Sociocultural Aspects of Development
Ebook – 3rd EJICPLP Africa: A ciência para a realização dos Objectivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável da Agenda 2030
Abstract:
It is with great pleasure that we present the outcomes of the 3rd Meeting of Young Researchers from the CPLP on Africa, held in Luanda on 27 and 28 March 2024. This event, which has already established itself as a key platform for science and development within the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), brought together more than 700 participants around the theme “Science for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda,” fostering a fertile environment for the exchange of ideas, reflections, and collaborations.
With around 30 speakers, including senior researchers, experts, and high-level national and international institutional representatives from various fields of study, eight thematic panels were discussed to deepen knowledge about Africa and its sustainable development, particularly in the areas of Tourism, Energy, Education, Economy, and African Women. The event addressed critical issues related to poverty eradication, environmental protection, and social prosperity. This edition highlighted the role of science in transforming African realities, reflecting on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the context of the Global South.
The importance of this Meeting goes beyond the impressive number of participants or the lively discussions that marked the two days of activities. The event is a unique scientific forum for young people across the CPLP and brings together a vibrant network of researchers in an itinerant and innovative format. It represents the collective effort of young researchers to give voice to issues that directly affect the development and future of their countries, reinforcing the scientific leadership of CPLP youth.
In this edition, 35 scientific papers by young researchers were presented, selected from among the 65 papers received through the Call for Papers, by a Scientific Committee composed of 30 professors from various universities in CPLP countries.
This book is more than a simple collection of articles; it represents the dedication of young researchers who strive to redefine the role of science in their societies. Through the discussions and analyses presented here, we hope not only to inspire new debates, but also to encourage concrete actions in support of inclusive and sustainable development in CPLP countries.
With the crucial support of the Centre for African and Development Studies (CEsA) and partner organisations such as Angola’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Felcos Umbria, this edition also demonstrates the value of collaboration and international partnerships essential to the success of this project.
We hope these pages offer an enriching perspective on the scientific contributions of Portuguese-speaking youth, as well as concrete actions towards inclusive and sustainable development, particularly in the PALOP countries.
We believe this book marks a milestone on the path towards a more open, collaborative, and transformative science.
Cite this e-book:
D’Abril, Cristina Molares e Jessica Falconi (2024). “III EJICPLP África: A ciência para a realização dos Objectivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável da Agenda 2030”. ISBN: 978-989-54687-6-8
Mundo Crítico # 11: Mulheres, Poder e Lideranças
Abstract:
While it is widely recognised that equitable participation in political life is essential to development processes, data from across the globe unfortunately show that women remain underrepresented at all levels of decision-making, and gender parity in political life is still far from being achieved.
Women’s relationship with power and their possibilities of accessing leadership positions are marked by a constant negotiation between the private and public spheres, regardless of their context of action.
This issue of Mundo Crítico offers a critical and diverse reading—both geographically and historically—on the ways in which relationships between women, power, and different forms of leadership are articulated. The aim is to foster a more nuanced understanding of the mechanisms and values underpinning the functioning of societies.
In the Imperfect Conversation, historians Ana Paula Tavares and Patrícia Godinho Gomes discuss the everyday challenges faced by women in African countries, focusing on the concept of generation and the importance of female participation in the process of building today’s independent nations.
Other contributions reflect on the global difficulties women face in accessing power, and how their political participation also takes shape in more informal contexts—spaces where they create conditions for their own survival.
The photo essay For a New Tchiloli by Dário Pequeno Paraíso shows how tradition can be reinvented and renewed, presenting portraits of young women from São Tomé and Príncipe who reinterpret one of the archipelago’s most iconic cultural expressions through a female lens.
Cite this Journal:
ACEP & CEsA (2025). “Mulheres, Poder e Lideranças”. ISEG/CEsA – Centro de Estudos sobre África e Desenvolvimento. Revista Mundo Crítico nº 11 (Jan 2025). ISSN 2184-1926
Working Paper 201/2025: A Glance at International Challenges of Refugee Crises in the New Millenium
Abstract:
This study investigates the intricate relationship between forced displacement and human development. By examining refugee outflows from key regions, this paper seeks to comprehend the factors driving these movements and their development implications. Employing a qualitative case study methodology, the research focuses on the five main refugee outflow countries in 2023. The paper finds that the most relevant factors that induce displacement are political violence, especially civil conflict, and climate change. Refugee emergencies have multiple aggravating elements, like economic crises, food insecurity, and infrastructure damage. Despite not identifying strong correlations between displacement and human development (measured through HDI), except for Syria, the study reveals that these emergencies are simultaneously humanitarian and developmental challenges. Repercussions are more prominent in the Global South since it is the origin and the destination of over 70% of displaced people. The findings reiterate the urgency for integrated policy responses that combine development and humanitarian efforts.
