News & Events

From 5 to 9 February 2018, libraries across the world will be involved in the Colour Our Collections Week. The ASCL Library, invites you to take part by downloading, colouring and sharing a picture from our unique and distinctive collection. Pictures will be available to download on this website and in hard copy within the library.

The ASCL Library has acquired access to three important databases containing information about Africa from the years 1540 (!) to 1985. Main focus is on history and culture. The ASCL has also acquired access to large African newspaper databases, containing among other things a complete digital set of the famous South African newspaper Rand Daily Mail. 

On Friday 19 January some thirty representatives of the societal partners of the ASCL attended the yearly Societal Panel Day. Representatives from ministries, knowledge platforms, NGOs, the diaspora, the private sector, the media and LeidenGlobal were invited to discuss the relevance of the African Studies Centre Leiden for society. The ASCL would like to thank all partners for their highly useful contributions during this inspiring day.

The ASCL is thrilled and relieved that Dr Merera Gudina has been released from prison in Ethiopia. Dr Merera is a political scientist and chairman of the Oromo Federalist Congress in Ethiopia, a legal opposition party. He was arrested on 1 December 2016. Dr Merera has been a visiting scholar to the African Studies Centre Leiden twice. We wish him a warm reunion with his family and loved ones.