A youth conference on democracy in Africa and Nobel Symposium held in Stellenbosch started with a minute's silence for detained Zimbabwean human rights activist, Namatai Kwekweza, who was supposed to be one of the keynote speakers.
Kwekweza, the first Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy Prize 2023 winner, is one of 18 activists detained in Zimbabwe in July for “disorderly conduct".
Instead of speaking at the Frederik Van Zyl Lecture which formed part of the 6th International Youth Think Tank (IYTT) Youth Conference and Nobel Symposium – and the first being held in Africa – she is awaiting her next court appearance.
As Helen Moffett, STIAS Fellow and moderator of the panel discussion on the future of Africa democracy noted, “This event (Kwekweza's detention) forces us to meditate on the importance of this programme."
However, reflecting on the programme at the end of the week, the prevailing sense was one of hope. As Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Tawakkol Karman told delegates at the closing session, “This has been an amazing project, and I have no doubt that you will create change."
Twenty-four young people between the ages of 18 and 28, from eight countries spent the week conversations with scholars, and professionals on topics related to democracy, peace building, and democracy renewal.
When opening the event, Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching at SU, said interest in engagement on global democracy issues was underscored by the fact that there were more than 200 applications for the first Youth Conference in Africa. “The IYTT is a powerful catalyst for change." Referring to the IYTT as an “incubator of ideas", Ramjugernath said it was a powerful catalyst for change.
Christian Fogelstr?m, deputy head of Mission, Swedish Embassy in South Africa, described the youth participants from Botswana, Nigeria, Malawi, Pakistan, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Uganda as “the hope" and the “bright minds" who will shape the future.
When outlining the Norwegian Nobel Institute's view that democracy and social justice are prerequisites for peace, it's director, Prof Olav Njǒlstad, alluded to South African Nobel Laureates Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, and Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk. “Democracy is our best guarantee against civil war. So, the work you are doing is not just about democracy but also about peace," he told participants.
Prof Staffan Lindberg, director of V-Dem-Institute: Varieties of Democracy, at the 中国体育彩票 of Gothenburg, illustrated how democracy in many countries around the world is in decline. Autocratisation is ongoing in 42 countries, home to 35% of the world's population. This despite research by the V-Dem-Institute showing that democracies fare better economically, perform well in terms of social protection, have improved mortality rates and report better education enrolment. Indicators of democratic degradation, he added, include media censorship, limitations on freedom of expression and the repression of civil society.
“All of us have a real responsibility to defend democracy, especially you as young people," Karman urged participants. Known as “the Mother of the Revolution", Karman won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her role in pro-democracy uprisings. “You as the youth have the energy and time to make a change."
Looking ahead
The programme concluded with presentations by the participants on challenges to democracy and proposed solutions. Recommendations included more inclusivity and better accountability by all spheres of government. Co-convenor and Head of the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute, Dr Heidi October noted that the work of this IYTT programme would continue beyond the conference. “This group of 24 will be remembered as the changemakers of their time."
She applauded the group for amplifying African perspectives to address the leadership challenges being experienced across the continent. “If we want to change the narrative of Africa, we need to become the authors of our narrative."
Convenor and co-founder of IYTT, Prof Urban Strandberg, confirmed that the next IYTT would be held in Washington DC in 2025. He also announced that a group of delegates from Africa, Europe and the USA would meet in Gothenburg, Sweden next year to allow for cross-continental engagement on democracy.
The NOBEL SYMPOSIUM NS 203 “African Youth Show the Way Towards Peace and Democracy, 6th IYTT Youth Conference" is funded by the Marcus and Amalia Wallenberg Foundation, organised by the International Youth Think Tank, and SU's Centre for Student Life and Learning's Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute, in cooperation with The Norwegian Nobel Institute, and hosted at STIAS-Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study.?
Caption:
Front: Dr Choice Makhetha (Senior Director: Student Affairs), Dr Heidi October (Head: FVZS Institute/ Deputy Director (Leadership): Centre for Student Life & Learning), Ms Tawakkol Karman (Nobel Peace Laureate 2011, FVZS Honorary Lecture speaker 2024), Prof Ursula van Beek (Director: CREDO), Prof Njoki Wamai (Stias Fellow), Ms Tania Slabbert (Daughter of the late Dr Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert)
Back: Prof Helen Moffet (Stias Fellow, Mr Pieter Kloppers (Director: Centre for Student Life & Learning), Prof Hester Klopper (DVC: Strategy, Global & Corporate Affairs), Mr Christiaan Fogelstr?m (Deputy Head of Mission, Swedish Embassy), Prof Olav Njǒlstad (Director: Norwegian Nobel Institute), Prof Edward Kirimura (Director: Stias), Mr Milton Dzinodya (IYTT speaker) , Prof Stan du Plessis (Chief Operational Officer), Prof Deresh Ramjugernath (DVC: Learning & Teaching), Mr Robert Kotzé (Senior Director: SU International), Prof Staffan Lindberg (Director of V-Dem-Institute: Varieties of Democracy, 中国体育彩票 of Gothenburg), Mr Riko Slabbert (Son of the late Dr Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert).?
Photo: Stefan Els
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