Lecture: The application of ubuntu in law, mediation and social change

On 21 September 2022 the Dullah Omar Institute, in collaboration with Let’s Collaborate, and Street Law UWC, hosted a lecture and panel discussion on Moving from the Era of Separation to the Ubuntu Era/Era of Togetherness.

Click HERE to view the presentation.

Eric Sirotkin, U.S. based internationally renowned human rights lawyer, founder of the Ubuntuworks Project, and former chair of the International Monitoring Project of the South Africa Truth and Reconciliation Commission presented the keynote address on the global move from separation to a new era of Ubuntu. Eric’s book, Witness: A Lawyers Journey from Litigation to Liberation, and his address draws upon his work as a lawyer activist in South Africa, North Korea and the Navajo Peacemaker courts, and lays the foundation for the power of nonviolent advocacy. How do we move beyond good and evil or us and them? The role of healing, examining our attitude toward conflict, awakening consciousness and the power of listening on a deep level to opponents and different cultures may hold the key.

The panel included South African and U.S. lawyers and activists, including Mr. Philip J. Daunt (attorney, mediator, life coach), Dr. S Beukes (human rights lawyer and social justice activist), and Prof Karin van Marle (Department of Public and Jurisprudence, University of the Western Cape). They explored the practical application of ubuntu principles to the law, mediation, and social change.

The lecture was moderated by Ms Precious Matamela (co-founder of Let's Collaborate) and introduced by Prof Jaap de Visser (Director: Dullah Omar Institute). Ms Laura Carelse (Chair of Street Law) closed the session with a vote of thanks.

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Please note that the last part of the lecture was not recorded due to load shedding.