News & Events

This volume, edited by Prof. Jon Abbink, discusses the problems and challenges of environmental–ecological conditions in Africa, amidst the current craze of economic growth and ‘development’. Africa’s significant economic dynamics and growth trajectories are marked by neglect of the environment, reinforcing ecological crises. Unless environmental–ecological and population growth problems are addressed as an integral part of developmental strategies and growth models, the crises will accelerate and lead to huge costs in later years.

As part of the 2018 Nelson Mandela Day and Nelson Mandela’s centenary, the UMURAGE Foundation will present 'We Are The Legacy: Celebrating Nelson Mandela Centenary 2018' at the ASCL. The art exhibition will feature portraits of 100 African legacy makers who, in their own way, embody Nelson Mandela’s three key principles: to free yourself, free others and serve every day. The opening will take place on Mandela Day: Wednesday 18 July, at 16:00. 

This volume, edited by Prof. Mirjam de Bruijn, has appeared in French. The English version will follow later this year. Radicalisation has become a word depicting our world in negative colours. This book tries to understand what radicalisation means in the Sahel and in the Netherlands. Is it only negative? What diversity of social and political processes is behind this concept? Is there basically a desire for social change? 

In the presence of His Excellencies the Ambassadors of South Africa, Nigeria, Rwanda, Morocco, Algeria and Tunesia, the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) was celebrated on 1 June in Leiden. Prof. Tom Lodge (University of Limerick), biographer of Nelson Mandela, gave an insightful keynote speech about the leadership of "Madiba" by looking at pictures, some of which were of enduring importance in perpetuating Mandela’s moral stature. The event was co-organised with the South African Embassy and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. We look back on a truly festive afternoon!