Reflections on the Universities as Sites of Activism and Protection Symposium.
By Percy C. Mpindi, President Uganda Law Students Association, Activist, Makerere University (Uganda)
In a sometimes bone-chilling cold Cape Town, one finds great warmth in the simplest of moments. The morning that ushered in the 16th day of August presented one of these in the warm welcome remarks of Prof Matete Madiba, the DVC: Student Development and Support at the University of Western Cape (UWC) to the Universities as Sites of Activism and Protection Symposium. In a typically professorial style, she crisply noted the significance of the event. It is not often that academics, student leaders and activists meet for three consecutive days with the two of the latter parties not playing the full-time job of listening but in a dialogue of equals to share experiences and knowledge. A product of the concerted efforts of numerous key partners, the symposium stands out as one of the most impactful and memorable events I have attended thus far.
Universities, throughout history, have occupied a unique position and continue playing a critical role in the democratization process in different countries. Nonetheless, their role as sites of activism and protection remains contested and largely misunderstood. Spaces that foster conversations around the multiple and sometimes clashing values professed by universities are therefore long overdue. Organised under the auspices of the Politics and Urban Governance Research Group (PUG), Open Society Foundation, WHRD Initiative, and the UNESCO Chair in the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Expansion of Political Space—currently held by Professor Paul Gready of the University of York—the event was a timely intervention.
Reflecting on the Symposium
Reflecting upon my experience at the symposium, I would summarise it in two words; people and possibilities. I met and shared experiences with people who have journeyed extraordinary lives as academics, human rights defenders, youth leaders, and change-makers. From attendees who have dedicated their lives to creating more equitable cities; to young people making a difference in war-torn Cameroon; to civic leaders who have honed unimpeachable advocacy skills. Through these rich interactions, I was ushered into a world of possibilities. It soon became clear to me that researchers and community-based citizen organisations can have a mutually enriching relationship. With the constant shifts in activism, the concept of change and what it might mean for us is often as confusing as the oppressive structures that maintain the status quo. Through the shared experiences and insights that the symposium offered, this picture morphed with sudden clarity for me.
“The symposium highlighted the need to dismantle the universities’ position as another imposing power in the knowledge hierarchy, perpetuating its ‘ivory tower’ exclusionary status.”
A glaring deficiency in the plethora of research conducted by universities has often been the absence of connecting dots between the knowledge and its implementers. This frequently results in ‘community fatigue,’— a term introduced by one of the presenters to describe the community members’ impatience and resentment towards student researchers gathering data. This sentiment arises because the lack of observable changes in areas that have been extensively studied over the years makes them feel like ‘pawns’ in the researchers’ game and ambitions. The symposium highlighted the need to dismantle the universities’ position as another imposing power in the knowledge hierarchy, perpetuating its ‘ivory tower’ exclusionary status.
A highlight for me was also the session on Building an African Hub on Universities, political space and rights. Like all other group sessions the organisers wisely spread over the three days, it provided a more intimate platform for attendees to share ideas. The proposed hub, at least for me, is a beacon of hope to advocates for human rights in Africa—a journey that can be as risky as it is lonely. The move by PUG to enlist the ideas of the human rights defenders—the proverbial men in the arena—in conceptualizing and possibly operationalizing the platform warrants great praise too. It is a testament to the department’s professed aims of “Building a platform to expand opportunities for collaborative international research and publishing,” and “Linking citizen organisations and research.”.
The pursuit of ideals can sometimes be daunting for some. This often pushes people—especially young people— into widespread pessimism. The haunting and resounding question of “What can I do about this situation?” leads many to adjust rather than protest against oppressive systems. For marginalized communities, this can mean enduring untold oppression, and further exclusion. The symposium through people and possibilities presented me with a timely remedy to this pessimism.
For the recorded live stream see:
16 August 2023:
