Walk-to-Work to be discussed in Oslo
By Online Team
15th Oct 2012:
The year 2011 saw dramatic changes in Africa’s governance landscape. Unprecedented popular demonstrations in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya led to the overturning of a century of autocratic rule in North Africa.
These protests, demanding greater political freedom, economic opportunity, and an end to systemic corruption, have resonated deeply across Africa, sparking calls for change throughout the continent.
A question often asked since the launch of the Arab Spring in January 2011 is what effect these popular protests will have on democracy in the rest of Africa.
Frequently overlooked in this discussion is that sub-Saharan Africa has been experiencing its own democratic surge during this time with important advances in Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, and the “Walk-to-Work” protests in Uganda.
Recognizing these complex and still fluid crosscurrents, the Africa Centre for Information & Development (ACID) will provide a platform and facilitate dialogue to analyze the linkages between the Arab Spring and African democracy — with an eye on the implications for governance norms on the continent over the next several years. The topics for discussion at the Oslo conference include:
The Arab Spring: Experiences from Tahrir Square (Egypt);
Women’s voices on the Arab Spring: How to enhance women’s emancipation and empowerment in Africa;
The role of the mass media and civil society organizations in enhancing democratic change;
The ‘Walk to Work & the Arab Spring: Civic protests in Uganda;
The Occupy Wall Street movement and the Arab Spring: An alternative to Capitalism?
Keynote Speakers Include:
Professor Abdoulaye Bathily Senegalese Politician and the Secretary- General of the Democratic League/Movement for the Labour Party (LD/MPT)
Mr. Sam Akaki Founder and executive Director of the Democratic Institutions for Poverty Reduction in Africa
(DIPRA) & International Envoy representing Uganda’s main opposition FDC party in the UK and European Union
Ms. Rainatou Sow Founder & Executive Director of Make Every Woman Count (MEWC), UK
Mr. Hisham Fouad Leader, Revolutionary Socialists of Egypt
Mr. Peter Hudis Lecturer, Oakton Community College, USA
The conference takes place on Friday 19th October, 2012 at P-Hotels, Grensen 19, Oslo from 10am to 5pm. END. Login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories mid-week for our updates
Follow us: Twitter: @UGCorrespondent
Follow us: Facebook: Uganda Correspondent
