Research Presentations

Byron Arthur Sylvia – PhD student, University of British Columbia, Anthropology

“Language planning, intellectual property and educational publishing in South Africa.”

Abstract: South African publishing is dominated by educational publishing for schools, a commercial industry which pivots on two processes: highly centralized government-controlled textbook procurement and largely exploitative and badly administered intellectual property transactions on the part of publishers. This picture is complicated by the complex sociolinguistic landscape of South Africa, with its eleven official languages. The laissez-faire approach by government and policy confusion about how to deal with language diversity has resulted in a de facto privileging of English-language instruction. This amounts to subtractive and transitional bilingualism, which is broadly recognised by educationalists as a very poor model. The contrasting model is additive bilingualism, “in which a second and even third language is added to the student’s repertoire of language systems whilst sustaining the first or primary language throughout the schooling process” (Heugh, 1995). I will be analysing the tensions between these various forces and imperatives and their effect on educational outcomes in South Africa.

Maria Jose Athie Martinez – PhD student, University of British Columbia, Curriculum Studies

 “Shared histories: Educational peace building movements”

Abstract: In this presentation I will share some of my experiences in peace building, education and social movements. I will share the particular case of the social peaceful movement in Mozambique, while being part of the youth group called Saint Eugidio in Italy and then in Mexico. Thus, the experiences learned in Italy and Mozambique influenced my actions and strategies in peaceful, educational and social movements in Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. It will include an analysis of the challenges that developing countries experience after years of colonialism, and now globalization. How does challenges mark politic, economic, social, education, peace and health governmental strategies. Thus, how developing countries found themselves in the obstacles of fulfilling international non-profits and agencies agendas, while overcoming a constant colonial system in which they are trapped. Hence, I will share some particular experience of culturally responsive and Indigenous movements in which communities find ways to dignify their education and professional careers.

Esther Ocheni and Kingsley Eze – Masters students, University of British Columbia , Public Policy and Global Affairs

“Out of school children: How to reduce their rising population and reintegrate them into society”

Abstract: Our presentation will be on the rising number of out of school children in Africa. We will give an overview of the various factors at play, such as poverty, violence and culture and discuss practical policies that could curb the trend.

Jason Winikoff – PhD student, University of British Columbia, Ethnomusicology

“Sali na Sali: A Month of Zambian Luvale Musicians in Angola”

Abstract: In the summer of 2019, I travelled with 35 Zambian drummers and dancers to Angola to aid the Luvale people in the production of their Likumbi lya Mize ceremony. Due to Angola’s complicated national history, transmission of traditional culture has been interrupted; we were thus tasked with providing the music for this festival and educating Angolan Luvale in their traditional song and dance. Once completed, we awaited the arrival of the chief of the Luunda Empire; he was en-route to Angola with hopes of quelling the (recently reignited) tensions between the Luvale and Lunda peoples. We were to welcome him with a cultural display. This transformed our four-day trip into 28. When historically situated, this month is a case study in how specters of colonization are still creating a disconnect between Africans. My paper will illustrate ways in which this disconnect affects the education, performance, and lives of traditional musicians.

Temitayo Olarewaju – PhD student, University of British Columbia, Peter. A. Allard School of Law

“Looking back so we can move forward: Land grabs in Africa“

Abstract: The 2007/8 global food crisis led to a boom in “Land grabbing”. However defined, the term land grabbing involves the acquisition of large tracts of land and resources by wealthy states or investors to the harm of peoples in host countries. Research has identified numerous negative impacts of land grabs in the Global South, including armed conflicts in Africa. The former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food recognises land grabbing as potentially resulting in extreme poverty and worsening the already precarious state of 1.5 to 2 billion people worldwide, many of whom reside in developing countries. Nevertheless, there are debates on whether land grabbing is a continuation of colonial practices or if it is a new phenomenon, and on the extent of its occurrence. This project responds to these debates by revealing the dynamics and character of land grabs in Africa.

Oludolapo Makinde – PhD student, University of British Columbia, Peter A. Allard School of Law

“Understanding the Nigerian Corporate Governance Challenge – Inadequacy of Laws or Question of Enforcement?“

Abstract: African countries desire to turn around their economic fortunes and many now appreciate the important role corporate governance plays in achieving this goal. Nigeria in particular, recently issued a national corporate governance code to guide corporate behavior and a review of the country’s primary corporate law is in the works. Despite these changes, there has been much skepticism about the capacity of Nigeria’s corporate laws to foster economic growth. My research investigates the veracity of this claim by undertaking a comparative analysis of Nigerian and Canadian corporate governance frameworks with a view to ascertaining the main factor militating against the effectiveness of Nigeria’s framework. Findings reveal the robust nature of Nigeria’s corporate governance laws and policies. However, challenges relating to implementation, corruption and enforcement however undermine its effectiveness. The question that therefore arises is, ‘how do we address these issues?’

