Rethinking Academic Freedom in East African Universities

The Network for Education and Academic Rights (NEAR) and Scholars at Risk (SAR) in partnership with Forum for Social Studies (FSS), Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA), and the British Council (Ethiopia Office) have organized a conference on ‘Rethinking Academic Freedom in East African Universities' which has taken place from 21st to 23rd October 2008 at the Ghion Hotel, Addis Ababa.

The event has brought together leading higher education officials, scholars and professionals to rethink issues of university development and academic freedom. Previous such events have been held in Amman (Jordan), St. Petersburg (Russia), and Vilnius (Lithuania). Read FSS Update for more info

Good Governance and Democracy in Africa

With a view to fostering a critical debate around governance and development in Africa, the Forum for Social Studies in collaboration with Heinrich Boell Foundation have recently launched a series of lectures entitled "Good Governance and Democracy in Africa". The public lecture series has been going on every month since June 2007.

On Friday 15 August 2008, at Addis Ababa Ghion Hotel, Dr. Akwasi Aidoo , currently Executive Director of TrustAfrica, an African foundation based in Dakar gave a lecture on “Identity and Citizenship in Africa : Negotiating the boundaries that divide and unite us.” He addressed on the conceptual relationship between identity and citizenship and the reality of the relationship across Africa , review some state-led initiatives in a number of countries to address contradictions around identity and citizenship, and discuss some strategies worth considering.

Dr. Akwasi Aidoo was educated in Ghana and the United States and received a PhD. in sociology from the University of Connecticut in 1984. His positions have included IDRC Program Officer for Health and Development in West and Central Africa and head of the Ford Foundation's offices in Senegal and Nigeria from 1993 to 2001. He serves as a director on boards of several non-profit organizations, including Oxfam America , the Soros Foundation's AfriMAP initiative, and the Global Network Committee of the Ash Institute at Harvard University . He also chairs the Executive Committee of the Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group. Dr. Aidoo has taught at universities in Ghana , Tanzania , and the United States . He writes poetry and short stories in his spare time.

TrustAfrica is dedicated to the promotion of peace, economic prosperity, and social justice throughout the continent. It hosts dialogues , makes grants , and provides technical assistance so that African institutions can work together to develop appropriate and lasting solutions to the continent's most pressing challenges.

From Poverty to Development: Intergenerational Transfer of Knowledge

The Last Lecture in the Intergenerational Transfer of Knowledge (2006-2008)

The Forum for Social Studies held a series of lectures every two months since the beginning of 2005. These have been focusing on the policies formulated and endeavours undertaken during the period of the Imperial Regime in order to overcome poverty and to bring about sustainable development. The speakers were persons who had occupied important positions in government or in the private sector. The lectures and the publications that ensued have been deemed very fruitful. The last speaker was Dejazmach Wolde Sema'et Gebre Wold. His title was on “ Reforming Provincial (Awraja) Administration (1963-1972 GC): Reminiscences ”. He has served as administrator on key government positions during the Imperial Regime. The lecture had taken place at the Ghion Hotel, Awash Hall, on 18 July 2008 at 6:00 pm. Read FSS Update for the news