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SUMMARY:Developing an ecological capability and functionings for African a
 nd global higher education
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260630T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260630T150000
DTSTAMP:20260614T180644Z
UID:7a3fe629-6e5b-f111-a825-6045bd12f634
CREATED:20260529T145335Z
DESCRIPTION:In the face of climate injustice and centuries of ecological d
 egradation affecting the most vulnerable globally\, there is a growing nee
 d to reimagine the role of higher education in fostering alternative visio
 ns of integrated social and ecological wellbeing\, and in developing ways 
 of knowing\, teaching\, and researching to re-imagine higher education con
 tributions in fostering a wellbeing\, relational ethics for a living plane
 t.  To this end\, and drawing on the capability approach\, a framework for
  harmonious ‘wellbeing’ flourishing of planet and people as the evalua
 tive space is outlined\, connecting and generatively aligning a ‘kaleido
 scope’ of three conceptual approaches.  The umbrella idea is the fosteri
 ng of equitable wellbeing and flourishing living based in Sen’s and Nuss
 baum’s respective capability/capabilities approach.  The basic conceptua
 l architecture of the capability approach is outlined making the case for 
 the formation of a relational ecological capability and corresponding tran
 sformative learning\, as well as for attention to evaluating institutions.
   Sen and Nussbaum’s relational\, freedoms centred anthropology\, which 
 we might understand as recognizing the relational value of nature for huma
 n flourishing\, further addresses the criticism that the approach is only 
 human-centred and individualistic. On the other hand\, the capability appr
 oach does not pay adequate attention to power\, colonial histories or cobe
 ing so that I necessarily expand the approach by drawing on African knowle
 dges.  Firstly\, Achille Mbembe’s planetary habitability requires sharin
 g\, caring for and repairing the earth and attends to our relationships wi
 th non-human beings and to the spiritual. His ecological approach is integ
 rated with an African environmental ethics  with particular focus on the s
 outhern Africa moral philosophy of ubuntu. Finally\, drawing across these 
 intersectional frames\, an ecological capability is roughly sketched for f
 urther development and public debate\, and something is briefly said regar
 ding what higher education is and does\, as well as what it is for\, by fo
 regrounding knowledge\, pedagogical processes and learning aimed at harmon
 ious flourishing.
LAST-MODIFIED:20260529T145517Z
LOCATION:15 Norham Gardens - Seminar Room D (and online)\, Seminar Room D 
 (and online) 15 Norham Gardens  Oxford Oxfordshire OX2 6PY United Kingdom
SPEAKER:Melanie Walker (University of the Free State)
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