UB Hosts UN Special Rapporteur for Consultative Meeting on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
The University of Botswana (UB) recently hosted the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Dr Albert K. Barume, for a consultative meeting with researchers at the UB Library Committee Room.
The engagement, organised in partnership with the San Research Centre (SRC), brought together UB scholars and partner institutions to deliberate on the state of human rights for Indigenous Peoples in Botswana. Discussions centred on land rights, access to education and health services, cultural preservation and socio-economic marginalisation as well as progress achieved and areas needing urgent attention.
In her opening remarks, UB Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, Professor Doreen Ramogola-Masire, welcomed the delegation and emphasised the role of UB research centres in addressing societal needs. She noted that the San Research Centre, host of the dialogue, served as a platform for impactful research while nurturing the legacy of “Motho le Motho Kgomo,” the communal effort that built the University.
Presenting an overview of the Centre’s work, Director of the San Research Centre, Professor Maitseo Bolaane, highlighted its uniqueness in being led by San researchers in collaboration with UB scholars. She stressed that the model enhanced authenticity, credibility and ensured Indigenous perspectives remained central to academic and policy discussions.
In his consultations, Dr Barume underscored the importance of academic research in shaping both national and global understanding of Indigenous Peoples’ lived realities. He called on researchers to share evidence of both challenges and positive developments, noting that their findings would inform his forthcoming reports to the UN Human Rights Council.
Chief of the Groups and Accountability Section at the UN Commission for Human Rights (CHR), Mr Karim Ghezraoui, commended UB for convening the dialogue. He stressed that strong partnerships between academia, civil society and international bodies were vital in advancing Indigenous rights and ensuring accountability.