The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) growing influence in global academic and policy spaces has once again been amplified with the nomination of Associate Professor Siseko Kumalo to serve on the Global Ethics Symposium Committee for the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN-SDSN).
This appointment recognises his contributions to higher education studies, decolonial thought, and global justice.
“I serve on the Global Ethics Symposium Committee alongside my colleagues in the USA, Greece, Rome, China and Cambodia. We support the President of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (Prof Jeffrey Sachs—Columbia University) in an advisory capacity and capacity development for hosting the Global Ethics Symposium worldwide.”
The Committee collaborates on efforts to fundraise, and a strategic vision for the possible developments of the Symposium.
Prof Kumalo’s role in the Symposium on Global Ethics is particularly significant as he is the sole African representative on this global platform.
The Symposium annually convenes scholars from ancient traditions—to discuss ancient wisdom and its insights into global challenges. Last year, they met in China with scholars from all over Europe, South East Asia and North America.
“My contribution to the Committee as the project leader of the Black Archive Project, which is based here at UJ and funded by the NRF, seeks to outline the contribution of African knowledge systems to global knowledge innovations.”
He added that serving on the Committee meant he could represent African interests alongside peers and scholars interested in seeing neglected traditions being advanced to respond to new problems in the world.
“We are all excited about envisioning a new world that transcends the limitations of the current global order, and led by Jeff’s vision, we see that possibility happening only through global and equitable multilateralism. It is imperative to stress that we are not politicians; we are intellectuals committed to truth and the pursuit of science to advance the human race.
The ability to serve my country and the continent on this Committee—and doing so among colleagues that I admire and respect—means we’re that much closer to seeing African knowledge actively contributing to shifting global understanding. Importantly, these spaces serve as platforms where we, as Africans, can change the world’s perception of Africa. Using our own narratives and driving an agenda empowering us as Africans.”
Serving alongside one of the foremost leading economists of the 21st century, Prof Sachs, economic development (for both Africa and South Africa) is Prof Kumalo’s major priority.
The majority of the committee members are philosophers, and Prof Kumalo is interested in outlining the contribution that the humanities bring to envisioning a developmental and better world.
“Simply, research that is driven by a humanist perspective is at the forefront of my contribution to this Committee. A contribution that dispels the bifurcating myth that only the STEM disciplines can and, indeed, do drive development.”
Prof Kumalo will serve for at least 5 years. “I serve the interest of African people for African development.” As Prof Kumalo brings African epistemologies, ethical frameworks, and higher education perspectives to the forefront of international discourse, the University takes pride in his work and the impact it will have on shaping inclusive and just global policies.
