A Round-Table Discussion on Sustainability Science and the Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre (FEAHLC) in and for Africa

Threats to the earth’s future sustainability require address from everyone. These threats are multidimensional, and mostly come from social and economic use and misuse of the environment as well as its political (mis)management. Africa is most vulnerable to these partly because of its heavy reliance on primary economic sectors, like agriculture, and mostly missing accountable political systems and social institutions. Proposed mitigations, from green technologies to other adaptation efforts, have been very slow to implement. Therefore, a sense of agency and strong leadership are required from stakeholders. To build this collective leadership we need all types of scientific discussions to take place, continuously. For this purpose, the Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre (FEAHLC) at Rhodes University and the University of Pretoria invites you to a round-table discussion aimed at exploring innovative ways to build, promote and lead Sustainability Science Research and Practice (SSR&P) in Africa. The round-table discussion will present and share information and ideas on the Centre and the Sustainability Science Research Clusters, which are being developed to leading voices of African scientific responses at a global level:

 

Short welcome: Dr Nomakwezi Mzilikazi (RU, DVC for Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships)  

What are Future Earth and Global Research Hubs? Dr Daniel Nyanganyura (FEAHLC Deputy Director at UP, Future Africa), Mr M. Nxumalo (National Research Foundation) and Dr Faten Attig-Bahar (FEAHLC support and ISER’s visiting fellow from Tunisia)

What is the nature of the FEAHLC at Rhodes and UP? Prof. C.N. Mbatha (RU, ISER Director and FEAHLC Acting Director) 

What is Sustainability Science and Practice globally and what can it look and feel like in Africa? Distinguished Professor Heila Lotz-Sisitka (NRF SARCHI Chair, ELRC)

How can we support and conduct Sustainability Science in Africa? Dr Chika Nnadozie (RU, IWR) 

And how do we do this through Science Cluster networks? Some examples from the RU Team (ELRC, IWR, ISER)

Discussion on ways for promoting Sustainability Science and Practice in Africa: Rhodes University Community 

Thanks: Rhodes University