Important Dates

Professor Dries Velthuizen (Institute for African Renaissance Studies, Pretoria, South Africa)

The transdisciplinary approach to apply multiplicity, relationality and reflexivity to solve complex problems:
The need for new peace and security models for Africa

How to find new models for peace and security in Africa? To prevent or solve violent conflict in Africa is a complex problem.  A transdisciplinary approach, recognizing the multiplicity, relationality and reflexivity of solving such complex problems is
required to interrogate how conflict in Africa can be prevented from turning violent, and if it does, how peaceful relationships can be created or restored.

Dries Velthuizen's ultimate aim is to develop new grounded and engaged theory that could depict how violent conflict in Africa can be prevented and resolved through the restoration of relationships. The research problem that guides this research poses the question: "What are the key concepts of an integrated peace and security model for Africa"?

Dries Velthuizen is a trans-disciplinary researcher, published writer, engaged scholar and social activist. His focus is on social innovation for people security in Africa. Together with associates he engages with communities recovering from
violent conflict, as well as communities of practice dealing with conflict, building their capacity for social innovation.

He has been awarded a Doctorate of Literature and Philosophy for the thesis "The Management of Knowledge: A Model for the African Renaissance" a trans-disciplinary study dealing with the management of endogenous knowledge in Africa. Dries Velthuizen is also a facilitator, accredited assessor, mentor and specialist developer of learning materials for higher education institutions.