InCAfrica lecture - 21/09 & 28/09 (webinar)

As part of the InCA (InterCultural Approach) program by DG INTPA, a new webinar has been organized. The webinar comprises two 40-minute lectures, each followed by a 45-minute session for questions, discussions, and debates with the audience.

The first lecture 1, which took place today, delved into fundamental concepts related to the state, democracy, and participatory engagement, all of which have significantly influenced the academic and practical understanding of 'development' in African nations.

During this lecture, we explored the perspectives of influential thinkers such as Kwasi Wiredu, Peter Ekeh, Claude Ake, Ali Mazrui, and Richard Joseph, with a particular emphasis on insights from African political philosophy and intellectual history. These insights challenged prevailing notions of state and socio-political development's impact on the African continent.

A key point of discussion was the evolution of 'participatory democracy' in contrast to the prevailing conceptual approaches, often favoring formalized state practices and mechanisms, notably those centered around majority-based electoral processes. Furthermore, we examined the seminal works of Achille Mbembe and V.Y. Mudimbe, raising questions about the usefulness of categorizing developmental practices in African countries as a distinct entity, potentially isolating them from broader global perspectives while also isolating global understanding from these contexts.

We are excited to announce that Lecture 2 of our InCA (InterCultural Approach) program is scheduled for September 28th. This captivating session will focus on the theme of "Reframing Practice: An Illustrative Case from Nigeria Emphasizing Rule-based Approaches."

In this upcoming lecture, we will delve into a practical perspective, offering a real-world illustration that highlights the significance of rule-based approaches in the context of Nigeria. Through this case study, we will explore how adherence to rules and regulations can lead to innovative and sustainable solutions for complex challenges.

Join us on September 28th as we unravel the practical dimensions of intercultural communication and development in the Nigerian context. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into the rule-based strategies that can shape the future of development practices.

For register, feel free to reach INTPA D4 - INTPA-ICM-GUIDE@ec.europa.eu