Utrecht University Centre for Global Challenges (UGlobe)

“Our counterparts in the Global South need to know what it means to collaborate with Universiteit Utrecht and the diverse Geo faculty” Prof. Ajay Bailey 🟥's work includes inclusive transport, ageing, and public health in India. How do you build meaningful professional relationships within existing geopolitical connections? We spoke to him about his research, co-ownership of projects and how the university and the faculty can improve when it comes to collaborating with the Global South. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eHmEMm8a Utrecht University Centre for Global Challenges (UGlobe)

Utrecht University boasts a vibrant and distinctive community of research and teaching fellows. They incorporate the perspectives from the Global South and beyond in their education or research. In our series ‘faces of global perspectives’, we’ll put them in the spotlight. Introducing Bruce Mutsvairo ⭐ After attending University College Utrecht, Mutsvairo attended and worked at several universities all over the world. From these experiences and his focus on international issues, he gained important insights on inclusivity 💡 “When working in the international arena, you are never on your own, but you meet people from all over the world who have different ideas to yours. That made me realize that it’s never just about you. There are always others to consider.” 🤔 As professor and chair of media, politics and the Global South in the department of Media and Culture Studies, Mutsvairo aims to take a broad, inclusive approach to teaching. This means that he includes people from different backgrounds in his courses, also people from outside of academia. After all, he says, when you’re teaching, it’s not about you. It’s about the students 🎓 Mutsvairo tries to take into account what his students would like to learn and argues that this requires an inclusive approach and an accessible university. Although Mutsvairo does not consider himself to be radical, or in favor of changing everything and right now, he does see opportunities for change. For him, an important aspect of this is engaging in conversation and giving time to this gradual process 🗣️ He highlights that we are often too focused on seeing results straight away while this is not realistic. He advocates for an ongoing dialogue that does not shut anyone out. This way, we can hope to achieve a better society together 🤝 In addition, Mutsvairo is a board member of the Kenniscentrum Global Health (KCGH). From this perspective, he recently gave an interview about the growing issue of misinformation, particularly within the global health sector 🩺 He elaborates how misinformation spreads and impacts different parts of the world differently, based on for example traditional beliefs or political convictions. Also in this context Mutsvairo highlights the importance of collaboration to tackle this global problem. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/esnU8rwU Read the interview here: https://lnkd.in/eMEzASDU #UtrechtUniversity #UGlobe #Dialogue #Inclusivity #GlobalHealth

Check out this engaging evening full of wonderment 🤩 - in Dutch -

📢 Final events of the year 📅 As this year is slowly coming to an end, we would like to highlight a few exciting events happening between now and the end of the year. 🌟 Tomorrow: Workshop 'Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Africa' Date & time: Thursday, November 28th, 13:30-16:00 Location: Janskerkhof 13, room 006 More info: https://lnkd.in/eaBkPxuS  In this workshop we will present new research on entrepreneurial ecosystems in African countries and regions: new measurements, comparisons, and policy evaluation. The goal is to improve the science and practice of entrepreneurial ecosystem development in Africa. 🌍 With data and dialogue we co-create knowledge on improving the conditions for entrepreneurship to achieve sustainable development. 🗣️ UGlobe Informal Talk with dr. Victoria Seca Date & time: Thursday, December 5th, 10:30-12:00 Location: UGlobe office (Hoogt 12, 3512 GW Utrecht) Dr. Victoria Seca is a visiting Postdoc researcher from the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) in Argentina working on youth mobilisation in climate and reproductive rights activism 💪 She will share some of her work on youth activism on reproductive rights, climate change and far right in Argentina in the past decade. From a sociological perspective, her research is driven by questions like: how and why do young people get involved in politics? What are their agendas? And how do they take part in shaping public and political actions? Send us an email at uglobe-events@uu.nl if you would like to join 💡 Impact Night 2024: Human rights, for present and future generations Date & time: Tuesday, December 10th, 18:45-22:00 Location: Janskerkhof 3, Utrecht More information: https://lnkd.in/ephMbksf In the present time, many people worldwide and close to home experience inequality, insecurity and other forms of injustice. How do we ensure together that we and future generations can continue to live in a world where human rights are paramount? And how do we together take responsibility for a safe and healthy living environment and an inclusive city? 🤝 On 10 December 2024, Human Rights Day, the Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance of Utrecht University together with the City of Utrecht cordially invite all UU employees, students, alumni, and representatives of civil society organisations to reflect on human rights – worldwide, but also close to home. We hope to see you soon! 🤩 Rechtsgeleerdheid Universiteit Utrecht Universiteit Utrecht Erik Stam #UtrechtUniversity #UGlobe #EntrepeneurialEcosystems #ReproductiveRights #Activism #ImpactNight #HumanRights

