Main trends of research in the social and human ... - unesdoc - Unesco

776 Eric Trist
tors for controlling the execution of regional plans. It also appraises projects
proposed by regions.
c. The principal institution concerned with economic research in Senegal - and
indeed in the whole of West Africa - is the ISEA (Institut de Science Economique
Appliquke de Dakar). Its main themes are : industrialiation (mathematical
treatment of location of industry, criteria for selecting industries,
application of modern technology to underdeveloped countries, cost-benefit
aspects of establishing basic industries) ; agricultural economics; international
economics as they affect African countries. Not surprisingly, statistics
in Senegal have not yet been sufficient either in quantity or quality to justify
the use of mathematical techniques and econometrics. ISEA has stressed the
need for a multidisciplinary approach to problems of development. Unable
itself to support multidisciplinary research teams it works with other institutions.
d. SATEC (Sociktt d'Aide Technique et de Coophation) endeavours to increase
productivity in foodstuffs, especially peanuts. Its work is complementary to
that of organizations attached to the Ministries of Rural Economy and Planning.
It requires research in economics, psychology and ethnology; a study
of Senegalese culture and the constraints it imposes.
e. CINAM (Compagnie d'Etudes Industrielles de d'Amknagement du Territoire)
is concerned with perfecting methods of decentralized planning and setting
them into operation; with work-organization and methods of training officers
of the Centres d'Expansion Rurale; and with methodology for conducting
small projects of interest to rural communities and training the civil servants
responsible for executing and controlling them.
J SCET-COOpk~atiOn is a French organization undertaking action research for
the Senegalese Government in urbanization, rural economy and fishing. It
has been involved in setting up a factory complex at Dakar for canning
tunny fish.
g. CASHA (Centre Africain des Sciences Humaines Appliquks, Aix-en-Provence)
chose Senegal in 1962 as the site for investigating 'la nature des exigences
telles que le dkveloppement tconomique et social impose A une administration
de pays sous-developpts et a en rechercher les conskquences sur le plan
politique, Bconomique et social'.
39. The third broad research domain is that of African Studies to which increasing
attention is being paid as the role of traditional cultures in the development
process has become better appreciated and as the problems posed by their
immense variety - whether as regards language, social structure, or custom -
have begun to be confronted with greater realism. The organizations listed are
working in this field.
a. IFAN studies West African man - his history, civilization, language and arts;
and the evolution of the traditional structure of West African society.
b. CRDS (Centre de Recherches et de Documentation du SBnBgal) studies the
climate, folklore, arts and literature of Senegal. Through its museum it seeks
to popularize Senegalese culture. It provides a documentation/research service
for the Government.