Innovation in conducting writing retreats for academic staff in higher education

How do researchers and administrators in higher education plan and carry out writing retreats for academic staff? This paper presents a distinctive approach to developing creative writing retreats for academic staff in higher education. We distill lessons from our June 2016 writing retreat, which drew participants from the University of Venda and the University of Limpopo. Responding to the South African Journal of Higher Education’s invitation to “re-imagine” writing retreats, we specify the shortcomings of linear writing retreats and discuss how to enhance collaboration, participation, and leadership capacity in planning and carrying out writing retreats. We also focus on an oft-neglected yet crucial feature of retreats, follow-up. As we show, our approach offers general insights for creative designing and implementing writing retreats.

Norm revisionists, not norm breakers: the emerging multipolar landscape of peace operations

Policy Brief no. 120, FebruaryIn the past two decades, the ability of African countries to contribute assets to peace operations has increased to a remarkable degree. Undeniably, this surge is contributing in sum to stabilising different conflict areas and demonstrates the willingness and ability to take on peace enforcement mandates. Using selected field missions in Africa which manifest collective efforts in several conflict and post-conflict situations, this paper considers the changing nature of peace operations in the context of contemporary dynamics in power capabilities. What is the motivation for African countries to contribute troops to current peace operations? What form will future missions take? And how will regional and global structures pool resources for crisis situations

Disrupting the interruptions: re-considering Ubuntu, reconciliation and rehumanization

Human beings are potentially active, conscious agents capable of knowing and transforming their worlds. Although the end of colonialism and apartheid can be celebrated for reaching 'new' vertical state-society relationships and social contracts that created states and governments including political procedures and frameworks for power and enacted laws and their enforcement, the importance of horizontal society relationships that create community, coexistence and how people live together despite their differences has been overlooked. There is a disjuncture in the character of moral commitments and shared values of the ideals that inspire people to work together for the sake of common good and enduring cultural peace. Indeed, contemporary challenges raise serious questions about the capability of extant practices to provide for population groups to confront their social futures positively. How can we better prepare population groups for a rapidly changing and globalising world? How can we better invest extensively in re-imagining and re-inventing human values for peaceful relationships? The Agenda 2063 represents a collective effort and an opportunity for Africa to regain its power to determine its own destiny. It is an aspiration and call for action and strategic framework underpinned by the African Union dream to build an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa; an Africa driven and managed by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena. However, there are still societal changes that must take place to overcome the disruption that occurred in many African nations.

Disrupting cycles of violence in Africa: unlocking complex dimensions of human security

AISA Policy Brief, no. 124, OctoberDisrupting the matrix of domination that feeds systemic inequality and poverty in violence ridden societies unlocks complex dimensions of human security. Self-reproducing cycles of chronic violence, driven by a multifaceted combination of structural and interpersonal factors, undermine any efforts to achieve such security. This policy brief discusses a range of negotiation processes that can mobilise communities to engage in social actions that supply in their own security and peace-making needs. The discussion generates crucial insights and knowledge that may inform and strengthen community-based 'whole-of-society' strategies for the prevention of violence and its gendered dynamics