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The second annual CRC-TRR 228: Future Rural Africa Summer School was held in Nairobi and Naivasha, Kenya from 29th July to 2nd August 2019 under the theme of “Exploring socioecological transformation through the lens of Future Studies.” Attendees engaged with an exceptional and varied program that included a series of lectures, presentations and workshop discussions that furthered understanding, encouraged collaborative research and stimulated debate. The Summer School provided early career researchers with training to enhance their theoretical knowledge and jointly explore the conceptual potential of Future Studies, particularly in relation to the thematic focus of the CRC. It also provided a platform for mutual sharing of ideas, expertise and experiences. The transformation of rural Africa was explored by building on wider debates on anticipatory politics to engage with the ways in which global policy dynamics impact on socioecological transformations. In addition, the Summer School explored how land-use change, as well as changes in the management of natural resources, are being anticipated and integrated into both community-based and state-run projects, national plans and development programs.
The Summer School was initiated at the British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) in Nairobi, with introductory lectures given by Prof. Dr. Detlef Müller-Mahn (CRC spokesperson-University of Bonn) and Prof. Dr. Christian Borgemeister (Center for Development Research-University of Bonn). A great number of delegates were welcomed from our partner institutions in Kenya and Tanzania, for whom Prof. Dr. Borgemeister included in his lecture an overview of the function, scope and potential of Collaborative Research Centres as well as an insight into the German Universities Excellence Initiative in light of the recent announcement that the University of Bonn has been conferred Excellence status. This was followed by a panel discussion with experts from science, policy and society mediated my Dr. Christiane Stephan (University of Bonn). The experts included Dr. Alice Kaudia (Executive Director of Ecoentrepreneurs Ltd., Former Environment Secretary at Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources), Prof. Dr. Christian Borgemeister (University of Bonn), and Dr. Eric M. Kioko Kenyatta University, Kenya) All attendees then transferred to Naivasha and the Lake Panorama Hotel became the conference centre for the rest of the week. Informative lectures and presentations were given by Prof. Dr. Detlef Müller-Mahn (University of Bonn), Dr. Kennedy Mkutu (United States International University, Nairobi), Dr. Eric Kioko (Kenyatta University), Dr. Annie Cook and Dr. Bernard Bett (International Livestock Research Institute), Winnie Changwony (Kenyatta University), and Boniface Kiteme (Centre for Training and Integrated Research in ASAL Development, Nairobi). The Summer School ended with an excursion that included a guided tour to the Hell’s Gate
National Park and the Olkaria Geothermal power plant both located south of Lake Naivasha in
Kenya.
