A wave of youth and student-led protests have swept across the African continent the last year; from Kenya, Uganda and Mozambique to Senegal, Togo and Comoros. At the same time, the state of civic space is deteriorating globally and the same is true for many African countries. Student activists and other human rights defenders who try to hold their governments accountable and demand that human rights are respected, face huge risks. In many African countries we are also seeing a proliferation of restrictive legislation used to stifle fundamental freedoms.
This trend is not something new. Students have always been one of the first to take to the streets when justice, equality and human rights are on the line. In response, students and academia are common targets for authoritarian leaders. According to SAIHs Activism under Attack 2024, student activists across the globe see delegitimization, social pressure and university lawfare as the biggest barriers to doing activism, in addition to more brutal forms of repression.
So what does student activism on the African continent look like? What types of repression are young human rights defenders facing? Why are we seeing so many protests in African countries now? Some are predicting an "African spring" with protests spilling over to neighboring countries. Is this likely? What are African activists risking while trying to better the situation in their countries? How is civil society pushing back against autocratic regimes and can activists in different countries learn from each other? Which role can Norwegian civil society and the government play? And what is the way forward?
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A wave of youth and student-led protests have swept across the African continent the last year; from Kenya, Uganda and Mozambique to Senegal, Togo and Comoros. At the same time, the state of civic space is deteriorating globally and the same is true for many African countries. Student activists and other human rights defenders who try to hold their governments accountable and demand that human rights are respected, face huge risks. In many African countries we are also seeing a proliferation of restrictive legislation used to stifle fundamental freedoms.
This trend is not something new. Students have always been one of the first to take to the streets when justice, equality and human rights are on the line. In response, students and academia are common targets for authoritarian leaders. According to SAIHs Activism under Attack 2024, student activists across the globe see delegitimization, social pressure and university lawfare as the biggest barriers to doing activism, in addition to more brutal forms of repression.
So what does student activism on the African continent look like? What types of repression are young human rights defenders facing? Why are we seeing so many protests in African countries now? Some are predicting an "African spring" with protests spilling over to neighboring countries. Is this likely? What are African activists risking while trying to better the situation in their countries? How is civil society pushing back against autocratic regimes and can activists in different countries learn from each other? Which role can Norwegian civil society and the government play? And what is the way forward?
Afrika Nå: Unpacking Climate Equity - the case of land conservation and carbon credits
Afrika Nå
1 hour 17 minutes 43 seconds
1 year ago
Afrika Nå: Unpacking Climate Equity - the case of land conservation and carbon credits
Join us for a discussion on Africa’s critical role in the fight against climate change!
Although Africa is not a driver of the climate crisis, it bears a huge burden of the consequences. Simultaneously, Africa's wealth of natural resources, expansive forests, and abundant renewable energy potential, position Africa as a vital player in the fight against climate change.
New strategies to achieve “net zero” emissions are emerging rapidly. Many of these strategies involve compensating for emissions through various carbon offset schemes, often implemented in “the global South” by “the West.” However, these projects have raised concerns about land grabbing, damage, and displacement of local communities. Africa now stands at the forefront of this movement.
This seminar will build on two case studies from South-Eastern Africa and Western Sahara to demonstrate practices in land conservation and renewable energy projects. These cases will help unpack key equity issues within the political economy of climate change.
Following the case presentations, a panel discussion will provide insights into carbon markets and credit schemes, highlighting relevant green investments and initiatives in Africa, and how Norway plays a role in global climate finance and renewable energy initiatives. The discussion will explore both the opportunities and challenges these movements present for the continent.
Are carbon schemes viable policies toward achieving “net zero”? Or a new form of colonialism? What specific opportunities do carbon markets offer Africa in the fight against climate change?
With Ian Bryceson, Professor in International Environment and Development Studies, Noragric (NMBU), Erik Hagen, Director of The Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara, Girum Zeleke, Associate Professor in Civics at VID Specialized University and Asbjørn Torvanger from CICERO. Moderated by Erika Wie Dia from the Norwegian Council for Africa.
Afrika Nå
A wave of youth and student-led protests have swept across the African continent the last year; from Kenya, Uganda and Mozambique to Senegal, Togo and Comoros. At the same time, the state of civic space is deteriorating globally and the same is true for many African countries. Student activists and other human rights defenders who try to hold their governments accountable and demand that human rights are respected, face huge risks. In many African countries we are also seeing a proliferation of restrictive legislation used to stifle fundamental freedoms.
This trend is not something new. Students have always been one of the first to take to the streets when justice, equality and human rights are on the line. In response, students and academia are common targets for authoritarian leaders. According to SAIHs Activism under Attack 2024, student activists across the globe see delegitimization, social pressure and university lawfare as the biggest barriers to doing activism, in addition to more brutal forms of repression.
So what does student activism on the African continent look like? What types of repression are young human rights defenders facing? Why are we seeing so many protests in African countries now? Some are predicting an "African spring" with protests spilling over to neighboring countries. Is this likely? What are African activists risking while trying to better the situation in their countries? How is civil society pushing back against autocratic regimes and can activists in different countries learn from each other? Which role can Norwegian civil society and the government play? And what is the way forward?
