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- Convenor:
-
Alice Karuri
(Strathmore University)
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- Chair:
-
Kamau Wairuri
(Edinburgh Napier University)
- Format:
- Paper panel
- Stream:
- Youth movements, education and urban informality
Short Abstract:
This panel seeks papers exploring the intersection of youth, digital technology, and protest movements in Africa, focusing on issues such as the historical roots of youth-led protests, the impact of digital media, and state responses. Both academic and experiential papers are welcome.
Long Abstract:
In recent decades, the African continent has witnessed a surge of youth-led protest movements that have garnered global attention and catalysed significant economic, social and political transformation.
From the Arab Spring uprisings in North Africa, to #FeesMustFall movement in South Africa, the #ENDSARS protests in Nigeria and the GenZ protests in Kenya, young Africans have emerged as formidable agents of social and political change using their voice, energy and digital proficiency. Burkina Faso, Guinea, Senegal, Sudan, Burundi and DRC have also experienced waves of youth protests (Maganga, T., 2020).
These protests have emerged as a potent force for change, often fueled by an interplay of factors such as economic disparities, political disenfranchisement and social upheaval.
The proliferation of digital technologies and social media has enabled young Africans to amplify their voices, coordinate their actions, and mobilize support for their causes.
This panel invites papers that interrogate the intersection between youth, digital technology and protests movements. Particular areas of interest are: the historical underpinnings of youth-driven protests and unrest in Africa including colonization and global environmentalism; the role of digital media in fueling protests; how protest movements have changed traditional media; data and digital rights in the context of protests including digital surveillance and data privacy; and state response to protests.
Submissions are open to both academic and experiential papers.
Maganga, Tafadzwa. August 20, 2020. Youth Demonstrations and Their Impact on Political Change and Development in Africa. ACCORD. https://www.accord.org.za/conflict-trends/youth-demonstrations-and-their-impact-on-political-change-and-development-in-africa/
This Panel has so far received 5 paper proposal(s).
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