📢 Reminder: last week to sign up for the TIC course 📢 This week is the last week to sign up for the courses in period 3, one of which is our Tackling real-world problems through Interdisciplinary Collaboration (TIC) course. In this interdisciplinary course, students and professionals will join forces to solve real-life challenges provided by our societal partners 🌍 Each year, the challenges are based on Universiteit Utrecht’s strategic themes and highlight the importance of cross-level and interdisciplinary collaboration for solving real-world problems 🤝 An example of a challenge, provided by our partner Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu, is the “(mis)use of antibiotics” challenge that dives into antimicrobial resistance and the risk it poses for public health. Practical details: 🔸 What: 10-week, 7.5 ECTs course 🔸 When: period 3, starting February 3rd 2025 🔸 Who: year 2 and 3 Bachelor students, Master students & professionals from different disciplines To find out more about the course and to sign up, visit https://lnkd.in/eebjKmw or have a look at our Instagram post to discover more about our other partners and challenges: https://lnkd.in/ePBZmrSE #UtrechtUniversity #UGlobe #Interdisciplinary #TIC Pathways to Sustainability (Utrecht University) Institutions for Open Societies (Utrecht University) Utrecht Life Sciences Dynamics of Youth (Universiteit Utrecht) Stichting Vluchteling Commonland Deep Transitions Lab

🏆 The 3 nominees of this year's Pathways to Sustainability Award are known! The 3 nominees of this year's Pathways to Sustainability Award are known! A competition for the most innovative project that is #interdisciplinary in nature, involving #cocreation with stakeholders and leading to #societal #impact. On our conference day on 28 November with the theme #AtHomeConferenceUU the public will vote for the winning project. Get to know one of the three nominated projects! ✨ 𝐁𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥: 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚 In Indonesia’s remote Banggai Archipelago, species like the endangered Banggai Crow and Peleng Tarsier are under severe threat from habitat loss and hunting. The indigenous Seasea community, despite their isolation, hold invaluable knowledge to protect these species. With 30 years of collaboration between our main partner the University of Indonesia and the Seasea community, this project combines the traditional wisdom with interdisciplinary research in biology, anthropology, law and governance. Together with NGO’s and governmental bodies, they create lasting conservation strategies, integrating traditional knowledge with scientific conservation strategies, thereby fostering more sustainable and culturally sensitive conservation practices in the archipelago. This research is a collaboration between Universiteit Utrecht, Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Trisakti, Hasanuddin University, Legal Aid Central Sulawesi, the indigenous Seasea community, local wildlife conservation and habitat restoration organisations, Annisa Triyanti, Mochamad Indrawan

🌍 November Newsletter: Global Engagement, Innovation, and Impact at Utrecht University 🌍 We’re excited to share our latest newsletter, packed with impactful initiatives, global collaborations, and events that shape our community’s commitment to tackling complex issues around the world. ➡️ Read the full newsletter for insights into our programs and events, and learn how you can get involved: https://lnkd.in/epHkv2ff Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside: 🔹 In the Tackling Real-World Problems through Interdisciplinary Collaboration (TIC) course, both students and professionals from diverse fields come together to create innovative, actionable solutions to challenges like sustainability, global health, and migration. In collaboration with Pathways to Sustainability (Utrecht University), Institutions for Open Societies (Utrecht University), Utrecht Life Sciences and Dynamics of Youth (Universiteit Utrecht) the course offers guest lectures, interactive workshops, and real-world case studies—all designed to foster impactful interdisciplinary collaboration. 🔹 Inclusive AI & Technology: The recent launch of the Inclusive AI Lab was a memorable event that spotlighted Prof. Payal Arora's new book, From Pessimism to Promise: Lessons from the Global South on Designing Inclusive Tech. This initiative is redefining how we approach AI and digital culture through a global lens. 🔹 Geosciences and Global South Collaboration: Faculteit Geowetenschappen (Universiteit Utrecht) is developing a strategy for meaningful, inclusive collaboration with the Global South. Their latest interview features PhD candidate Carmen Guadalupe Mallqui Caballero, who highlights the often-overlooked challenges faced by climate scientists in tropical regions of the Global South, emphasizing the importance of equitable research partnerships. 🔹 Early Childhood Health in South Africa: The Global Health UMC Utrecht team recently brought attention to the first 1,001 days of a child's life with a movie screening and panel discussion. The event focused on how poverty and stress can impact early development, especially in low-income regions, underscoring the critical need for supportive caregiving environments. 🔹 New SDG Community-Engaged Platform: We’re excited to announce the launch of a platform connecting UU with communities in the Global South. This initiative aims to enrich student learning while fostering social responsibility, beginning with our recent engagement in Kenya’s Elangata Wuas community. ... and there's much more! Ready to stay connected? Follow us on Instagram for regular updates and behind-the-scenes stories ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e6Tk_BzE Want these updates delivered directly to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e4-bgk78 #GlobalChallenges #UU #InclusiveAI #GlobalEngagement #GlobalHealth #SDGs #InterdisciplinaryLearning

