Side Events Programme
Wednesday, 28 May 2025 – Official Side Event Dialogues | All sessions are open to delegates
Socio-Ecological Debt to Africa: Options for Reparations 08:00 - 10:00
Open to all delegates
Time: 08:00 – 10:00
The African Union has designated 2025 as the year of reparations to underscore the importance of reparatory justice. This designation builds on a long history of pan-African struggles for restitution and the restoration of the dignity of Africans on the continent and in the diaspora.
This session expands the conception of reparation beyond the debt owed to humans by drawing the link between environmental damage and its impact on African societies. It uses this lens of socioecological debt owed to Africa to explore options for reparation for historical as well as contemporary socio-environmental arrears.
Organiser: Future Africa Platform, University of Pretoria
Contact details: Prof Maano Ramutsindela, UP-UCT Future Africa Research Chair in Sustainability Transformations, ramutsindela.maano@up.ac.za; maano.ramutsindela@uct.ac.za
Equitable and Just Climate Action 10:30 - 12:30
Open to all delegates
Time: 10:30 – 12:30
Climate change is an urgent global challenge, and Africa is a climate change hotspot, exacerbated by high levels of poverty and inequality, which amplify vulnerabilities. We envision a future where climate action is inclusive, equitable, and just, ensuring that the voices and needs of all African communities are heard and addressed, leaving no one behind. Action needs collaborative and transdisciplinary research, policy advocacy, and fundraising efforts to support transformative projects by convening and coordinating ideas and expertise from across the continent and beyond. Through transdisciplinary collaboration with policymakers, the private sector, civil society, and academic institutions, we can generate impactful research that informs and shapes effective climate policies and practices through evidence, fostering sustainable development and resilience in Africa. We will engage in dialogue with several stakeholders on these topics and share ongoing and planned initiatives
Organiser: Climate Justice, CNRS IRD CIRAD Joint Office in South-Africa; Future Africa Platform, University of Pretoria
Contact details: Prof Laurent Vidal, laurent.vidal@ird.fr;
Prof. Wanda Markotter, wanda.markotter@up.ac.za
Science Diplomacy: Science for Peace in Africa 10:30 - 12:30
Open to all delegates
Time: 10:30 – 12:30
At a time of significant geopolitical stress, the scientific debate on building peaceful societies has never been more crucial. Conflicts threaten the stability and socio-economic development of communities across Africa and globally, underscoring the urgent need for scientific cooperation.
This session will explore how science can contribute to a more peaceful society and help communities navigate just transitions.
The Science4Peace Africa Initiative, a strategic partnership between the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Division for Peace, leverages science diplomacy, interdisciplinary research, and capacity-building. It aims to address the root causes of conflicts, stabilise conflict-affected areas, and promote inclusive, equitable development across Africa in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Organiser: African Academy of Sciences
Contact details: Prof Lise Korsten, lise.korsten@up.ac.za ; Zethu Mkhwanazi, ze2mkhwa@gmail.com and Pieter Rossouw, rossouw.pieter@up.ac.za
Empowering Sustainability Science in Africa: Integrating Efforts and Addressing Continental Challenges through the Future Earth Africa Hub and its Leadership Centre the Africa Sustainability Science Clusters 14:00 - 16:00
Open to all delegates
Time: 14:30 – 16:00
The Future Earth Africa Hub (FEAH), hosted by the National Research Foundation (NRF), is dedicated to advancing sustainability science across Africa by building capacity, forging connections, and enhancing Africa’s role in global sustainability dialogues. Its Leadership Centre (FEAHLC) strategically coordinates activities aligned with Future Earth’s mission in Africa.
This session will highlight the ongoing and planned activities of FEAH and FEAHLC, specifically:
- Forming sustainability science clusters to amplify African voices in global discussions.
- Developing targeted research and strategies on climate change, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and sustainable agriculture.
- Supporting early- and mid-career researchers through training, mentorship, and community integration.
- In addition, the session will also explore opportunities to enhance collaboration and impact.
Organiser: Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre
Contact details: Dr Faten Attig Bahar, faten.bahar@futureearth.org
Wednesday, 28 May 2025 – Partner Sessions
African Traditional Religion 09:00 - 16:00
Attendance is by invitation only.
Contact the side event organisers for more details.
Contact details: Queen Moroke – queen.moroke@up.ac.za
Universities should lead the way for Africa to look East 13:30 - 17:30
Attendance is by invitation only.