Cite this Working Paper:
Rocha, Marcela e Eduardo Moraes Sarmento (2025). “A glance at international challenges of refugee crises in the new millenium”. CEsA/CGS – Documentos de trabalho nº 201/2025
Brief Paper 1/2024: Reposicionamento do activismo político e social em Moçambique: Uma análise conjecturando a eclosão de conflitos sociopolíticos
Abstract:
This Brief Paper discusses the repositioning of political and social activism in Mozambique within a context heavily characterised by the active participation of citizens in the 2023 elections, a stark contrast to previous elections, which were largely marked by weak political and social activism. In this context, the Brief Paper argues that this repositioning is linked to the fact that the Mozambican population has acquired a new political and social awareness, marked by a quest for truth and authenticity in their leaders. This repositioning also reflects the population’s readiness to confront state power and entails two domains of analysis with harmful consequences for the Mozambican government: the domestic domain and the external domain. This occurs because the population increasingly shows a diminished fear of repression carried out by the police and military. Moreover, this repositioning has highlighted the existence of a latent and ongoing conflict between the current Mozambican government and the 1990–2000 generation. Methodologically, two tools supported this analysis: bibliographical techniques and documentary analysis. Theoretically, the Brief Paper is grounded in Maslow’s Basic Needs Theory, combined with the Frustration-Aggression Theory from conflict studies. Finally, the conjectures presented in this Brief Paper suggest that the current Frelimo government has lost legitimacy in the eyes of the people, particularly among the 1990–2000 generation. However, there are also conjectures based on the assumption that Frelimo retains legitimacy through two analytical perspectives: a traditional perspective and an institutional perspective. These two perspectives complement each other and justify Frelimo’s continued hold on power.
Cite this Brief Paper:
Chisseve, Delton (2024). “Reposicionamento do activismo político e social em Moçambique : uma análise conjecturando a eclosão de conflitos sociopolíticos”. CEsA/CGS – Brief Papers nº 1/2024
Mundo Crítico n.º 10: Desenvolvimento e paz em tempos de conflitos
Abstract:
In the face of growing polarisation and the proliferation of conflicts worldwide, it is imperative to reflect on the state of the world and seek collective solutions and pathways to peace. Development Cooperation can serve as a means of fostering dialogue and action, playing a role in the search for positive and constructive responses to promote peace and sustainable development on a global scale. However, as Sara De Simone and Pedro Rosa Mendes emphasise in the opening “imperfect conversation” of this issue, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. It is crucial to involve all stakeholders — both formal and informal actors — in dialogue for peace and reconciliation, prioritising solutions derived from endogenous processes.
Current conflicts, especially those that are highly mediatised and have significant global repercussions, such as the war in Ukraine and the Middle East, have devastating consequences for affected populations and regional stability. Beyond these, prolonged tensions and conflicts in other parts of the world, particularly in African countries, also have destabilising effects at both regional and global levels.
In this tenth edition of Mundo Crítico – Journal of Development and Cooperation, we examine how development processes are influenced by war and latent conflicts. We ask whether “underdevelopment” is genuinely a threat or if a narrative has taken root, dividing the world into zones prone to violence on its periphery and zones of peace at its decision-making centres. As a cross-cutting theme, migration emerges, highlighting the increasing instrumentalisation of the phenomenon and concessions to far-right rhetoric, particularly within the European Union.
This edition also includes a reflection on the role of women in dialogue and action for building lasting peace, the future of fragile states —many of which are victims of climate change, the pandemic, and “proxy conflicts” reminiscent of the Cold War — and the role of cities in rural conflict zones, such as Pemba in Mozambique.
The photographic essay in this issue explores the walls (still) standing across different continents, from Brazil to the Middle East, accentuating the division of the world and the disparities in who has the right to move freely. Finally, in a more journalistic tone, we address water-related conflicts and the neglect of Africa by major global news organisations.
Cite this Journal:
ACEP & CEsA (2024). “Desenvolvimento e paz em tempos de conflitos”. ISEG/CEsA – Centro de Estudos sobre África e Desenvolvimento. Revista Mundo Crítico nº 10 (Jun 2024). ISSN 2184-1926.
Mundo Crítico n.º 9: Representações do mundo no mundo das representações
Abstract:
The ninth edition of Mundo Crítico aims to critically analyse issues related to representations of the world and the relationships between the production and construction of visual and written narratives about the “other(s)”. This focus primarily, though not exclusively, stems from the field of “development support” organisations and journalism.
