The Board of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has appointed Graham Hopwood as the institute’s new Executive Director. Hopwood takes over from Daniel Motinga, who resigned to join the commercial banking sector in late 2007. Motinga however continues to serve the IPPR as a Board member.

Graham Hopwood

Before joining the IPPR, Hopwood, who holds a BA Hons Degree (2.1) in English Language and Literature from the University of Liverpool, UK, was the Manager of the Public Dialogue Centre at the Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID) in Windhoek.
Prior to that, he worked as a freelance researcher and lecturer from 2004 to early 2007 and was employed as a journalist and sub-editor at The Namibian newspaper from 1992 to 2004. He is an editorial advisor to the current affairs magazine Insight Namibia.
Hopwood is an established and published researcher in the field of democracy and governance. His published work includes the Guide to Namibian Politics (NID, 2004, 2006, 2007); The Impact of HIV/AIDS on the Electoral Process in Namibia (with Hunter J. and Kellner D.)  (Institute for Democracy in South Africa, 2008); Tackling Corruption: Opinions on the Way Forward In Namibia (Editor) (NID, 2007); The Swapo Extraordinary Congress: Uncharted Territory (research paper published by IPPR 2004); and The Men Who Would Be President (research paper published by IPPR 2004).
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) was launched on 19 April 2001 as a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to deliver analytical, critical yet constructive research into social, political and economic policy-related issues that affect development in Namibia.The IPPR operates independently of government, political parties, business, trade unions and other interest groups and is governed by a board of seven trustees. They are: Ms. Monica Koep (Chairperson), Dr. Pandu Hailonga-van Dijk, Prof. Bill Lindeke, Daniel Motinga, Prof. André du Pisani, and Robin Sherbourne.
Looking ahead, the IPPR has a series of exciting and topical research projects lined up for 2008. Chief among these is a new book, the Guide to the Namibian Economy, which will be published by the institute in the first half of the year.
In addition, the IPPR is planning a series of publications on highly relevant issues, including corruption, poverty and inequality, educational reform, energy planning, and the latest political developments. The IPPR will continue publishing its monthly Business Climate Index in collaboration with IJG and serve as the Namibian partner for the fourth Afrobarometer public opinion survey, which will be conducted in Namibia later this year.