Panel 32: Initiatives of the Voiceless in Social Change
Panel organiser: Danielle Jonckers (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France)
Contact: danielle.jonckers@orange.fr
| Political and economic changes are usually analysed in terms of development or crises according to western viewpoints, without reference to the way Africans deal with these questions. The panel will highlight the initiatives originating in those who don’t come to power, young people or women and those who call themselves the voiceless. Like them we will question the freedom of choice of reforms regarded as advanced by western power-brokers, but which pay scant regard to the voiceless . These individual reactions lead to the creation of volunteer organizations which differ from trades unions or foreign NGOs. They create spaces to express themselves as local radio stations, farmers’ federations and social forums. Some film makers and singers as the internet provide an international audience to these local actions which converge towards those of other countries, giving a transnationality to the actions of the voiceless. Anti-globalist initiatives coexist with religious movements, which, in different ways, express also social preoccupations and opposition to the policies under western influence. Both question the sovereignty of countries which obey western orders. Group dynamics will be analysed in different town and rural environments. We will examine the countries where social demands are freely expressed and where the press and radio stations echo the demands, as well as those where repression is the rule. |