Exploring Global South-South Connections
ZEF’s Doctoral Studies Support Program ran a second edition of its Traveling School at the National University of Colombia’s La Paz Campus.
ZEF’s German-Colombian Doctoral Studies Support Program (DSSP) and the West African Center for Sustainable Rural Transformation (WAC-SRT) recently concluded the second edition of the DSSP Traveling School, solidifying their collaborative efforts with the National University of Colombia (UNAL). The event took place at UNAL’s latest campus in La Paz, El Cesar, located in northern Colombia. Find the full program here.
A two-fold perspective
For the first time, the DSSP Traveling School welcomed not only students from across Colombia but also a group of five students from the University of Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, northern Ghana, a partner institution of ZEF/WAC-SRT. Over a period of two weeks, from June 17 to June 28, 2024 a diverse group of 27 students engaged in courses addressing contemporary challenges faced by both the El Cesar region of Colombia and Ghana. The curriculum covered topics such as land use and tenure systems, urban and regional planning, agricultural production, climate change adaptation, environmental conflicts, mining and extractivism, energy transition, and the comparative study of tourism and cultural diversity between Ghana and Colombia.
Field trips beyond classroom
In addition to classroom sessions, the Traveling School included three field trips aligned with the various course modules. Participants visited agro-ecological cocoa production sites and environmental conservation areas in Pueblo Bello, regions affected by coal mining in La Loma and El Paso, and a tourism development initiative that emerged post-Peace Agreement, serving as a Territorial Training and Reincorporation Space in the Serrania del Perijá, near the Venezuelan border. These excursions offered students and lecturers a comprehensive understanding of Colombia’s and El Cesar’s histories and facilitated rich cultural exchanges with local farmers, indigenous communities, and Afro-descendant populations. These local communities were eager to learn from the international participants and team members hailing from Ghana, Benin, Niger, Brazil, Germany, and various regions of Colombia.
Exposure and inspiration for students
The DSSP Traveling School received acclaim from the UNAL press (see clippings below) in Colombia and was celebrated by its participants as a unique opportunity for academic and intercultural exchange. The event provided international exposure for many students who had never ventured beyond their hometowns and fostered connections that extended beyond mere networking. This initiative strengthened South-South-North collaborations, enhancing both academic projects and personal growth.
This edition of the Traveling School was more than an academic endeavor; it was a vibrant platform for students to immerse themselves in diverse cultures, confront pressing global issues, and build lasting relationships. The experiences shared during these two weeks will undoubtedly shape the participants’ academic and professional journeys for years to come.
Autors: Aline R. Barbosa Pereira (WAC-SRT/DSSP) and Carolina Tobón Ramírez (ZEF/DSSP)
Contact: Carolina Tobón Ramirez (catora@uni-bonn.de)
Links to news by UNAL on the Traveling School:
https://radio.unal.edu.co/detalle/segunda-escuela-itinerante
Impressions from participants from Africa
“While acknowledging that our journey from Tamale to Valledupar was an odyssey marked by both challenges and profound rewards, the rewards certainly outweigh the challenges. My four students and I faced significant immigration issues that delayed our arrival, causing us to miss the first two days of this extraordinary event. Yet, in the face of these obstacles, the unwavering support and warm welcome we received were truly heartening.
To the brilliant minds of UNAL, ZEF, and WAC-SRT, UDS, thank you for crafting an environment where knowledge flowed freely, and curiosity was our guiding star. Your dedication to fostering a global dialogue has left an indelible mark on each of us, especially me.
To DAAD, whose generous funding made this extraordinary experience possible, your investment in our education and future is a beacon of hope. You have empowered us to dream bigger, think deeper, and strive for a better world”.
Lucas Badua (UDS Master Student)
“Participating in the Traveling School was an enriching and eye-opening experience. Over the course of two weeks, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in Colombia’s diverse ecological landscapes, innovative agricultural practices, and vibrant socio-cultural environment. This journey allowed me to see first-hand the resilience and creativity of Colombian farmers, who have developed sustainable farming techniques that are both environmentally friendly and economically viable.
Collaborating with Colombian students during group work was one of the most enriching aspects of the program. The teamwork fostered a dynamic learning environment where we could exchange ideas and learn from each other’s perspectives. The professional presentations and student presentations were equally enlightening, offering deep insights into various ecological and agricultural topics and showcasing the knowledge and passion of all participants.
Additionally, exploring Colombia’s mining sector provided valuable insights into the country’s economic activities and the challenges and opportunities within the industry. Comparing this to Ghana, it was interesting to note both the differences and similarities in mining practices and their impacts on local communities and the environment.
