African Universities as Sites of Activism and Protection
Fri 13 Oct 2023 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM BST
Online, Zoom
Description
Image: Percy C. Mpindi
Unfortunately we have had to postpone this webinar - we will aim to reschedule the event in the next few months.
Researchers from the Political Studies Department at the University of the Western Cape will report on a workshop held in August at UWC titled, Protecting Universities, Protecting Democracy: Universities as Sites of Protection and Activism. In this workshop, academics, student leaders and activists met for three days to share experience and knowledge and to consider the protective role of African universities in supporting human rights defenders on the continent. The presenters will also discuss the development of an African Human Rights Hub. You can read initial reflections on the symposium here.
Please reserve a ticket and we will forward you a zoom link to the webinar in the week before the event.
Fiona Anciano is an Associate Professor in Political Studies, lead of the Politics and Urban Governance Research Group at the University of the Western Cape, and a Visiting Researcher at University West, Sweden. She is a qualitative researcher with an interest in urban governance, democratisation, citizenship and civil society.
Dr Mmeli Dube is a researcher with an activism background. His interests include civil society, democracy and urban politics. His PhD focused on voluntary associations and democratisation in two Global South cities, Cape Town (South Africa) and Bulawayo (Zimbabwe). He has co-authored a book chapter and several papers on citizenship and social justice in post-colonial states.
Lindokuhle Mandyoli is an Associate Lecturer in Political Studies and researcher in Politics and Urban Governance. With a broad interest in Political Theory/Philosophy, his research interests are in the capital/race debate in South Africa, democratic constitutional hegemony and the intellectual history(ies) of the South African student movement
Boitumelo Papane is a researcher whose interests include the theories and practice of political participation and informality in community-based organizations. She wishes to conduct research that speaks to the current political climate and to produce outputs that reflect her mission towards scholarly activism.
This webinar is part of a series of online and face-to-face events – webinars, workshops, training events and conferences – hosted by the UNESCO Chair, Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Expansion of Political Space. The Chair was awarded to the Centre for Applied Human Rights (CAHR), University of York, in 2023 to promote an integrated system of research, teaching and training, as well as community engagement and communication.
For further information about the UNESCO Chair, visit our website or email hrdhub@york.ac.uk to become a member of our network.