Long Abstract:

Globally, there is much debate about the rapid demographic developments in Africa (population growth, urbanization, youth bulge, migration), the growing demand for food, and the scenarios of African food production (Africa’s own green revolution?) also connected to scenarios of climate change. What are the debates about these linkages in Africa itself, both in academic circles, in think tanks and in public agencies? Are demographic and climate change developments seen as a threat for food security or as opportunities? What opinions exist about the ‘order of priorities’: agriculture first, or mining and industry first? Is Africa seen as ‘different’ from (historical) trends in other parts of the world?

[coordination: CRC Future Rural Africa (University of Bonn and University of Cologne), together with the ASCL (and partners like NIDI, Rutgers, Wageningen University, Foodlog, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), University of Nairobi (IDS), and the University of Namibia].

Accepted papers:

Session 1

Preparing for the next emergency: the politics of anticipation and collaboration in Malawi  

Tanja Hendriks (KU Leuven)

Paper short abstract:

Malawi is an aid-dependent country that is heavily impacted by climate change and climate change-induced disasters. In this paper I argue that preparing for the next emergency should start by critically examining the power relations that shape disaster relief interventions and anticipatory action.

The future of digital technologies in strengthening teaching, research and innovation capacities of African universities in the globalized and North-South collaboration context  

Erick Gankam Tambo (Pan African University)

Environmental law has secured its place in Africa  

Charles Okidi (University Of Nairobi)

Paper Download (420 KB)

Knowledge Sites and Configurations in Africa: Implications for Future Public University-Based Development Policy Knowing  

Njuguna Ng'ethe (University of Nairobi) Samuel Kiiru (University of Nairobi Central European University)

Paper short abstract:

Public universities are no longer sole champions of knowing. The paper examines other key players and what makes them succeed in the policy-making process. The paper makes a number of suggestions to improve the standing of public universities as one site of public sources of knowing.

Paper Download (296 KB)