Join us for a discussion on Africa’s critical role in the fight against climate change! Although Africa is not a driver of the climate crisis, it bears a huge burden of the consequences. Simultaneously, Africa's wealth of natural resources, expansive forests, and abundant renewable energy potential, position Africa as a vital player in the fight against climate change. New strategies to achieve “net zero” emissions are emerging rapidly. Many of these strategies involve compensating for emissions through various carbon offset schemes, often implemented in “the global South” by “the West.” However, these projects have raised concerns about land grabbing, damage, and displacement of local communities. Africa now stands at the forefront of this movement. This seminar will build on two case studies from South-Eastern Africa and Western Sahara to demonstrate practices in land conservation and renewable energy projects. These cases will help unpack key equity issues within the political economy of climate change. Following the case presentations, a panel discussion will provide insights into carbon markets and credit schemes, highlighting relevant green investments and initiatives in Africa, and how Norway plays a role in global climate finance and renewable energy initiatives. The discussion will explore both the opportunities and challenges these movements present for the continent. Are carbon schemes viable policies toward achieving “net zero”? Or a new form of colonialism? What specific opportunities do carbon markets offer Africa in the fight against climate change? With Ian Bryceson, Professor in International Environment and Development Studies, Noragric (NMBU), Erik Hagen, Director of The Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara, Girum Zeleke, Associate Professor in Civics at VID Specialized University and Asbjørn Torvanger from CICERO. Moderated by Erika Wie Dia from the Norwegian Council for Africa.

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is the last absolute monarchy in Africa. King Mswati has ruled the country since 1986 and has been greatly criticized for closing the democratic space through banning political parties, crushing opposition and excessive state violence. As political parties are banned, people can only contest for parliament seats as individuals. The parliament only exists to play an advisory role. Human rights defenders and opposition politicians have been leading voices in speaking out against the rise of authoritarianism in the country, making them the primary targets of repression and harassment. Last year human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko was shot dead in his home in front of his wife and children for speaking out about Eswatini's repressive laws and state violence. No one has been held responsible. What is the way forward for Eswatini? How can unions, human rights defenders and the opposition mobilize for change? What role should South Africa and SADC play and what responsibility does the international community have? And how can activists and human rights defenders in and out of the country be included in strategic platforms both at a regional and international level?

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently in the process of developing a new Norwegian strategy for Africa. Africa, with its 55 states, is developing fast and the changing geopolitical situation in the world is also an important backdrop. Many countries in the world are now intensifying their diplomatic ties with African countries. For the last decade the African continent has seen economic growth, population growth, demand for rare mineral resources and climate change. African countries are both experiencing great possibilities and challenges. What does this mean for Norway's partnership with African countries and what should we prioritize the coming years? What are the most important goals a new Africa strategy should contain? How do Norway ensure that the strategy considers the different historic and political context of each country and promote African states' own agency and development on their terms? And what role could and should the African diaspora in Norway play in this process and in developing foreign and development policies in general?

The Niger Delta in Nigeria has endured extensive environmental degradation due to decades of oil exploration activities. One of the major companies to have operated in the region is Shell. Communities in the Niger Delta have faced pollution, loss of livelihoods and health crises and Shell's operation in the country have been mired in some of the most serious human rights violations and ecological pollution. Their plan now is to divest from onshore operations, seemingly an attempt to absolve them of their responsibility for decades of environmental degradation and community disenfranchisement. Shell is not operating in a vacuum. Many of the big oil companies (including Equinor) are divesting from high emission areas. What responsibilities do oil companies have for the damages they have caused in the local communities? What are the dilemmas regarding divestment strategies and how can civil society and environmental organizations tackle this? And how can we ensure empowerment of indigenous capital in fossil extraction?

