causes of the Xenophobic attacks. Representatives of foreign communities who were present felt deeply hurt about the way that they were treated and mentioned a number of other discriminatory practices that made their lives in South Africa intolerable. It was clear that the recent attacks have struck at the very heart of all South Africans and that there was a need to speak seriously about:

•  issues of integration of refugee and immigrant communities

• Undertaking educational workshops in the communities to create space to talk about issues of racism

      and Xenophobia.

• Long term solutions to the present crisis.
  

There was broad consensus that we (the citizens of South Africa) have not seriously engaged each other about issues of race and Xenophobia.

A smaller workshop is planned in conjunction with the leaders of the refugee communities in order to formulate a concrete action plan aimed at finding some solutions to the problem.

The DDP was privileged to host Dr. Thomas Isaac, the Minister of Finance for the State of Kerala in India to address the NGO, academic and local government practitioners in KwaZulu Natal about the successful decentralization experiment in that State. The purpose of the engagement was to share some of the challenges that they faced and to share their reasons for success. The approach used depended both on having a redistributive element as well as a highly participatory process involving all the citizens of the State. Dr.Isaac engaged local experts on some of the lessons learnt from the Kerala experience in relation to the current decentralization debate in South Africa.

The DDP in collaboration with the Centre for Public Participation hosted this critical dialogue forum. 
Presentations were delivered by Mr Mazibuko Jara and Mr Kiru Naidu.

Relations between the ANC and IFP: What should be done in KZN? (Durban)
(26 April 2007, Elangeni Hotel, Durban)
Speakers: Prof Vialkazi (Vilakazi Development Strategies)

A Basic Income Grant: A Solution For Poverty In South Africa? (Durban)
(27 March 2007, Elangeni Hotel, Durban)
Speakers: Ms Karen Read (Diakonia) and Ms Divya Naidoo (Black Sash)

Is there an Education Crisis in South Africa? (Durban)
(15 February 2007, Elangeni Hotel, Durban)
The audience was addressed by Mr S C Nkosi from the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (KZN); Mr Anthony Pierce from the National Professional Teachers' Organization of South Africa (NAPTOSA-KZN) and Prof Renuka Vithal from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Crime In South Africa: Is The Nation Losing Its Battle? (Durban)
(28 September 2006, Elangeni Hotel - Durban)
Dr Johan Burger (Institute for Security Studies) and Dr Monique Marks (UKZN) addressed delegates on the issue of crime in South Africa.

Community Dialogue Khayelitsha (Cape Town)
(13 September 2006, Khayelitsha Training Centre - Cape Town)
This was the second dialogue out of a series that aims at increasing public participation in Khayelitsha. Councillors and NGO representatives of Khayelitsha had been invited.

KwaZulu-Natal or KwaZulu?
(30 August 2006, Elangeni Hotel - Durban)
What are the pros and cons of changing the name of the Province? This question was addressed by Mr Mark Steele (DA), Mr Langa Mtshali (CLRDC) and Mr Nhlanhla Mtaka (Isithangami Project).

Service Delivery and Cooperation of Stakeholders Towards Quality Delivery at KwaMakhutha
(28 June 2006, KwaMakhutha - Durban)
In order to promote active citizen participation, the DDP and CRC hosted a stakeholder dialogue at KwaMakhutha. The meeting provided citizens with an opportunity to express their views on matters of development, safety and security, health and social welfare.