Why Africa’s Big Four are not always the Best Four: Creating a Bigger Picture of Entrepreneurship with the African Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Index #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurialecosystems #Africa #AEEI #data #economicdevelopment i4Policy Allan Gray Centre for Africa Entrepreneurship Utrecht University Centre for Global Challenges (UGlobe) Motse Collective Impact AfriLabs Future Africa TechCrunch TechCabal The Economist Africa: The Big Deal

🌍 Event Recap: Movie Screening & Panel discussion on the First 1,001 Days in South Africa 🎥 Our Global Health group recently hosted a movie screening and panel discussion on '1001 Days', a documentary highlighting the lives of young mothers and dedicated community health workers in Alexandra, South Africa. The film showcases the resilience of health workers like Zanele, Thandiwe, and Khosi, who tirelessly support mothers during the crucial first 1,001 days of their babies' lives. Key Takeaways: 🤔 Acting vs. Listening: The conversation challenged us to consider our role—are we just observing, or do we have an obligation to act? 🔗 Intersectionality: Compounding challenges like poverty, HIV, mental health and minimal support systems create unique, intersecting vulnerabilities for young mothers. 💬 Safe Spaces: Programs like the Ububele Home Visit Program provide essential, trusted support and break cycles of disadvantage. 📈 Inter-generational Impact: Despite the obstacles, the resilience of these women and their hope for a better future were inspiring. The discussion underscored the importance of early intervention and social support in giving children and mothers a stronger start in life. If you're interested in streaming '1001 Days' or supporting the Ububele Home Visit Program, visit their websites to learn more. Together, we can make a difference! 🌟 Read more about the event here: https://lnkd.in/dnRdzFfS #UGlobe #UtrechtUniversity #GlobalHealth #MaternalHealth #EarlyChildhood #Intersectionality #SafeSpaces #1001Days Megan Milota Tienke Vermeiden, MA PhD Sisay M. Alemu Regien Biesma Chloe White Kethiwe Ngcobo Rose Palmer Global Health UMC Utrecht

📢 Update: working on a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Community-Engaged Platform 🌍    We are excited to announce that we are currently developing our Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Community-Engaged Platform! 🌍 While we are working on this platform, we want to take you along on our process, occasionally sharing updates as we take important steps towards a more enriched learning experience.    The goal of the platform is to equip teachers - primarily from the Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance - with hands-on tools that foster real-world engagement with the SDGs. In the end, the platform will connect Utrecht University with diverse local communities, especially in the Global South, through academic courses 🤝 This way we hope to enrich student learning while contributing meaningfully to social responsibility and community development.     🇰🇪 First stop: Elangata Wuas, Southern Kenya 🇰🇪    As a first step in shaping our new platform, our UGlobe interns Andrea Di Maio and Lianne Pieterson spent the month of September in Elangata Wuas engaging with members of local organizations to identify opportunities for collaboration with Utrecht University.    Elangata Wuas is a traditional Maasai community where the SDGs can inspire impactful collaboration. The community relies on livestock, small-scale farming, and small businesses, and they’ve established self-help groups to support each other financially and socially 👥 However, they also face significant challenges, including limited water access, roads in poor condition, and the impacts of climate change, especially harsh droughts.    Elangata Wuas holds a special connection to UGlobe through Joost de Laat, our former director who supported community-based activities there from 2006 to 2015.     🎯 We are creating an immersive introduction to the Elangata Wuas community with videos, photos, and interviews with local members. Teachers will learn about the activities, goals, and challenges of local organizations, and how the SDGs are embedded in their context. We will also share academic publications and resources to help teachers to incorporate Community-Engaged Learning into their courses. Plus, we are developing a live feature that will allow teachers to connect students with community members in real-time!     Follow us on social media and check out our website (https://lnkd.in/epgT2Vsv) to stay updated! 📲    Universiteit Utrecht Rechtsgeleerdheid Universiteit Utrecht   #UGlobe #UtrechtUniversity #SustainableDevelopmentGoals #SDGs #CommunityEngagement #CommunityEngagedLearning #ElangataWuas