Series of events to mark the fifth anniversary of the Africa Center for Transregional Research (ACT) at the University of Freiburg
Readings, panel discussions and an exhibition are on the program of the event series “Five Years - Five Perspectives” of the ACT in cooperation with numerous partners from May to July.
As a scientific institution of the University of Freiburg, the ACT aims to reduce global asymmetries in knowledge production, strengthen cooperation, networking and dialogue; it also serves as a competence center in the state of Baden-Württemberg for scientific and social exchange with Africa. The ABI and the ACT have a long-standing partnership. ABI Director Andreas Mehler is also Director of the ACT.
Founded in the context of the establishment of MIASA at the University of Ghana, the ACT is involved in various initiatives of the state of Baden-Württemberg, such as the Colonial Responsibility Initiative, the state partnership with Burundi and the University Network for Global Partnerships (GloPart).
To mark its fifth anniversary, the ACT is hosting a five-part series of events in cooperation with interesting partners from Freiburg: “Five years - five perspectives”:
Book Reading & Discussion with Mirrianne Mahn on her debut novel „Issa“
14.05.2025 - jos fritz Café - 7:30 pm
Weertje Willms (German Department, University of Freiburg) and students will be in conversation with the author Mirrianne Mahn about her book “Issa” at the jos fritz café. Mirrianne Mahn was born in Cameroon and lives in Frankfurt am Main, where she works as an activist, theatre maker, city councillor and diversity and anti-discrimination consultant. In her debut novel (Rowohlt, 2024), she interweaves the destinies of women from five generations, linked by colonial exploitation and trauma, but also by female self-empowerment and an unconditional will to live. The event language will be German, more information on ticket prices can be found on the ACT website.
Exhibition: The Currency Lab
From 16.05.2025 to 06.07.2025, vernissage on 15.05.2025 - Galerie für Gegenwartskunst, E-WERK Freiburg
THE CURRENCY LAB - tɛknoʊmædʒɪkɛs is a long-term artistic research project by the musician, artist and filmmaker Elom 20ce (Lomé/Togo) as well as the artists and filmmakers Musquiqui Chihying (Berlin/Taipei) and Gregor Kasper (Dresden/ Germany). With the participation of and in dialogue with artists, musicians and scientists from Africa, they examine the utopian potential of currencies and other value systems for an emancipatory future on the planet. The project includes an exhibition with artworks in various media such as film, music and installation as well as a workshop. The event language will be English.
Book reading & Discussion with Bartholomäus Grill: „Off to Europe. Migration - One of the Major Challenges of the 21st Century“
26.05.2025 - Katholische Akademie der Erzdiözese Freiburg - 7:30 pm
In his 2021 book “Africa! A look back at the future of a continent”, Bartholomäus Grill combines a look back at his long career as a reporter with highlights of current developments on the African continent. Grill highlights challenges such as climate change, poverty, war, migration and terrorism that affect some African countries.
The reading will focus on the topic of migration to Europe. In the second part of the event, the author will discuss with Franzisca Zanker (Head of the “Patterns of (Forced) Migration” research cluster at the Arnold Bergstraesser Institute (ABI) at the University of Freiburg), Daniela Evers MdL (GRÜNE), Laura Lambert (Leuphana University, Lüneburg) and Yahya Sonko (Gambia European Center for Jobs Migration and Development Agency, Stuttgart). Topics include initial conditions in countries of origin and transit as well as prospects for return and integration. The event language will be German.
The Rule of Law and the „Many Democracies“ – Freiburg Africa Talk
16.06.2025 - HS 1199, KG I - 8 pm
Recent reconfigurations of politics in some parts of the world—brought about by elections—attest both to what is desirable and undesirable about democracy. Democracy is commonly valued for furthering freedom and equality. However, at the same time, it is susceptible to demagoguery. What is it that distinguishes the different forms of democracy or democratic practices (the many democracies) as truly democratic? How do we draw a line between regimes that are actually democratic and those that are not; that call themselves democracies but are in fact autocracies or totalitarian systems?
Edwin Etieyibo is Professor of Philosophy at the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), and Adjunct Professor at the University of Alberta (Canada). He specializes in several areas in philosophy including African philosophy, critical thinking/elementary logic, decolonization, ethics, history of philosophy, intercultural philosophy, philosophy for (and with) children, philosophies of disability and law, social and political philosophy, and social contract theories. The event language will be English.
Lecture "Colonial Violence and Postcolonial Identity: In Search of Self-Determination in West Africa“
08.07.2025 - HS 1228, KG I - 8 pm
The effects of German colonialism - exploitation, forced labor, deportations, repression, destruction of traditional order - can still be traced in West Africa today. The inadequacies of African elites in leading their populations out of manifest identity and development crises are closely linked to this painful history. Postcolonial identity is central to the search for emancipation and appropriate development strategies - and this remains shaped by colonial experience. The lecture by Dr. Kokou Azamede will outline the socio-cultural changes in the formerly colonized societies and explain how an honest debate on colonial injustice can enable West African societies to reconcile with their fractured identity and achieve self-determination. The event language will be German.
More information on all events regarding registration and tickets can be found on the ACT website.