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24 July 2024
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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.
UFS an institution of choice for the most gifted academics
2013-12-05
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| Prof Rob Gordon |
Two lecturers at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Department of Anthropology proved once again that the UFS is indeed an institution of choice for some of the most talented and gifted academics in the country.
Prof Rob Gordon was co-author of the book “Recreating first contact,” which explores how adventure travel, which emerged during the early twentieth century, influenced popular views of anthropology.
It was in this period that new transport and recording technologies, particularly the airplane and automobile and small, portable, still and motion-picture cameras, were used in various expeditions to document the last untouched places of the globe and bring them home to eager audiences.
These expeditions were frequently presented as first contact encounters and enchanted popular imagination. The book further explores the effects – both positive and negative – of such expeditions on the discipline of anthropology itself.
Dr Riana Steyn was co-author of the first Afrikaans play by Athol Fugard, “Die Laaste Karretjiegraf.”
The play focuses on the Karretjie people, itinerant sheepshearers in the Karoo who are direct descendants of South Africa’s first inhabitants. Doing research on the Karretjie people, he came across a master’s thesis in Anthropology by Dr Steyn, who gave him access to her work and eventually co-wrote the play with him.