Contact the side event organisers for more details.
Contact: Huba Boshoff: huba@theknowledgecollab.co.za
G20 Interfaith Planning Meeting 08:30 - 18:00
Attendance is by invitation only.
Contact the side event organisers for more details.
Contact: Ms Inez Adams at inez.strongertogether@
MITC exhibition | Open to all | Venue: Research Commons 10:00 - 12:00
Open to the public . Contact kelebo
Venue: Research Commons, Future Africa
Thursday, 29 May 2025 – Partner Sessions
Building Capacity in African Research, Innovation, and Science Systems:Using the Discipline of Anticipation 11:30 - 18:30
Open to all delegates
Time: 11:30 – 18:30
The event will provide a platform to reflect on the successes and challenges of the Futures Literacy Incubator at Future Africa, facilitating the exchange of insights among a community of practitioners and researchers. Plenary discussions will identify opportunities to integrate futures literacy into multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary research, teaching, and policy-making, while also exploring how these capabilities can align with key global agendas such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the UN Pact for the Future, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Participants will explore how these practices can foster inclusive, innovative, and sustainable higher education systems, positioning African institutions as drivers of social development, economic development, scientific knowledge, and innovation. Key partners for the event include UNESCO’s Campus Africa, Future Africa’s challenge domains, Tayarisha at the University of Witwatersrand, Hugenote Kollege, the UNESCO Chair in Complex Systems and Transformative African Futures at Stellenbosch University, and UNESCO.
Download the Programme.
Organiser: Futures Literacy Incubator and UNESCO
Contact person: Mr Jason Owen at jason.owen@futureafrica.
Integrating Digital Technology into the AU Agenda 2063 09:00 - 11:00
Attendance is by invitation only.
Contact the side event organisers for more details
Organiser: Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre
Contact: Dr Faten Attig Bahar, faten.bahar@futureearth.org
G20 Interfaith Planning Meeting 08:30 - 18:00
Attendance is by invitation only.
Contact the side event organisers for more details.
Contact: Ms Inez Adams inez.strongertogether@
Celebrating 40 Years of the Africa Academy of Science 09:00 - 11:00
Open to all delegates
For more information contact: Prof Lise Korsten – lise.korsten@up.ac.za
African Traditional Religion 09:00 - 16:00
Attendance is by invitation only.
Contact the side event organisers for more details.
Contact: Queen Moroke – queen.moroke@up.ac.za
Friday, 30 May 2025 – Partner Sessions
Day 2 -Building Capacity in African Research, Innovation, and Science Systems: Using the Discipline of Anticipation 10:00 - 13:30
OPEN TO ALL DELEGATES. REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND
Time: 10:00 – 13:30
The event will provide a platform to reflect on the successes and challenges of the Futures Literacy Incubator at Future Africa, facilitating the exchange of insights among a community of practitioners and researchers. Plenary discussions will identify opportunities to integrate futures literacy into multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary research, teaching, and policy-making, while also exploring how these capabilities can align with key global agendas such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the UN Pact for the Future, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Participants will explore how these practices can foster inclusive, innovative, and sustainable higher education systems, positioning African institutions as drivers of social development, economic development, scientific knowledge, and innovation. Key partners for the event include UNESCO’s Campus Africa, Future Africa’s challenge domains, Tayarisha at the University of Witwatersrand, Hugenote Kollege, the UNESCO Chair in Complex Systems and Transformative African Futures at Stellenbosch University, and UNESCO.
Download the Programme.
Organiser: Futures Literacy Incubator and UNESCO
Contact person: Mr Jason Owen at jason.owen@futureafrica.
Strengthen Agricultural Research and Innovation (SARI) Roundtable 13:30 - 16:30
Attendance is by invitation only.
Contact side event organisers for more details.
Contact: Huba Boshoff – huba@theknowledgecollab.co.za
Woman Leadership in Higher Education 09:00 - 15:00
Attendance is by invitation only.
EU-AU Research on National Policy 09:00 - 12:00
Attendance is by invitation only.
Contact side event organisers for more details.
Contact: Dr Tim Fry – t.j.fry@pgr.reading.ac.
AfriDSAI MITC Teaching Workshop 08:00 - 16:00
Attendance is by invitation only.
SDSN Council Meeting
