MAREN Participates in the University of Malawi’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences Conference

From 7th to 8th August, MAREN was proud to participate in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Malawi Conference, held under the theme “Reimagining Sustainable Futures: Voices from the Global South.”

The conference brought together researchers from across Malawi and beyond, creating a vibrant platform for sharing diverse perspectives and presenting scholarly papers. The Vice-Chancellor of University of Malawi – UNIMA , Prof. Samson Sajidu , officially opened the event, commending the Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Malawi, Dr. Emmanuel Ngwira , for hosting such a well-organized conference. He also encouraged international participants to explore Malawi’s rich tourist attractions.

The conference featured two keynote speakers. On 7th August, Prof. Grace A Musila, from the University of the Witwatersrand, delivered an insightful presentation on “African Popular Culture’s Currencies and Contradictions.” She highlighted how popular culture creates spaces for marginalized communities to address issues they face, citing social media as a powerful example. Prof. Grace concluded by envisioning a future where everyone has access to education and infrastructure, along with the freedom to pursue their passions and showcase their talents to the world. She urged participants to celebrate the cultural and economic value generated by popular culture.

The second keynote speaker, Dr. Ronald Mangani , from Press Corporation, presented on “African Leadership and Sustainable Development.” His thought-provoking talk sparked engaging debates with questions such as: What is there to sustain in Africa? Who should lead Africa’s sustainable development? How do we ensure capable leadership? These rhetorical challenges encouraged the audience to think critically about the continent’s leadership and sustainable development goals.

Throughout the event, MAREN provided free Wi-Fi access and use of the Idea Hub for presenters. An Idea Hub is an all-in-one interactive device that lets you present, collaborate, and manage content without needing a separate laptop or phone. You can control everything directly on the Idea Hub, or connect it to your other devices for a seamless two-way experience. MAREN also delivered a presentation on its services, focusing on ongoing initiatives such as the DataCite and Internet Society Foundation projects, and how the organization is working to connect minds, enhance research, and advance education in Malawi.

The conference concluded with a lively panel discussion on “Leveraging the Humanities and Social Sciences in Environmental Sustainability,” moderated by Dr. Edister Jamu . The panel featured experts from various professional backgrounds, including Mr. Mathews Malata Jr , Mr. Francis Chris Phiri (Lawi), Dr. Eva Chikabadwa , Prof. Isabel Apawo Phiri , Dr. Ken Lipenga, and Mr. MacBain Mkandawire , each offering unique insights from their fields.

MAREN is honoured to have been part of this intellectually stimulating conference, where researchers and scholars from different disciplines came together to share ideas and explore what “Reimagining Sustainable Futures: Voices from the Global South” means in today’s world.