Category: F

Fragmented Memories

In order to achieve a meaningful and lasting reconciliation related to the German genocide in Namibia, representatives of the affected groups, the Ovaherero and the Nama, must be included in the negotiation process. In the struggles around collective memory in Namibia, these affected groups do not feel represented by the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo), the governing party in Namibia. For 35 years the Swapo party has tried to establish a unifying narrative to unite all Namibians, focussing on the events surrounding the country’s liberation from apartheid, but it omits the memory of genocide. Hence, the collective memory in Namibia is fragmented, which influences the country’s people and the outcome of political negotiations.

Feminicide in Abya Yala

Feminicide in Abya Yala is not an isolated phenomenon, but rather the most extreme expression of a colonial, patriarchal, and capitalist system that has historically dispossessed and violated women, especially those who are racialized and impoverished. This entry explores its historical roots, its links to organized crime and state impunity, and presents some responses that, from community feminisms, propose to resist, care for, and transform the structures that perpetuate this violence.

Futures-Thinking

Futures-thinking encompasses a range of methods, tools and practices designed to explicitly engage with possible and desired futures. The word “futures” is used in the plural to acknowledge the diversity of potential future situations that have yet to materialise. Both external experts and conflict-affected communities use futures-thinking for analytical purposes and to drive societal transformation in conflict contexts. While business and military planning have professionalised the systematic development of futures-thinking methodology, anticipating and preparing for the future is inherent to all human societies. Therefore, systematic and power-critical futures-thinking can lend itself to participatory, reflexive and constructive practices that are beneficial to conflict transformation.

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