Kabwila elected in executive of Africa’s scholary network CODESRIA
Malawi’s indefatigable fighter for academic freedom and democracy was elected to the Executive Committee of the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA).
The election of the new Executive Committee occurred on Friday, December 9, 2011 at the conclusion of CODESRIA’s weekl-long General Assembly in Rabat, Morocco.
CODESRIA is Africa’s leading scholarly network that brings together social science researchers across the continent and from the diaspora.
The General Assembly – held every three years – was attended by about 600 scholars. Among the leading scholars that attended included Samir Amin, the renowned Egyptian political economist, Mahmood Mamdani, the famous Ugandan political scientist, and Bachir Diagne the distinguished Senegalese philosopher.
Dr. Kabwila-Kapasula is one of two people elected to represent the Southern African region on the ten-member Executive Committee. The other is Dr. Puleng Lenka Bula who is Associate Professor of Ethics at the University of South Africa.
For the first time in its history, two women were elected President and Vice-President, respectively, of the Council.
The Executive Committee oversees the work of CODESRIA including the appointment of the Executive Secretary and setting policy.
Kabwila is the first Malawian to serve on the Executive Committee. Professor Thandika Mkandawire, the highly regarded Malawian economist, served as CODESRIA’s Executive Secretary from 1986-1996.
In its 38 years of existence, CODESRIA has played a critical role in the development of social science research and promoting academic freedom across the continent.
In 1990 it issued the Kampala Declaration on Academic Freedom and Social Responsibility, which was used to guide the struggles for academic freedom at the University of Malawi led by Dr. Kabwila-Kapasula.
