At the invitation of the South African Government, DPI is organising a Comparative Study Visit to South Africa, to take place from 30th April – 7th May 2013, which will explore South African experience of conflict resolution and the transition to democracy. Participants in the visit will include Members of Parliament from Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), as well as renowned journalists, academics and civil society representatives. They will meet with high level key players within the South African government, political parties and democratic institutions who will share their direct and personal experiences of democratic change within South Africa. Topics which will be covered include Disarmament, Remobilisation and Reintegration, the South African Truth and Reconciliation process, and the Constitution making process in South Africa among others. In addition to these discussions a number of cultural visits will be made including visits to Robben Island and Soweto. DPI Director, Kerim Yildiz said of the visit: ‘Extremely important developments are currently taking place in Turkey, providing a means for people to look to the future. I believe that this visit will provide an opportunity for the sharing of experiences and learning, and that hope it will contribute to the success of the ongoing process in Turkey’. Previous activities of DPI’s Turkey programme include the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, as well as roundtable activities on various subjects in Turkey. Future studies are intended to take place in other relevant parts of the world. Records of all of DPI’s activities are available via DPI’s website: www.democraticprogress.org. A record including all of the discussions in South Africa will be available from DPI and news of the visit will appear via DPI’s Twitter account (DPI_UK). For further information please contact Eleanor Johnson at ejohnson@democraticprogress.org