Events - Foundation Office South Africa
Online-Seminar
Wrecking Ball
Why Permanent Technological Unemployment, a Predictable Pandemic and Other Wicked Problems Will End South Africa’s Experiment in Inclusive Democracy
Wrecking Ball explores, in novel theoretical manner, a decalogue of wicked problems that could easily end contemporary civilization. Written in the vernacular of political economy, it demonstrates that without an inclusive centralized system of global political and economic institutions, the collective action required to solve these wicked problems falls beyond the remit of the world’s 200 still predominantly extractive and elitist polities. To prove its manifold theses, Wrecking Ball grounds its analysis in an extended study of contemporary South Africa and shows that this country’s elitist and extractive political and economic institutions not only make resolution of ongoing domestic crises unattainable, but make meaningful responses to wicked problems impossible.
Online-Seminar
‘What are the obligations of states and corporations to ensure access to a COVID-19 vaccine?
Vaccine access is a matter of life and death for many. For others it is a matter of their livelihoods.
A number of vaccines for COVID-19 have been developed in record time and the hope is that this will bring an end to the death, suffering, and disruption to ordinary life caused by the pandemic. Yet, currently, only a small number of countries from the Global North are being able to vaccinate at a rapid rate with access to COVID-19 vaccines having been conditioned by the ability to make large investments in the developments of the vaccine. The vaccines are being manufactured by large private companies, based almost exclusively in the Global North, who have become household names. Yet, their development involved not only private funding but also large amounts of public money and research. Moreover, some of the vaccines were tested on people living in countries in the Global South, including in South Africa. The patenting of the vaccines not only has allowed for the ability of companies to charge high prices but also restrictions on who may supply the vaccines which is partly responsible for current shortages.
Online-Seminar
Human Rights Law and Children's Right to Education
Can Human Rights Law Provide Guidance on Realising a Child's Right to Education in the Face of a Pandemic?
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, children’s access to education in the African context was already unequal. COVID-19 has exacerbated the situation with lockdowns, widespread school closures, the use of online learning in resource-poor contexts and limited tuition at schools when, and if, they resumed in-person teaching. Apart from these educational impacts, COVID-19 has also affected other rights of children: for instance, there have been increases in domestic violence, as well as an inability to access school meals that provided much-needed nutrition.
Online-Seminar
CANRAD/KAS-Youth and Democracy Series
Impact of Covid-19 on youth: Opportunities and Challenges
COVID-19 has a detrimental effect on the youths and this may prove to be one of its damaging legacies. In fact, the coronavirus crisis risks turning back the clock on years of progress made on young people’s well-being and has put their rights under serious pressure across the globe. Issues of access to education, domestic abuse, child labour and lack of decent work are some of the many challenges that many institutions are grappling with. While the universities, NGOs, as well as governments are turning their attention to these problems, young people also have a key role to play in finding solutions.
Online-Seminar
Poor Education, Poor Economy and Planning the Escape
The South African education system is in crisis. According to Statistics SA, half of all learners drop out of school before reaching matric.
The government fails learners in poor communities by failing to provide schools with adequate infrastructure and qualified teachers. Inequality in South Africa is further exacerbated by an education system that does not adequately prepare learners for the world of work. Learners from disadvantaged communities cannot compete with their peers from affluent communities.
Online-Seminar
The Midpoint Debate: Book Launch Brittle Democracies?
Comparing Politics in Anglophone Africa
Brittle Democracies? Comparing Politics in Anglophone Africa compares the democratic principles, presence and performance of ten former British Colonies across Sub-Saharan Africa. It aims to see what trends are present and what challenges this subset of African democracies face
Online-Seminar
South Africa as a strategic partner for Germany?
Perspectives of the German-South African Cooperation
Germany and South Africa cooperate on a bilateral and increasingly on a multilateral level. As currently holding the presidency of the EU and AU, the last few months both governments prepared the summit of the two regional organizations originally scheduled for autumn 2020. As non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council they have collaborated to assess and resolve conflict-ridden situations. Will South Africa continue to be an important partner for Germany in solving future challenges at the global and continental level and in strengthening multilateralism?
Online-Seminar
ONLINE SEMINAR: BLACK LIVES MATTER AND POLICE BRUTALITY: WHERE TO FROM HERE?
SAIFAC und Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Südafrika
Systemic racism and police brutality have been ongoing problems in the United States that have remained largely unaddressed despite greater attention to the issue in recent years. Since the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2013, demonstrations have highlighted the murder by police of black men across America, including Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner and Michael Brown. Police brutality connected to discriminatory attitudes are also problems outside of the United States. In South Africa, there is a long history of brutality by security forces. This has been heightened during the coronavirus lockdown with severe harassment experienced by non-South African residents (linked to high-levels of xenophobia) and incidents such as the murder of Collins Khoza.
Online-Seminar
The Inside Track: A Critical Conversation with Advocate Shamila Batohi
The Daily Maverick and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung,SA
The conversation will address the war on women, gender based violence and the NDPP's experience as a woman leader within the National Prosecuting Authority.
Online-Seminar
COVID-19 and Gender-Based Violence - What are the Obligations for Businesses and Universities?
SAIFAC (a Centre of the University of Johannesburg) and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung,SA
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought both a major health and economic crisis. In an attempt to curb the spread of the disease, many states implemented strict lockdown conditions, resulting in extreme social isolation for residents. Almost everyone across the country was forced to spend more time at home. In situations were there were difficult familial dynamics, conflict was exacerbated. The anxiety and stress of the lockdown also had an extremely negative impact on the mental health of individuals. All these factors worsened the risk of violence.