Engaging with local communities was a deeply rewarding experience. The warmth and hospitality of the Colombian people left a lasting impression on me. It was fascinating to learn about their traditions, cultural heritage, and how they integrate these into their daily lives and agricultural practices. The exchange of ideas and perspectives between the Ghanaian and Colombian participants was invaluable, fostering a sense of global solidarity and mutual understanding.
I also really enjoyed the Colombian food. The variety of flavors and dishes was incredible, and it was fascinating to see how local ingredients are used in traditional recipes. The food added a delicious dimension to the cultural experience and offered a unique way to understand Colombian heritage”.
Gilbert Dagunga (UDS PhD Student)
“The Traveling School has been a very exciting educational experience for us and knowing how similar we are in so many ways is something we really appreciated and set the pace for building lasting networks and collaborations. We enjoyed everything about the program, the city and the people. I hope that this south-south-north collaboration will continue to provide exposure for young scholars and build capacity to address our common challenges. Thank you very much”.
Delight Fafa Agordzo (UDS Master Student)
“It was a pleasure being part of the Traveling school. I had the opportunity to learn a lot about Colombia through the classroom presentations and our field trips. I especially admired the serene environment in Pueblo Bello with their efforts in agriculture. I made lots of friends and loads of memories during these few days. The Tambora song still rings in my ears. In all, the trip was an educational, and a fun-filled one”.
Maxwell Anamdare Asale (UDS Master Student)
“The Traveling School program was a treasure trove of learning, cultural immersion, and unforgettable experiences: engaging classes and group projects that broadened my perspectives more particularly in conflict resolution and territorial matters, delicious Colombian cuisine that tantalized my taste buds, traditional dances that got me moving to the rhythm, stunning places like Cartagena that left me awestruck.
The program was expertly structured, and the professors were exceptional. But what made it truly special were the connections I made with students from diverse backgrounds. We shared ideas, laughter, and adventures, creating a sense of community that felt like home”.
Impressions from participants from Colombia
Ana Quintero (UNAL Master Student)
“These days at the Traveling School have nourished my spirit in every possible way, and I greatly appreciate having been able to share experiences and perspectives in an environment that has the greatest potential for learning and building knowledge in freedom.
I also realized that Africans and Latin Americans share a colonial past that has defined our future and that it is our responsibility to uncover the beliefs, practices, knowledge and even emotions that are still permeated by colonialism. I believe that this is the beginning of the emancipation and sovereignty of our territories”.
Jeffrey Prieto (UNAL Master Student)
“This school was the result of the willingness of its organizers, of their years of effort, of their joint work, and of a meeting of wills that was given to us as a gift to its participants, and that we made of it something more than just keeping to the schedule. Thank you for that. On a personal level, sharing with my friends from Ghana, Benin, Niger, Brazil, and Colombians of all origins is expanding my vision, my scope, my goals, and my aspirations in ways I could not have imagined before. As part of this special event, I bring home the energy of change, mobility and community. I thank every one of you who gave of your time, effort and will, and I hope you felt reciprocated by the others”.
Rafael Serrano (UNAL Undergraduate Student)
“I share with you this postcard of the Guatapurí River (see photo above) to express my gratitude for all the experiences we shared during the Travelling School and for all the people responsible for organising such a beautiful activity. I believe how we think about the way we inhabit this earth is different, sensitive, critical and in some way aware of a more responsible dynamic with which we are confronted every day. My respect and affection to all the participants of the school. A very enriching and relevant experience in my life!”
Tatiana Niño (UNAL Master Student)
“Before I left I thought that these two weeks of learning would be a huge period, but now I think that I needed more time with all of you. I think that one of the most valuable experiences of this school was to bring so many cultures together in one place to meet each other and build new ways of thinking. I am very grateful to the organizers for giving us this wonderful opportunity, to the teachers who presented their subjects to us with so much passion and dedication, and to the colleagues who, no matter how many barriers there were, managed to overcome them to understand each other in some way. I take with me very beautiful memories and teachings from all of them”.
Jeison Lenis Chaparro-Cárdenas (UNAL Master Student)
“How wonderful it has been to share academic and life experiences with people from Germany, Brazil, Niger, Ghana, Benin and Colombia, I feel very fortunate. It was also a wonderful experience to move from an academic space to a scenario of collective recognition, where the others became, for a few weeks, a big family where there were no borders, not even idiomatic ones. Thank you for your teaching, your learning and your human capacity to share and live”.