Struggles for Self-Determination in the 21st Century: Perspectives from Africa – Focus on Kenya

The introduction of the symposium focuses on struggles for self-determination in the 21st century, with representatives from various grassroots and activist movements, particularly from Kenya. They aim to address issues like anti-capitalism and neocolonialism, and the impact these have on communities globally. This segment introduces key speakers and their backgrounds.

The discussion includes references to the works of Kurdish leader Abdullah, highlighting his influence on struggles in Kenya. The symposium seeks to link international struggles, focusing on how Kenya and other regions draw inspiration from his ideas. The challenges of understanding these links are acknowledged, as well as successes of grassroots movements.

Participants are invited to share their opening remarks. A speaker emphasizes the international solidarity in struggles against neocolonialism, drawing parallels between Kenyan resistance and global movements. The significance of intellectual and grassroots collaboration is stressed, alongside a critique of neoliberalism's impact.

A detailed history of resistance in Kenya is provided, illustrating continuous struggles against colonial and post-independence oppression. The formation of social justice centers is highlighted as a foundation for contemporary activism, drawing on intellectual and grassroots networks to mobilize communities.

The significance of grassroots movements in resistance is discussed, with a focus on self-determination and organizing against systemic issues like extrajudicial killings and ecological injustice. The role of intellectual networks and literature in advancing these causes is also emphasized.

Speakers highlight the struggles with neocolonialism and privatization, critiquing the impact on local communities in Kenya. The discussion covers the use of theater as a tool for resistance, drawing on historical examples of its effectiveness in political movements. The involvement of various social justice centers is noted.

The intersection of art and activism is discussed further, with emphasis on theater as a mode of resistance. Presenters focus on its power to engage communities and address issues like privatization and systemic violence, arguing for its place within broader social justice efforts.

The discussion shifts to the challenges faced by activists, particularly the influence of NGOs in shaping movements. The tension between NGO involvement and grassroots activism is explored, drawing on examples from recent history. This segment critiques the neoliberalization of resistance movements.

The influence of external global entities like the IMF is highlighted as a major challenge for grassroots movements. There's a call to organize on an international level, linking struggles across the globe. Emphasis is placed on learning from each other's experiences to strengthen local and global activism.

Organizers stress the importance of tailoring political education to local contexts, particularly within Kenya. They advocate for grassroots organization and emphasize using cultural methods like theater to engage communities, which could inspire broader political consciousness and resistance movements.

The relationship between local struggles and international solidarity is explored, discussing how grassroots movements can partner with international networks for mutual support. There's a focus on aligning with international bodies to amplify local struggles, using past collaborative efforts as a guide.

Key challenges in enabling effective international solidarity are discussed, noting linguistic, cultural, and logistical barriers. The conversation stresses the importance of international coordination without diluting local struggles, emphasizing the need for global frameworks that support grassroots efforts.

The session reflects on historical Kenyan struggles and their relevance to contemporary global movements. There's a call to connect these movements internationally, learning from one another to build resilient networks against capitalism and imperialism.

The importance of diverse organizational structures is emphasized, suggesting multiple organizations work together rather than unifying under a single banner. There's a call to recognize and utilize existing strengths within varied organizational models, particularly drawing from localized community efforts.

Participants deliberate on how internationalist groups can support grassroots movements actively. They explore ways to create synergistic events and learning opportunities that transcend geographic boundaries, focusing on arts and culture as unifying tools.

A suggestion is made to organize international events or delegations to Kenya, encouraging direct engagement with local movements. This would aim to build solidarity and provide international perspectives that could enrich local strategies and consciousness.

The utility of virtual platforms for connecting international movements is discussed, acknowledging the complexity of global solidarity in practical terms. The need for both virtual and physical engagement is highlighted as strategies to strengthen international support.

The conversation includes reflections on Kurdish struggles, noting the interconnectedness of their fights with global liberation movements. This connection is suggested as a potential focus for fostering greater solidarity and support between diverse international movements.

The role of intellectual leadership and education in galvanizing movements is emphasized, noting the potential of academic and activist collaboration to forge new pathways for resistance. The session stresses the need for ongoing dialogue and exchange between different activist networks.