The Meaning of WWI to Namibia

This workshop focusses on the events that led up to the World War I in German South West Africa and the consequential development which shaped modern Namibia. The different stages of Namibia’s history from subjugation to liberation will be explained and discussed.

Attention will be given to the roles played by organisations such as the League of Nations, United Nations, the British Commonwealth and the white South African regime, the fight for freedom and the transition to a stable, peaceful nation. Cultural diversity as well as the role which various tribes played (voluntarily or not) during World War I will be covered in a reflection on social memory and commemoration. From our results we hope to derive ideas for a happy, peaceful and equal Namibia.

This workshop is provided by

Already in 1925 a group of dedicated people of the South West African civil society with different European backgrounds and languages founded an institution which should fill the scientific vacuum in the country. In those early years there were no “official” institutions as for example the University of Namibia. Currently Namibia Scientific Society is the most prominent representative of civil society, distributing fact-based information and knowledge, promoting research and networking and providing a platform for debate and presentation by and for scientists from abroad as well as regional and local.

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The University of Namibia (UNAM) is the largest and leading National institution of higher education in the country. It is a diverse institution with a student population from 43 countries, and from all continents. Although a relatively young university, it has grown to support a student population of 24,759 this year.