During the dialogue, we will watch the film “The Principal’s Fight” by Researcher and Associate Professor Sidylamine Bagayoko (University of Bamako, Mali) and start the discussion with reflections by Dr Papa Sow (Senior Researcher, NAI). The dialogue engages in new research from Bagayoko’s project on "The process of transformation of community schools in public schools in Mali". We will explore the conditions of the existence of community schools in Sabalibougou and the role of education in combatting poverty. Particular attention will be given to the challenges in the relationships between the government and local populations. Not least as the government of Mali promised to transform all the community schools into public schools in 2010. However, more than ten years later, 2/3 of community schools remain unchanged, managed by local communities, and facing the same problems in both urban and rural areas.

Fika will be served downstairs in the NAI Library after the event.

The dialogue series is organised by Pax et Bellum and Uppsala Peace and Development Students' Association (UPaD), in collaboration with the Nordic Africa Institute (NAI). No membership is required and the event is open to the public.