This contribution aims to approach the theme of a traveling Islam by starting frommoving people and considering how their religious “luggage”—in terms of beliefs,ideas, and practices—travels with... Show moreThis contribution aims to approach the theme of a traveling Islam by starting frommoving people and considering how their religious “luggage”—in terms of beliefs,ideas, and practices—travels with them and what this means for the circulation ofreligious ideas in Africa and beyond. The paper focuses particularly on Senegalesemigrants of the Murid Sufi order residing in Italy and the Netherlands; it investigateshow their religious luggage is important to them in the migration context and maycirculate further from there. In addition, it explores how their religious luggage ismoulded in, and through, their migration experiences: for instance, its meaning maychange, or another layer may be added. Finally, ideas on (the force of) the Muridiyyamay travel back to Senegal, adding other layers to the meaning of religion there as well. Show less
This contribution aims to approach the theme of a traveling Islam by starting from moving people and considering how their religious “luggage”—in terms of beliefs, ideas, and practices—travels with... Show moreThis contribution aims to approach the theme of a traveling Islam by starting from moving people and considering how their religious “luggage”—in terms of beliefs, ideas, and practices—travels with them and what this means for the circulation of religious ideas in Africa and beyond. The paper focuses particularly on Senegalese migrants of the Murid Sufi order residing in Italy and the Netherlands; it investigates how their religious luggage is important to them in the migration context and may circulate further from there. In addition, it explores how their religious luggage is moulded in, and through, their migration experiences: for instance, its meaning may change, or another layer may be added. Finally, ideas on (the force of) the Muridiyya may travel back to Senegal, adding other layers to the meaning of religion there as well. Show less
This paper presents the results of a short-term research project conducted in 2017/2018 on the various ways in which migration and land dynamics in West Africa are intertwined. Contrary to much... Show moreThis paper presents the results of a short-term research project conducted in 2017/2018 on the various ways in which migration and land dynamics in West Africa are intertwined. Contrary to much conventional (policy) thinking in the European Union (EU) today, our point of departure is not that migration is the problem to be solved – nor that (access to) land is the straightforward means to discouraging migration. Drawing on local case studies in four West African countries, this research aims to shed light on the various relationships between migration and land, and to analyze to what extent they may contribute to or obstruct (local) inclusive and sustainable development in Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Benin. In doing so, we aim to offer food for thought concerning possible ways for making the connection between migration and land more fruitful and productive for as many people as possible, especially in relation to the opportunities and constraints facing different categories of West African youth. Show less
Shannon, M.; Otsuki, K.; Zoomers, A.; Kaag, M.M.A. 2018
With this article we contribute to debates on urban land governance and sustainable urban development in Africa by providing an empirical analysis of forced displacement and resettlement associated... Show moreWith this article we contribute to debates on urban land governance and sustainable urban development in Africa by providing an empirical analysis of forced displacement and resettlement associated with infrastructure development in Beira city, Mozambique. In recent years Beira has become the recipient of numerous investment flows targeting the built environment by a range of international investors. By analyzing the micropolitical engagements associated with three different infrastructure projects, based on extensive qualitative interviews, observations, and document analysis, we demonstrate how each intervention has been associated with highly informal and divergent processes of forced displacement and resettlement. We argue that these land related impacts have been annexed from debates on sustainable infrastructure development, and that they exhibit some fundamental differences from established resettlement research. We conclude by arguing that forced displacement and resettlement should be understood as a deliberate and systematic feature of urban infrastructure development, through which new social-spatial arrangements are created. This ultimately points to the emergence of a novel mode of fragmented urbanism within the context of urban development in Africa which poses new challenges to urban sustainability. Show less
Education is the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and considered an important gateway to many other SDGs being achieved. Education is, however, frequently interpreted in terms of its... Show moreEducation is the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and considered an important gateway to many other SDGs being achieved. Education is, however, frequently interpreted in terms of its technical aspects, i.e., furthering skills and knowledge and strengthening human capital for promoting development. By contrast, this paper focuses less on this technical aspect and instead analyses the current educational landscape in Africa as a field in which flows of investment, ideas, and people influence connections between Africans and the rest of the world. As an effect of the structural adjustment programs in the 1980s, public spending on education in many African countries went down, allowing private education initiatives to spring up. These were, for a large part, financed by Western and Arab countries. Over the last fifteen years, investment flows in education from emerging global powers like China, Brazil, Malaysia, and Turkey have contributed to an increasingly diversified educational landscape in Africa. This paper argues that these investments not only allow Africans to improve their educational levels but that these diverse forms of education also have an influence on connections and social orientations in African societies. Educational programs go together with specific worldviews. In addition, people develop their social networks through educational trajectories. Both orientations and connections influence people’s choices and opportunities in their further lives, and thus individual and societal development. Interestingly, often investments in education by external parties are not isolated endeavors, but also used as a means to get linked-in in local societies for such diverse purposes as religion or business interests. Illustrating my argument with examples taken from my research on Gulf charities and on Turkish schools in Africa, I will explore how the new connectivities that come with the changing educational landscape in Africa shape (possible) local development trajectories in the current era of intensified globalization characterized by intensified flows of capital, people, and ideas. Show less
This collective volume explores the ways in which Africa's engagements with an increasingly multipolar world are being reshaped, and, on whose terms. Ch. 2-7 examine new trends in Africa. Ch. 8-13... Show moreThis collective volume explores the ways in which Africa's engagements with an increasingly multipolar world are being reshaped, and, on whose terms. Ch. 2-7 examine new trends in Africa. Ch. 8-13 address the forces, in particular interventions by China, India and the US, that are framing the new global multipolarity and the way multipolarity is being played out. Ch. 14-16 focus on the potential for Africa and Africans to fill the political and economic space that is emerging. Contributions by Ton Dietz, Kjell Havnevik, Mayke Kaag & Terje Oestigaard; Samuel Teshale Derbe;Peer Schouten; Bram BĂĽscher; Sandra Evers, Perrine Burnod, Andrianirina Ratsialonana Rivo & Andre' Teyssier; Wiebe Nauta; Mohamed Salih; Sanne van der Lugt; Gorm Rye Olsen; Liu Haifang & Jamie Monson; Antony Otieno Ong'ayo; Simona Vittorini & David Harris; Peter J. Schraeder; Lloyd G.A. Amoah; Lawrence Ogbo Ugwuanyi; Stephen Ellis. [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
Bruijn, M.E. de; Kaag, M.M.A.; Til, A. van; Dijk, J.W.M. van 2005
Climate change is a global problem with local consequences. However, the direction and magnitude of these consequences in extremely vulnerable regions - such as the Sahel - cannot yet be predicted... Show moreClimate change is a global problem with local consequences. However, the direction and magnitude of these consequences in extremely vulnerable regions - such as the Sahel - cannot yet be predicted with any certainty. The studies in this volume focus on people for whom climate variability, mainly rainfall, is a more immediate and urgent problem than climate change itself. They demonstrate how small-scale communities in south and central Mali are coping with the sudden changes in their ecological environment and are making decisions concerning their livelihoods under high-risk conditions. This book is a result of the climate change project. Show less