The Sustainable Futures in Africa (SFA) Network is an interdisciplinary collective that brings together researchers, practitioners, and communities of practice that acknowledge the situated and complex nature of sustainability. The Network aims to build understanding, research, and practice in socio-ecological sustainability in Africa.
Specifically, the Network includes the participation of researchers (from geography and earth sciences, community and adult education, applied social arts, health sciences, and engineering); third-sector organisations (working with environmental and social sustainability, with arts and cultural practice, and with community engagement in African contexts); and community stake-holders (living and working in areas of focus). Participants currently span Eswatini, Uganda, Botswana, Nigeria, Malawi, and the UK, and the reach of the network continues to expand.
NETWORK OBJECTIVES
THEORIES
To discover opportunities in the disparities between ontologies of the global north and the global south inherent in international collaborations and global endeavours
METHODS
To address the relationship between social, cultural, and ecological factors in sustainability in Africa through interdisciplinary research initiatives
IMPACT
To shape and support new opportunities for impact and inquiry that address locally-articulated, socio-ecological challenges
THE THREE LEGGED-STOOL
SFA is inspired by Nobel Peace prize winner Wangari Maathai’s concept of the “Three legged stool”. It is a metaphor for a stable society, with each leg representing sustainable environmental management, democratic governance, and a culture of peace. Each leg must be stable for the stool to stand, meaning the society will not be able to develop if any of the legs are not strong. SFA believes in this holistic approach. We believe that we live in an interconnected world, where we should not just focus on siloed sectoral approach, but work in interdisciplinary teams, looking at the whole picture.
TIMELINE
The SFA Network is an ever-growing network of NGOs and academics working on global sustainability challenges. The initiative started in 2016, and has grown to encompass five hubs around sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.
STRUCTURE
The structure of the network is a decentralized one. The positions of the network Co-Directors and Hub Directors are elected by the members biannually.
HUBS
The SFA Network span Uganda, Botswana, Nigeria, Malawi and the UK, and it continues to expand.