Side Events Programme
| Wednesday, 28 May 2025 – Africa Week 2025 Side Events – Parallel sessions – Open Dialogues | ||
| Venue: | Auditorium | Conference 1 |
| 08:00 – 10:00 | Session Title: Socio-Ecological Debt to Africa: Options for Reparations
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 |
Session Title: Regional Security Complexes in West Africa: Confronting the Threat of Violent Extremism in Ghana
West Africa finds itself in a very complicated security dilemma. The threat of Violent Extremism (VE) presents a regional security complex, as it does not only affect the Sahel but threatens the security of the entire region. Ghana, in particular, is deeply impacted by this complex. There is a growing influx of refugees and migrants into its northern territories, and Violent Extremist Organisations (VEOs) increasingly view Ghana as a safe haven to refuel and recruit. This session will explore the dynamics of regional security complexes in West Africa, using Ghana as a key case study, and will open a broader conversation on the conceptualisation, nature, and complexities of security across the continent. Organiser: University of Cape Coast Contact details: Dr Kaderi Noagah Bukari, Head of Department, Department of Peace Studies, kaderi.bukari@ucc.edu.gh |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Lunch Break | |
| 10:30 – 12:30 | Session Title: Equitable and Just Climate action
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 |
Session Title: Science Diplomacy: Science for Peace in Africa
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 |
| 12:30 – 14:00 | Lunch Break | |
| 14:00 – 16:00 | Session Title: 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
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:
Organiser: Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre Contact details: Dr Faten Attig Bahar, faten.bahar@futureearth.org |
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