The edition opens with an “imperfect conversation” between Portuguese journalist António Rodrigues and Guinean activist and community leader Miguel de Barros. They discuss the need to bring forth a different idea of peripheries and alternative narratives, as well as the spectacle often made of cooperation and development.
The Knowledge and Circumstances section begins with Spanish journalist Alfonso Armada’s reflection on our society, drawing on Guy Debord’s warning about the transformation of politics and history into spectacles for consumption. Mozambican journalist Zenaida Machado sheds light on the situation in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, where the plight of its people remains largely outside the “lens of international journalistic coverage,” overshadowed by the risks to multimillion-dollar investments in the region. From Guinea-Bissau, researcher Sumaila Jaló examines irregular migration through life stories turned into music, aiming to deconstruct prevailing perceptions of this reality. This section also features a reflection on the role of education for development and global citizenship, based on the Sinergias ED project, written by four researchers involved in the initiative. Finally, ACEP President Fátima Proença presents 10 proposals to change how NGOs communicate with society, striving for ethically grounded new narratives and information.
In Ways of Seeing, Mozambican photographer Yassmin Forte, winner of the 2023 Contemporary African Photography Prize, shares a photo essay inspired by her family’s history, beginning on the dance floor in Quelimane, Mozambique. Researcher Livia Apa explores how Senegalese television series contribute to portraying the country, while community leader Paulo Mendes reflects on the diaspora’s role in reshaping narratives about racism and the coloniser/colonised dichotomy.
In Innovations, we highlight an initiative by the Norwegian Fund for Students and Researchers that challenges the fundraising campaigns of international organisations. Meanwhile, in Graphic Echoes, illustrator Amanda Baeza offers a “two-act piece” bridging Chile and Portugal.
Finally, in Showcase, São Toméan audiovisual producer Katya Aragão and Guinean communication specialist Luana Pereira delve into books dedicated to hand-painted advertising in their respective countries, authored by a Polish graphic designer and researcher. They write inspired by and about these works.
The edition concludes with Leonor Teixeira’s review of a recent BOND guide on how NGO images should be used, always with the subjects in mind. The cover is by Guinean visual artist Nú Barreto, who created the piece especially for this edition. Happy reading!
Cite this Journal:
ACEP & CEsA (2023). “Representações do mundo no mundo das representações”. ISEG/CEsA – Centro de Estudos sobre África e Desenvolvimento. Revista Mundo Crítico nº 9 (Dez 2023). ISSN 2184-1926.
Mundo Crítico n.º 8: A cultura no sonho de justiça e de liberdade
Abstract:
In a turbulent world, the wisdom of our role models becomes even more crucial. When we recall the teachings of Amílcar Cabral, we realise how the global is intrinsically local. We hear about personality in terms of stance, behaviour, leadership, and charisma. These qualities emerge in the videos, photos, or recordings that captured the man, in the analyses shared by many, or even in the recognition of a BBC poll that ranked him among the most influential figures in contemporary global history. Yet, it is through reading his writings that young people today can truly grasp the intricate details of his character.
Cabral was not just a poet; he was a dreamer. Not just a guerrilla leader; he was a strategist. Not just a diplomat; he was a mobiliser. Not just a leader; he was a thinker. Not just a teacher; he was a custodian. Too many qualities for a single individual? Yet such is the nature of extraordinary people. They have flaws too; they are human, but they leave an indelible mark for being unique. And for bringing us hope.
In difficult times, we look in the rear-view mirror — a natural reaction for those who navigate an unclear future without clear boundaries or controlled speed. The past seems easier to interpret, though it was not necessarily easier to endure or confront.
After all, what could be harder to change today than what Cabral faced in his youth?
Organising a colonised people from nothing, in a marginalised territory, against an army that once had over 20,000 troops on the frontlines, equipped with significant air support, NATO logistics, and the diplomatic backing of powerful nations. Achieving a transcendental victory: paving the way for the liberation of Guinea and Cape Verde, fostering unity in Angola’s liberation movement, sparking a rebellion that ultimately dismantled fascism in Portugal, and inspiring a new wave of Pan-Africanist and revolutionary thought.
To his exceptional organisational skills, we must add his theoretical contributions. Examples include his conceptualisation of culture’s role in liberation, later expanded in Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed; his transformation of the Marxist reading of class struggle to depict how a subjugated people embody a national class in their anti-colonial struggle—a thesis more sophisticated than the simplistic version of Kwame Nkrumah; his metaphorical interpretation of the ambiguous role of the petty bourgeoisie—today we might say the elites—in the post-colonial period, as agents of alienated practices, a notion further developed psychologically by Frantz Fanon; or his elaboration of a new concept of unity, attainable only through what he called revolutionary praxis—a stance for his time’s movements, distinct from the shallow populism underpinning many of today’s dissenters.
