Inspiring Stephen Ellis Annual Lecture by Prof. Muna Ndulo

Prof. Muna Ndulo from Cornell University gave an inspiring lecture on 17 November on the topic of Ethnicity, Diversity, Inclusivity and Constitution Making in Africa. See the pictures below!

In his introductory speech ASCL director Ton Dietz announced the Stephen Ellis Chair in Finance and Integrity from early 2017, and appointed several former Library staff members as Honorary Associates of the ASCL Community. 

Jan-Bart Gewald, Chair of the ASCL Researchers' Assembly and chair of the evening, honoured the memory of Stephen Ellis as a fervent believer in the rule of law and justice for all. 

In his lecture Prof. Ndulo pointed to the fact that many of the first constitutions in Africa were made by colonial powers, which merged several racial or ethnic groups into a unitary state framework. In the period following independence, many countries adopted amendments to entrench the executive in the constitutional models bequeathed to them by their colonizers, leaving many citizens disempowered and marginalized.

In the post-1989 period people started to make demands for inclusive constitutions, for participation. Constitution making should be a national process, Prof. Ndulo stressed: inclusive, transparent. He also stressed the need for watch dog institutions, like an Ombudsman, that are accessible for the people, and the need for devolution of powers to provinces and local communities in order to get more democratic, inclusive, and participatory forms of government. 'Political participation should not be limited to elections but should be promoted throughout the governing process.' Read the full lecture.