The organising partners of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the 6th edition of the conference slated for October 17 and 18, 2023 at Makerere University.
The MoU signing ceremony was held in the Rotary Peace Centre Board Room, Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University on Monday, September 11, 2023.
The organising partners include; the Embassy of France to Uganda, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Makerere University (Mak), UN Women, Alliance Française Kampala and the Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques (IRIS).
Speaking at the ceremony attended by the French Ambassador to Uganda and the Executive Heads of the Partner Organisations, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, said the 6th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference has become a major highlight of events hosted by the institution during the last quarter of the calendar year.
He said this year’s edition will bring on board researchers and academia at the national and international levels, professionals in different spheres of life, diplomatic missions, the government, the private sector, civil organisations, the media, staff, alumni and students.
“I re-affirm the commitment of Makerere University to host and participate in this discourse that presents an opportunity to researchers, scholars, staff and students to share ideas through intellectual debates,” said Prof. Nawangwe.
He added: “The topical issues to be discussed will equip our students and youth who end up taking on various leadership positions in the country with knowledge and a balanced perception and appreciation of national and global affairs.”
In his remarks, the French Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Xavier Sticker, said the conference will bring together scientists and activists as well as help researchers and students in Uganda and East Africa to interface.
According to him, this is an opportunity to debate, stimulate ideas and bring about solutions to the various challenges facing the East African region.
“I believe the Kampala Geopolitics Conference has found its place on the Ugandan and East African stage,” said Ambassador Sticker.
On his part, Nils Wörmer, the Director of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s (KAS) Regional Programme Security Dialogue for East Africa, the conference will stimulate exchange between local and regional actors and the interested public with experts from East Africa and Europe.
He said the conference is important because the East African region has become a theatre for great power conflicts and international power projection and influence.
“As the western coast of the so-called Indo-Pacific theatre, East Africa plays an important role in the main unfolding geopolitical conflict of the 21st century, namely between China and the U.S.,” remarked Nils.
He said the “Red Sea Security Arena” will become one of the topics to be discussed at the conference. Others include; The New Scramble for Africa – Emerging Geopolitics and International Relations in Africa; Rapid Population Growth and Implication for the Growth and Stability of Africa; Closing the Global Digital Divide: Advancing Digital Inclusion and Economic Opportunities for All; Gender and Climate Security: Implications for Women’s Rights and Security; Empowering Youth for Effective Leadership and Participation in African politics and development: Opportunities and Challenges; The refugee crisis in Africa; Water governance – the transboundary water peace and democracy; Cultural and creative industry as an influential tool for East African Countries; The African Union Mission in Somalia; The effectiveness of the East African Community Regional force as security provider, the case of Congo.
Dr. Paulina Chiwangu, UN Women’s Country Representative, said localisation is increasingly important in the policy and development space.
“Too often we are seeing decisions or solutions formed detached from lived experiences, and this creates a mismatch in results,” she noted.
She said as UN Women, elevating the voice and participation of women and girls is a fundamental cross-cutting outcome of Strategic Plan globally and Strategic Note 2022-2025 for Uganda.
She added: “For us, Kampala Geopolitics is an excellent platform to bring these diverse voices and networks together to foster a culture of academic excellence, critical thinking, and inclusive policy-making from the bottom up.”
The Kampala Geopolitics Conference is a two-day academic public event discussing current geopolitical questions and trends. It is inspired by the flagship event of the “Geopolitics of Nantes” in France.