All of this, while speaking to peasants with the same ease he displayed on global platforms. To some, he used examples drawn from their simple daily lives — pots, land, homes, or forests — and to others, he offered the popular wisdom of African proverbs and riddles as a point of connection to that same reality.
Cabral wielded a magic in his words, employing comparisons, metaphors, and, above all, demonstrating through them a deep respect for others — without distinction by rank, gender, or race, as we would phrase it today.
May his life’s example and legacy help us to keep hope alive.
Cite this Journal:
ACEP & CEsA (2022). “A cultura no sonho de justiça e de liberdade”. ISEG/CEsA – Centro de Estudos sobre África e Desenvolvimento. Revista Mundo Crítico nº 8 (Dez 2022). ISSN 2184-1926.
Mundo Crítico n.º 7: Ambiente e desenvolvimento: entre a utopia e a urgência
Abstract:
The overexploitation of the planet’s resources and unsustainable consumption habits have been causing environmental impacts that already constitute a true environmental emergency. One of its most visible manifestations is the unprecedented rise in global temperatures, leading to irreversible damage. In 2021, the international community gathered in Glasgow at COP26, where the climate emergency and the urgent need to phase out fossil fuel exploitation were acknowledged. However, the final agreement fell short of the required ambition.
According to calculations by civil society organizations, the agreed measures will limit warming to 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, surpassing the “red lines” of safety. Among the most affected are small island states and many developing countries, which have contributed the least to the current crisis. The upcoming COP27, to be held in Egypt, represents a crucial opportunity for many Africans.
In this edition, we discuss the challenges and emergencies related to development, the environment, and climate. We begin with an “imperfect conversation” between two experts with extensive experience in Africa and Latin America.
The “Knowledge and Circumstances” section includes a reflection by Luís Fazendeiro on “North”/”Global South” inequalities, an analysis by Romy Chevallier and Alex Benkenstein on the EU-AU Summit and climate (in)justice, and Patrícia Magalhães Ferreira’s critique of incoherent policies in these areas. This is followed by insights into experiences in São Tomé and Príncipe (Jorge Carvalho), Mozambique (Mariam Abbas and Natacha Bruna), and Guinea-Bissau (Aissa Regalla de Barros). The section concludes with a reflection on nature and climate by Flora Pereira da Silva.
In “Ways of Seeing”, Portuguese photographer Mário Cruz revisits the Pasig River in the heart of Manila, describing it as “an example of the dangerous path humanity is on.” One of his photos serves as the cover of this issue, as well as the centerfold.
The “Narratives” feature stories by Portuguese journalist Vanessa Rodrigues about the mobilization of rural women in Guinea-Bissau, Mozambican journalist Armando Nhantumbo’s account of how mega-projects are pushing populations into poverty, and environmentalist Sofia Guedes Vaz’s bicycle adventure to COP26.
In “Innovations”, Ana Filipa Oliveira introduces Fakebook-ECO, an initiative aimed at combating environmental disinformation.
Ukrainian illustrator Viktoriya Kurmayeva provides a visual depiction of “Mother Nature,” and in “Escaparate”, we recommend two reports: one on financing (presented by Rita Cavaco) and another on climate (by Tomás Nogueira). Happy reading!
Cite this Journal:
ACEP & CEsA (2022). “Ambiente e desenvolvimento: entre a utopia e a urgência”. ISEG/CEsA – Centro de Estudos sobre África e Desenvolvimento. Revista Mundo Crítico nº 7 (Jul 2022). ISSN 2184-1926.
Mundo Crítico n.º 6: Espaço cívico: expressões de liberdade e criatividade
Abstract:
Civic space is one of the central pillars of democracies. The level of freedom with which citizens organize, participate, and intervene in society is a key indicator of the quality of civic space and democracy. In recent years, we have witnessed a progressive shrinking of civic space on a global scale. This has taken explicit forms, such as criminalizing the work of NGOs, persecuting activists, reducing channels of dialogue with state structures, or undermining public trust in NGOs. More subtle measures, like funding restrictions, have also played a role. The pandemic has exacerbated this trend, and in many parts of the world, under the pretext of protecting public health, civic space has faced significant setbacks.
