Latest News Archive
Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
24 July 2024
|
Story Lacea Loader
![]()
The University of the Free State (UFS) is co-hosting the Global Social Innovation Indaba together with Social Innovation Exchange (SIX) on its Bloemfontein Campus from 30 September to 2 October 2024. This event brings together people from different sectors all over the world to discuss how to accelerate and support people-powered
change and create a better society for generations to come.
The UFS is excited to collaborate with SIX, as its vision and values overlap. During this three-day indaba, aspects such as – what it takes to build accountable, inclusive, and participatory institutions, specifically the future role of universities in South Africa – will be discussed. Themes to be explored include young people as drivers of change, post-industrial transitions and community resilience, the role of art, social change and bridging divides, and systemic approaches to dealing with unemployment.
Some of the speakers and participants in the programme include Carla Duprat from ICE (Brazil); Cheryl Jacob from ESquared Investments (South Africa); François Bonnici from the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship (Switzerland); Sir Geoff Mulgan from the University College London (UCL) in the United Kingdom; and Dr Narissa Ramdhani from the Ifa Lethu Foundation (South Africa).
The UFS will also use the opportunity to showcase its campus and offerings to attendees, focusing on its transformation story and some of the interdisciplinary forward-thinking programmes. Guests will also be treated to true South African hospitality, laying the foundation for strong relationships and collaboration.
SIX believes in the transformative power of people working together. Exchanges based on mutual value and reciprocity are the missing link in tackling the world’s problems. As a friendly, expert entry point to global social innovation, their work connects organisations, sectors, communities, and nations to build capabilities and create opportunities for collaboration.
Workshop looks at new communities in the Free State and Gauteng
2013-11-08
 |
At the PARI workshop were, from the left: Laura Phillips, researcher at PARI, Prof Ivor Chipkin, CEO of PARI, Prof Corli Witthuhn, Vice-Rector: Research and Dr Tania Coetzee, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Studies and Governance.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse
08 November 2013 |
The university, in cooperation with the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI), recently presented a workshop on new communities in the Free State and Gauteng. A variety of subjects, which explored the anthropology, sociology and history of the two provinces, were debated at the workshop. Discussions were held on the challenges faced by new communities, with the socio-economic and religious aspects of new communities coming under scrutiny. Environmental issues and responsibilities also came under fire and speakers agreed that individuals need to get involved in the community and that they should do something to address the housing and food shortage in South Africa.