The Opportunity in the Moment: Bridging Academia and Community Realities in Karamoja- Uganda and Beyond
Esther Atem (Karamoja Herders of the Horn (KHH))
This presentation explores the urgent need for academia to reimagine its role in the Global South amid dwindling international aid and delayed outcomes of sustainable development. It critiques the persistent disconnect between academic knowledge and community realities, where research often remains theoretical and detached from the lived experiences of those it aims to serve. This talk calls for a transformative shift: embedding students in community contexts from the outset, co-generating knowledge with local actors, and translating research into actionable, locally grounded solutions. Drawing on examples from pastoralist regions and grassroots initiatives, it highlights how Indigenous knowledge, intergenerational dialogue, and community-led innovation can redefine sustainability. This moment of global uncertainty is not a crisis, but an opportunity. Academia must move from reflection to relevance, from observation to co-creation, and become a catalyst for resilient futures in the Global South.
Let’s build together.
Esther Atem is an advocate for pastoralists’ rights, advocating for communities where the values, practices, and knowledge systems of pastoralist life are respected and protected. Her work focuses on amplifying Indigenous voices, challenging harmful narratives, and promoting community-led resilience in Karamoja-Uganda. She volunteers with Karamoja Herders of the Horn (KHH) a pastoralist rights organisation in Uganda and is currently developing The NewGene (The New Generation), an initiative under formalization that creates platforms in schools, kraals, and community spaces for intergenerational dialogue and youth-led dreaming.
In collaboration with the Institute for Ecology and Action Anthropology (INFOE), Esther has led and contributed to several knowledge-sharing exchanges and publications. These include her article on Institutions of Socialisation in Karamoja and Their Impact on Gender Roles, her participation in the Commoning Dialogue series, and her co-leadership in the Commoning Dialogue on Etamam. Her voice also featured prominently at the Vienna Conference on Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainability, where she advocated for inclusive learning and community-driven policy design.
Date:
15 October 2025
17:45-19:19
Venue:
Seminar Room S252
Classen-Kappelmannstr. 24, 50931 Köln