Samuel Adeniji – University of British Columbia, Peter A. Allard School of Law

“Maritime Industries and Economic Growth in the Arctic: Rethinking the Arctic Governance System.“

Abstract: This paper explores the roles of law, governance, and technology in promoting economic growth in the Arctic, with a special focus on maritime industries and regions. Specifically, by examining and critiquing the international, national and regional legal regulations governing the Arctic, this paper recommends a multistakeholder governance system based on a policy framework that advances technological innovation in the maritime industries and regions for the promotion of economic growth in the Arctic. This, in turn, can serve to improve national and regional capacity to confront the challenges associated with the Arctic environment, including its maritime industries and regions. While one of the principal objectives of this paper is to explore how global climate change provides economic opportunities for the Arctic maritime industries and regions, this paper emphasizes that the Arctic governance system should aim to further maritime security and environmental policy coordination. Therefore, I argue that rather than a single overarching supranational Artic maritime organization, a regime of multilevel institutions is essential to foster technological innovation, stakeholder collaboration, knowledge exchange and innovation, research, maritime safety and security, and economic growth in the Arctic. However, what are the legal, technological, and governance barriers to maritime and economic growth in the Arctic?

Temitope Onifade – PhD Student, University of British Columbia

“Climate Justice in Africa: From Frying Pan into the Fire?”

Abstract: Climate justice means field of theories, reasoning, movement, actions and/or policies driven largely by civil society and minimally by government to protect and/or support vulnerable countries, communities and people. Conceptualizing it leads to vulnerability and responsibility questions and issues. Given the recent trajectory of the climate regime, what is the status of climate justice in Africa? My thesis is that climate justice has moved out of the frying pan into the fire. The UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol are problematic, but my qualitative study shows that, erstwhile, the fate befalling climate justice under those instruments and/or the trend they set is better than under the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement: (1) adopts a voluntary approach with no definite support for climate action and may undermine future sustainable development; (2) pays little attention to adaptation, loss and damage; (3) allows loopholes on financial transfer; (4) has limited human rights norms; and (5) does not place people at the centre of decision-making. I conclude that climate justice has moved out of the frying pan under the UNFCCC and the Koto Protocol into the fire under the Paris Agreement.

Oluwakemi Oke – University of British Columbia

“The African Continental Free Trade Agreements (“AfCFTA”): Development versus Environment”

Abstract: Signed by 22 African countries so far, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (“AfCFTA”) came into force on 31 May 2019. AfCFTA seeks to enhance economic integration of African countries by creating a single continental market with free movement of business, people and investments. As one of the flagship projects under Agenda 2063, it also “aims at significantly accelerating growth of intra-African trade and use trade more effectively as an engine of growth and sustainable development”. Traditional environmental and development proponents seem to be on opposing sides about free trade. Environmentalists argue that free trade contributes to the global environmental crisis, for instance by leading to more polluting production and greater consumption of natural resources. For them, environmental policy should rightly limit trade where it harms environmental quality. Conversely, development practitioners argue that environmental protection efforts can disrupt international trade. AfCFTA aims to eliminate the non-tariff barriers to trade, but environmental issues must also be considered even where they constitute a barrier. My paper and presentation will address this problem by conceptualizing environmental considerations as a trade barrier.

Godwin Dzah – PhD Student, University of British Columbia, Peter A. Allard School of Law,

“Africa as a Norm-Maker in International Environmental Law”

Abstract: African legal conceptions are often ‘forced’ into a non-legal space. This is evident in environmental law discourse where these conceptions are treated as environmental ethics—they contribute to law formation but are considered ‘non-law’. This problem can be observed in works that tend to argue that African indigenous (environmental) legal conceptions are ethics and not law Thus, I find the default concept of law to be too narrow. I argue that the concept of the ‘legal’ must be expanded and re-oriented to accommodate these ‘ethical’ values which are fundamentally law. This is particularly significant for Africa, where debates over the legal character of customary law frequently turns on whether a particular customary law rule falls under ‘law properly so-called’ or is confined to the ethical domain. The resolution of this conundrum will help unlock a raft of legal rules (from Africa’s perspective) that can shape both local and international efforts at effective environmental protection and better implementation of sustainable development.