Human rights violations against East African migrant workers in the Gulf States have prompted growing concern. Human Rights Watch recently reported a tragic incident where hundreds of Ethiopians lost their lives while attempting to cross the border into Saudi Arabia. The pervasive Kafala system, binding workers to their employers, further exacerbates the challenges faced by migrant workers in the region. In this panel discussion, our primary goal is to illuminate the gravity of human rights violations faced by migrant workers from East African nations in the Gulf States. This specific group has endured prolonged mistreatment in the region. The advent of social media and increased awareness has empowered these migrant workers to share their harrowing experiences by posting pictures and videos depicting their difficult conditions in the Gulf States. Join us as we explore these critical issues, delving into the challenges faced by East African migrant workers in the Gulf States and how they can be resolved.

Michelle Bachelet, former UN high commissioner for human rights, said: "young people are always at the forefront of crisis - and fighting for a better future." This is also true in African countries, where young activists have led big movements such as #EndSARS and Fridays for Future. Come join us in celebrating five young human rights defenders working on climate, debt issues and student activism. Why did they become activists in the first place, what have they learned from their engagement and what are their biggest wins?

In August Zimbabwe headed to the polls again and on the 26th of August the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission announced that Emmerson Mnangagwa had been re-elected after gaining a majority of votes. The opposition 'Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)' refused this victory, stating instead that they, with leader Nelson Chamisa, had won. The opposition also accused ZANU-PF of rigging and voter suppression. What has happened in the country since Mugabe was forced to resign? Were the elections free and fair? How has the opposition been treated during and after the elections? What is happening with the economic situation in the country that was a major concern for many before the elections? Does Nelson Chamisa have what it takes to unite the opposition or has he outplayed his role as leader? What is life like for ordinary Zimbabweans today?

According to the Human Rights Watch World Report 2023 Eritrea's government is continuing to severely repress its population and imposing restrictions on freedom of expression, opinion and faith. At the end of 2021 there were almost 600 000 Eritreans refugees and asylum seekers abroad. We have seen clashes between Eritreans in several European cities, including in Bergen and Oslo. Why are Eritreans fighting each other in Norway? How is the Eritrean regime operating here and how does it affect the human rights of the Eritrean diaspora? What is the human rights situation in Eritrea like at the moment?

Despite much change in the past decades, society often looks to the media for information and education. Meanwhile, the 2023 index published by Reporters without Borders reports that responders reported that political actors in their countries were often or systematically involved in massive disinformation or propaganda campaigns. The difference between true and false, real and artificial, facts and gimmicks are blurred, jeopardising the right to information. The index also reports that the environment for journalism is “bad” in seven out of 10 countries. Journalists across the world are met with animosity both in the virtual and physical world, sometimes resulting in their death. With this as a backdrop, we invite you to a panel discussion about the freedom of the press, information and expression trends on the African continent. We will, among other things, discuss journalism, advocacy and politics, as well as gender, representation and the challenges that accompany it.

On the 26th of July a coup d'état took place in the Republic of Niger when the country's presidential guard detained president Mohamed Bazoum. The coup has been condemned by both the United States and former colonizer France, and the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, has threatened to intervene militarily. What caused the coup in Niger? What does it mean for democratization in the country and for the stability of the entire Sahel region? What other options are there for a solution to the current situation and what role should ECOWAS play?

A new report to be launched on 27 April reveals a trend that has received little attention in Norway: the large number of old Norwegian fishing vessels in West African waters. After having been used for decades in Norwegian waters, fishing companies along the west coast of Norway export their old ships to Africa, where they are used to catch fish stocks that are highly fragile, often in countries with weak fisheries management. The exports thus risk leading to depletion of fish stocks that African people depend on. The report has analysed hundreds of vessels that have been removed from the Norwegian Ship Register over the last 22 years. A large part of the ships end up fishing for Moroccan interests in waters of occupied Western Sahara, which is in itself highly controversial. The trend of exports of the old Norwegian ships is seen in relation to changes in management of fish stocks domestically in Norway. The report is a co-publication by The Norwegian Council for Africa, The Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara and The Norwegian Society for the Conservation of Nature. The publication is funded by Norad.