Articles · Vol. 16 No. 2 (2012): African Sociological Review · Pages 2-21

Community Sites of Knowledge: Knowledge Creation and Application for Sustainable Peace in Africa

  • Andreas Velthuizen
    Andreas Velthuizen institute for Dispute Resolution in Africa (iDRA) University of South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0601-0288 (unauthenticated)
    Andreas Velthuizen is a full professor in the newly formed Thabo Mbeki African School for Public- and International Affairs (TM-School) at the University of South Africa (Unisa), specializing in the field of African conflict studies including peace and security. His primary...
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Vol. 16 · 2012 No. 2 African Sociological Review ASR

Abstract

In this article the question is asked: What is relationship between knowledge creation and sustainable peace in Africa? The specific aim of this article is to identify specific principles of knowledge creation and sustainable peace that can serve as propositions for further research.
The knowledge foundation of this discussion is a literature study, interpretative interaction and participation in focus-groups during field research in collaboration with the Community Sites of Knowledge (CSoK) and the Marcus Garvey Pan African Institute near and in Mbale, Eastern Uganda. It is that knowledge systems are converging towards a glocality of awareness and action. This convergence facilitates the complementarity of endogenous and modern institutions and the inclusive participation of the community as a building block for sustainable peace, transformation and progress. The finding is that relationship of knowledge creation and sustainable peace in Africa is characterized by glocal interconnectedness, the converging of knowledge and central value adding. Some important recommendations are offered to communities, conflict and dispute resolution practitioners, African Universities and state structures concerning the application of endogenous knowledge for sustainable peace.

Keywords

Community Knowledge Sustainable Peace Africa

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Author Biography

  • Andreas Velthuizen, institute for Dispute Resolution in Africa (iDRA) University of South Africa

    Andreas Velthuizen is a full professor in the newly formed Thabo Mbeki African School for Public- and International Affairs (TM-School) at the University of South Africa (Unisa), specializing in the field of African conflict studies including peace and security.
    His primary academic interest is to teach and develop new theories for conflict resolution, peace, and security in Africa, informed by the African way of knowing (epistemology), following a trans-disciplinary approach. As a National Research Foundation (NRF) rated researcher (C2), his preferred research approach is to develop community sites of knowledge by means of community-engaged participatory research together with social communities and communities of practice.
    He further shares his research through the supervision of post-graduate students, as Editor-in-Chief of the reputable African Security Review (ASR), and lecturing at public service institutions in South Africa and abroad. Prof Velthuizen was also involved in the training of election officials on the Management of Democratic Elections in Africa (MDEA) program, teaches the module on Decision-making for Conflict Resolution in Africa as part of the Thought Leadership Program at the TM-School and manage the development of short learning programs.
    His qualifications include a D Litt et Phil degree in Politics from Unisa for a dissertation with the title “The Management of Knowledge: A Model for the African Renaissance” as well as an MA Degree in Strategic Studies and BA Degree in International Politics. He published extensively and presented his work at academic conferences and workshops on most continents of the world and is part of several international collaborations.
    He is Paul Harris Fellow (Saphire) of Rotary International and an active member of Rotary appropriately focusing on the Rotary focus area of Peace and Conflict Resolution as part of his research and social responsibility/academic citizenship network.

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