Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
01 March 2024 Photo Unsplash
Africa
Collaborating across continents, the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies at the University of the Free State (UFS), alongside the Centre for African Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in India and the African Studies Association of India (ASA India), held a pivotal international webinar titled 'Africa’s Global Engagements: Opportunities and Challenges,' on 27 and 28 January 2024.

In the midst of a global landscape marked by rapid changes, Africa finds itself at the epicentre of a new wave of international interest. This intrigue stems from a myriad of factors, ranging from the continent’s abundant natural resources to its strategic geopolitical positioning. However, amidst this renewed attention, questions arise regarding Africa’s agency and its place in the evolving global order.

In recent times, there has been a notable surge in global actors vying for influence in Africa. From former colonial powers to emerging economies like China and India, various stakeholders seek to engage African nations on multiple fronts, spanning from economic cooperation to security collaborations. Against this backdrop, it becomes imperative to delve into Africa’s international engagements to grasp the nuances of its evolving role on the global stage.

Addressing this imperative, the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies at the University of the Free State (UFS), in collaboration with the Centre for African Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in India and the African Studies Association of India (ASA India), convened an international webinar titled, Africa’s Global Engagements: Opportunities and Challenges. Held on 27 and 28 February 2024, the event was jointly opened by Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Internationalisation at the UFS and Prof Ajay Dubey, former Pro Vice-Chancellor at JNU and currently a professor in the Centre for Africa Studies at JNU. The conference brought together scholars and policymakers from diverse backgrounds and regions, united in their quest to comprehensively understand Africa’s evolving position in the global arena.

In his opening remarks, Prof Vasu Reddy, underscored the timeliness of the conference aligning it to the institution’s visionary framework, Vision 130. He highlighted the centering of Africa as a focal point for addressing broader global challenges emphasising the interconnectedness of Africa’s experiences with broader global narratives. Prof Reddy articulated how Africa serves as a nexus for transnational interactions, intertwining diverse histories, politics, and socio-economic dynamics with the larger global discourse.

Moreover, the conference shed light on the concept of the “Global South” and its implications in the contemporary global order. Participants deliberated on the complexities of African agency within this framework, examining how African states navigate their engagements with a myriad of international actors while asserting their own interests and priorities.

The event not only symbolised a collaboration between the UFS and JNU, as outlined in their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), but also signified a shared commitment towards prioritising engagements within the Global South. Through platforms like these, institutions like UFS and JNU demonstrate their dedication to fostering meaningful dialogues and scholarly exchanges that transcend geographical borders.

As Africa continues to navigate its place in the fast-changing global landscape, initiatives such as this webinar serve as critical platforms for fostering mutual understanding and cooperation among scholars and policymakers worldwide. By engaging in nuanced discussions and collaborative efforts, stakeholders can collectively contribute to shaping a more inclusive and equitable global order.

News Archive

‘Gaza doctor’ Izzeldin Abuelaish visits UFS
2011-10-12

 

Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish

Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish, Harvard graduate and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health, is a Palestinian doctor who became the centre of a media firestorm in January 2009 when three of his daughters were killed and members of his family injured in an attack on Gaza (see e.g. The New York Times:http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/world/middleeast/18doctor.html ). He is the author of the bestselling I shall not hate: a Gaza doctor’s journey on the road to peace and human dignity. Dr Abuelaish will present two public lectures on 17 and 18 October 2011. Dr Abuelaish was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010.

The 18 October lecture in the Faculty of Health Sciences is registered for 2 ethics ceu's on Level 2, reference number: MDB004/002/10/2011.

Date: 17 October
Time: 19h00-20h00
Venue: Education Faculty Auditorium (new building behind Sasol Library) 
Title: "I shall not hate": A Gaza Doctor's Transformational Journey of Loss, Love and Change

Date: 18 October
Time: 12h45 vir 13h00-14h00
Venue: Health Sciences Faculty Metro 3 (across Francois Retief Building)
 
Title: A healing bridge: A Gaza Doctor's Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity
 
For information: call the International Institute for Studies in Race, Reconciliation and Social Justice (401 9808) or Prof Jackie du Toit: dutoitjs@ufs.ac.za

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept