13th African Regional Meeting

17 August 2023, online, hosted by RCE KwaZulu-Natal, RCE Makana and Rural Eastern Cape, RCE Lesotho, and RCE Eswatini

(Photo credit: Chris Galliers)

The 13th African Regional Meeting was held online on 17 August 2023, jointly hosted by RCE KwaZulu-Natal, RCE Makana and Rural Eastern Cape, RCE Lesotho, and RCE Eswatini under the theme 'Fostering Pan-African Collaboration for Just Futures'.

As climate change worsens, humanity must seek to transition to more just and sustainable ways of living. In Africa, where humanity had its origins, the culturally tamed agro-ecological landscapes supported life in remarkable ways, and these can provide inspiring insights that are relevant today. One should not romanticise the past, however. Famine, disease and weather decimated populations - nonetheless, ways of living were developed that were remarkably sustainable without using fossil fuels.

Today, humanity is struggling to find ways of living that are not dependent on fossil fuels. The cultural landscapes of Africa and indigenous practices of those times hold many keys to sustainable living. Citizens and scientists are seeking the wisdom of the past so that it may be linked to the wisdom of the present with the goal of the more sustainable futures we so urgently need.

The 13th African Regional Meeting focused on a 'Just Transition'. The themes included Water, Indigenous Heritage, Citizen Science and Handprint CARE. Handprint CARE is about learning to look after others, to best care for each other and to explore change projects to improve the surroundings that we all share. The quest is to enable the just transitions the world so urgently needs.

A recap of the meeting is available here.

The Global RCE Service Centre would like to thank the teams at RCE KwaZulu-Natal, RCE Makana and Rural Eastern Cape, RCE Lesotho, and RCE Eswatini for their wonderful contributions and efforts organising a successful 13th African Regional Meeting, and to all participants for their active participation and contributions.

DETAILS

Date/Time: 17 August 2023, 11:00-13:30 (SAST)

Location: Online

Programme: Final programme

Video: A recording of the meeting is available to view here.