Activism and Affects Explored During Holberg Debate

07.12.2018

Legendary researchers and activists joined the panel for the 1 December Holberg Debate.

The third annual Holberg Debate took place at the University Aula on December 1, 2018. The topic was "Politics and Affects: The Dynamics of Social Mobilization."

Three distinguished speakers joined the panel to discuss the influence of affects on politics and what we have learned from the last 50 years of activism and social mobilisation in North America, Europe and Africa.

Achille Mbembe is a Cameroonian historian, philosopher and political theorist who specializes in African history and politics. He is Professor at the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Mbembe is particularly well known for his work on post-colonialism and race.

Kathleen Cleaver is Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow at Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia. Professor Cleaver is well-known for her work on human rights and racial discrimintaion both as a researcher and an activist, and she was one of the central figures of the Black Panther Party.

George Galloway  is a British politician, activist, writer and broadcaster. He is a former Member of Parliament in the UK and has been a vocal participant in public debate over the last five decades, particularly in matters related to anti-war efforts, Middle East conflicts, racism and class struggle.

Martine Dennis, who moderated the event, is a principal news presenter for Al Jazeera English. Before joining AJE, she worked for Sky News and the BBC World News for many years, with a particular focus on politics and current affairs in Africa.

Watch video of the event here: