Summer School Wroclaw great success

Wroclaw University invited students from Eastern European countries to discuss conflicts in Africa and more specific topics such as the role of resource exploitation in African society. From 10th – 16th November the Fatal Transactions Summer School became reality and students from all over Eastern Europe came to the University of Wroclaw in Poland to learn about ‘Fatal Transactions’.

“Studies on conflict and Africa are not very common throughout Eastern Europe”. Says Dr. Dominik Kopinski, coordinator of BICC’s affiliate Fatal Transactions in Poland. He therefore saw an important opportunity in organizing a summer school at his University in Wroclaw. He invited students from Eastern European countries to discuss conflicts in Africa and more specific topics such as the role of resource exploitation in African society. From 10th – 16th November the Fatal Transactions Summer School became reality and students from all over Eastern Europe came to the University of Wroclaw in Poland to learn about ‘Fatal Transactions’.
“To free Africa from conflict is a moral duty for all of us” opens the Congolese professor Rigobert Minani Bihuzo his class. He leaves a great impression with the students. ‘At my university there are no lessons on Africa’ remarks Vit Dostal, student international relations from the Czech Republic, who appreciates the opportunity to listen to the perspectives from the African professors and get information on local issues that he normally lacks. ‘Sometimes multinational corporations try to respond to social problems and start building a school in Africa. How do we know this is an appropriate solution?” Is one of Dostals’ questions during Rigobert’s class. The role of new economic powers such as China, is one of the major topics during the summer school and appeals to the students. Dostal: ‘Last year I was against the Olympics being held in Beijing, but I now think this can bring us advantages in putting China’s resource exploitation more in the picture. China will be more likely to be open for discussion in its effort of building a good image.’
Also African students participate in the summer school. Could they still learn something about Africa? Gilbert Mbara from Kenia especially liked the perspectives on causes of conflict such as the looting and conflict in the DRC and Niger delta. ‘Everything seems to be interconnected such as economic, legal issues, the role of institutions and the historical legacy of colonists dividing African borders’. Gilbert experienced conflicts in his own community when a large dam project forced the relocation of 4 schools. “Even if we don’t speak about violent conflict and war, locally there are always conflicts when mining companies come. It is important to look into the issues of resettlements, compensations, destruction of environment as well.” Tells Mbara. “An important problem is that people are unaware of their rights and, for example, don’t have a newspaper. I want to use this knowledge in future development work, to involve people and empower them.”

Reinford Mwangonde, spokesperson for the Citizens for Justice in Malawi, invites the students to think about possibilities for future action. “In Malawi we join our forces in a campaign for just exploitation and transparent contracts of Uranium mining” The students agree: “We are still young and have access to information; there is a lot we can do”. “This summer school brings interesting people together. It will be a shame not to see those people anymore after this week. I hope we can be a network and we meet all these people again in our future work”. Says Mwangonde optimistically, when he closes the last class of the Wroclaw Summer University.