In light of these developments, this edition of Mundo Crítico brings together reflections on the challenges facing the various spheres of civic space, exploring its multiple dimensions and how NGOs and other groups strive to overcome obstacles and expand their reach. The issue opens with a conversation between human rights professor Antoine Buyse and Mozambican activist Zenaida Machado about the challenges and potential of civic space.
The “Knowledge and Circumstances section” begins with an analysis by Marianna Belalba Barreto from the civil society alliance CIVICUS on the degree of openness in civic space. It is followed by an assessment of the experience of the Arab Spring through the perspective of someone who lived through Tahrir Square in Egypt 10 years ago, and an article by Mário Rui Marçal on Mosaiko’s contributions to building civic space in Angola. Another perspective on Angola is offered by journalist Domingos da Cruz, who addresses press freedom, and Miguel de Barros and Redy Wilson explore new expressions of citizenship in Praia and Bissau. Closing the dossier, journalist João Pedro Pereira warns of the “new dictators” of technology, and Paulo Illes and Patricia Gainza share insights from the World Social Forum on Migrations.
In “Ways of Seeing”, we are guided by Mohamed Keita to Mali, where, together with a group of young people, he has been photographing daily life as a starting point for education and cultural growth. The “Narratives” section includes stories by Livia Apa, about a Nigerian women’s theater group in Rome, and Paulo Daio, who reflects on the experience of the Kwame Sousa School in São Tomé and Príncipe.
In the “Innovations” section, writer Ondjaki highlights initiatives promoting reading in Luanda, and Eddie Avila discusses a project focused on reframing narratives. “Illustrator” José Smith Vargas occupies the pages of “Ecos Gráficos” in this edition, which concludes, as always, with the “Escaparate” section offering further reading suggestions.
Cite this Journal:
ACEP & CEsA (2021). “Espaço cívico: expressões de liberdade e criatividade”. ISEG/CEsA – Centro de Estudos sobre África e Desenvolvimento. Revista Mundo Crítico nº 6 (Out 2021). ISSN 2184-1926.
Mundo Crítico n.º 5: Falar de desigualdades, falar de injustiças
Abstract:
Is there no development without reducing inequalities? Or does worsening inequality not matter as long as poverty decreases and the majority’s situation improves? How do the various dimensions of inequality interconnect and reinforce one another? Do those involved in international cooperation have the legitimacy to intervene in such a fundamentally political domain, and how should they do so?
These were some of the questions that guided the creation of this edition of Mundo Crítico – Journal of Development and Cooperation, which, during its editorial selection process, was overtaken by the current pandemic crisis. COVID-19 has made it even more urgent to address inequalities — now more visible both within and between countries — forcing a reevaluation of key questions to answer the pressing inquiry: what now?
This edition begins with an “imperfect conversation” between Mozambican sociologist Elísio Macamo and Portuguese economist Rogério Roque Amaro, who both agree that inequality is fundamentally an issue of injustice. In the deeper reflection section, “Knowledge and Circumstances”, contributions include an analysis by Pedro Conceição, director of the Human Development Report Office at UNDP, and Pol Morillas, director of the Catalan think tank CIDOB, offering insights on current times and what lies ahead. Philosopher Viriato Soromenho-Marques explores the connection between the “environmental wreckage” and inequalities, while Brazilian researcher Luana Pinheiro discusses gender inequalities in the context of the pandemic. The dossier also features an analysis by sociologist Renato Miguel do Carmo on the labor market as an “inequality maker” and by researcher Daniel Roedel on development dependency. The section concludes with a piece by researcher Iolanda Évora on Afrodescendence and Europe in the 21st century.
The “Ways of Seeing” section focuses on People, through photographs by Adriano Miranda and Paulo Pimenta, documenting the profound asymmetries within a European country. In the “Narratives” section, journalist António Rodrigues delves into Hinacenda and the Herero people of Angola, Vanessa Rodrigues discusses the Mafalala Museum, and Vasco Veloso shares reflections as an international cooperation consultant.
In the “Innovations” section, the African Innovation Summit is introduced by one of its mentors, Cape Verdean economist José Brito, and Carlos Sangreman shares the experience of the Observatory of Rights in Guinea-Bissau. In “Ecos Gráficos”, illustrator Inês Cóias addresses the theme of rampant greed in The Little Entrepreneur. Finally, the “Escaparate” section offers additional reading suggestions on this topic.
Cite this Journal:
ACEP & CEsA (2020). “Falar de desigualdades, falar de injustiças”. ISEG/CEsA – Centro de Estudos sobre África e Desenvolvimento. Revista Mundo Crítico nº 5 (Out 2020). ISSN 2184-1926.
