Development of liberation heritage materials kick starts
The first Module of the regional dimensions of National Liberation Movements (NLMs) in Southern African Development Community (SADC) has been developed under the theme, “Youth in the Liberation Struggle and Beyond”. Resource materials produced for the module include a booklet, video and social media content.
The resource material are being developed under the National Liberation Movements Heritage Programme on “Using the History of Independence to Promote Inclusion, Cultural Diversity, and Civic Education in the SADC Region”. The programme aims to use the rich history of the National Liberation Movements to address contemporary challenges of xenophobia and discrimination faced by the people of Southern Africa, and to promote intercultural dialogue and civic education among youth of the region, while encouraging people of all ages to explore the knowledge and values of their shared history.
The resource materials were conceived at an experts meeting held in Windhoek, Namibia from 24-25 April 2018, which was organised by UNESCO in partnership with the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC), and co-hosted by the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and the National Assembly of Namibia. The official opening ceremony of the experts meeting took place in the historic chambers of the National Assembly of Namibia.
The first module of the resource material will be used to stimulate dialogue among youth and can be incorporated into national curricula to enhance the teaching of liberation history thereby creating a sense of solidarity and unity among the youth.
During the piloting of the social media content and the video, it became clear that the youth are not well informed about the history of the region and the liberation struggles that brought about independence of their countries and the region as a whole. However, the youth responded to social media with enthusiasm and in large numbers, expressing keen interest to know their history.
The lack of knowledge of the National Liberation Movements and the sacrifices made by nationalists within their countries and the Pan-Africanist revolutionaries in other countries for the independence of the region has led to youth disengagement, lack of participation in nation building and civic education, intolerance, xenophobia and other intercultural problems.
This initiative will provide a platform for youth and citizens in general to engage in dialogue to appreciate the shared history of the region and forge a pathway to a future anchored on unity, social cohesion, solidarity and regional integration.
With the availability of financial resources, the following themes are envisioned:
YOUTH IN THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE AND BEYOND
REGIONAL DIMENSIONS AND LINKAGES OF THE NLMS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
AFRICA DIMENSIONS – THE OAU AND LIBERATION COMMITTEE
WOMEN IN THE NLM: ROLE, CONTRIBUTION, CHALLENGES
MWALIMU JULIUS K. NYERERE, THE FRONT LINE STATES OF TANZANIA, ZAMBIA, BOTSWANA AND OTHER STATES ON THE FRONTLINE (ESWATINI, LESOTHO AND MALAWI)
THE CONTRIBUTION FROM OTHER REGIONS OF AFRICA; ALGERIA, EGYPT, ETHIOPIA, GHANA, GUINEA, KENYA, NIGERIA, UGANDA
THE ROLE AND CONTRIBUTION OF THE CHURCH AND LABOUR UNIONS TO NLMS, PARTICULARLY IN NAMIBIA AND SOUTH AFRICA
EXTERNAL SUPPORT FROM CHINA, RUSSIA, YUGOSLAVIA, CUBA AND OTHERS
THE NORDIC COUNTRIES, SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT IN EUROPE AND THE AMERICAS
LIBERATION HERITAGE SITES
THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE GLOBAL PAN-AFRICAN MOVEMENT AND PAN-AFRICANISM, FROM THE PAN-AFRICAN CONFERENCE IN 1900 TO THE 6TH PAN-AFRICAN CONGRESS IN 1974
EDUCATION: TEACHING HISTORY FOR A STRENGTHENED REGIONAL IDENTITY IN COMBATING DISCRIMINATION AND XENOPHOBIA
UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa in partnership with the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC) are speaheading the programme.