Sara Kinsbergen’s Post

It’s four years since we started transforming our AMID Young Professional program into an online international study program, opening our doors to young professionals across the world. Since that time, 44 young professionals living and working outside the Netherlands have been participating in our traineeship program together with trainees based in the Netherlands. All of them working in 35 different organisations in India, Nigeria, Tanzania, DRC, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Senegal and, of course, in Kenya; the country where we started this change process together with the Institute of Development Studies of the University of Nairobi. Saturday April 20th, we will have our first AMID Young Professional alumni event in Nairobi. Join us to celebrate, to reconnect, to meet new people and to share your AMID experiences so we can take your learnings along. Venue: University of Nairobi Main Campus, University of Nairobi Tower 5th Floor, VIP Lounge Time: 2:30 pm-4:30 pm EAT In case you want to join us or want to know more about the program, send an e-mail to Grace Muraya (grace.muraya@uonbi.ac.ke) We are very much looking forward seeing you there! Radboud University RCSW: Radboud Centrum Sociale Wetenschappen University of Nairobi

Of ik met het onafhankelijk magazine Vox (Radboud University) in gesprek wilde over ‘de situatie op onze afdeling’?  Het najaar van vorig jaar was de Radboud Universiteit en ook de afdeling Culturele Antropologie en Ontwikkelingsstudies, waar ik sinds de zomer afdelingsvoorzitter van ben, onderwerp van mediaberichtgeving over sociale onveiligheid. Na de berichtgeving kwamen we als afdeling terecht in een turbulente periode. Opnieuw de media de spotlight laten plaatsen op onze afdeling voelde dan ook als kwetsbaar. Want, kan je wel recht doen aan een complex verhaal waarin ieder eigen ervaringen heeft? Was het niet beter het in stilte voorbij te laten gaan? Ik koos ervoor om toch het gesprek aan te gaan met Mathijs Noij en Ken Lambeets. Omdat ik weet dat het verhaal van onze afdeling en onze universiteit niet op zichzelf staat en denk dat we met elkaar moeten leren van deze ervaringen zodat we in het hier en nu en in de toekomst van de universitaire wereld een plek maken waar mensen ‘op hun gemak’ kunnen werken aan onderwijs en onderzoek waar de wereld beter van wordt.  Meer weten over ons verhaal? Lees hier het artikel, met veel dank voor de integere werkwijze van Mathijs en Ken.

“We have to rethink how we shape our role as universities and academics these days”, that is what I state in an interview with Martine Zwets published on Radboud Recharge of Radboud University.  I am not claiming we have to radically change the core business of universities, however, I do think that current times require of universities to play a way more active, urgent role in the change processes we are facing as society. Over the past years, many universities changed their mission, vision and belonging narrative into this direction (roughly something as: "we want to make a significant impact, by generating and sharing knowledge that provide solutions to complex problems”); one of the reasons why I feel at home in Radboud University. However, I also experience that to get from the ‘talking’ to the actual ‘doing’ still some radical (mental) systems changes are required. Interested to read more on the bottlenecks I see, but also why I am overall positive on the ‘future readiness’ of universities? Read more in the interview below (both in English and Dutch).

Truly great job in great organisation, for people that are committed to change the way we go about international solidarity-international cooperation: Program Coordinator at Wilde Ganzen for Giving for Change. https://lnkd.in/e2KWaRXJ

To me, January-February is always a bit of a strange period. At the end of January, we always say goodbye to a great group of AMID Young Professional trainees, ready to conquer global challenges as change agents. And only one week later, we already welcome the next fresh cohort of trainees, eagerly looking at us, ready to be overwhelmed by a new learning adventure. While hectic at times, it is exactly this cycle of ‘waving and welcoming’ that always makes me hopeful about the present and the future of our world. When we, with our great partner the Institute of Development Studies of the University of Nairobi, transformed AMID in 2021 in an online, international education program, we did so because we believe that learning from diversity is preconditional for all professionals working in the field of international cooperation/sustainable development. I can tell you: not an easy ambition to realise! But step by step, with the support of many great organisations working with us, our 26th cohort of trainees comes from all directions; in terms of where they were born, where they live and work, what they studied,... Can you imagine the magic this will result in in class and in the organisations where all of them work? We are ready to rumble again! Look at these great partners we are working with this year, some longstanding, some brand new: Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken Triodos Bank Wilde Ganzen Palladium: Make It Possible Women Environmental Programme (WEP) Free Press Unlimited Liliane Fonds TEKAN Peace Desk Cheshire Disability Services Kenya WECF International AMREF FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank Partner Africa Act Change Transform NAYA Kenya Kerk in Actie VICTORIA FRIENDLY MONTESSORI CBO Katiba Institute (KI) Aidsfonds Edukans VNO-NCW CNV Internationaal African Woman Global Network International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam PUM Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation University of Nairobi Radboud University RCSW: Radboud Centrum Sociale Wetenschappen

One week after my inaugural lecture, I feel: Grateful, very grateful, for the openness with which my lecture has been received; Humbled to learn what my words mean to people;  Strengthened in my conviction that we should never shy away from playing the part you feel, deep inside your heart, you are here to play. For those that missed my inaugural lecture, you can watch the recordings here: https://lnkd.in/e9rYdxzK For those that don’t speak Dutch: since this story comes from my heart, I needed my mother tongue to express myself. I have been told that the English subtitles in the presentation at times took the liberty for some freewheeling :). The written version of my lecture, to be shared soon, will be available in, I promise, proper English.    Wilde Ganzen Radboud University RCSW: Radboud Centrum Sociale Wetenschappen CAOS Nijmegen

"Voila, this is who I am, what I stand for, this is the story I want to tell.” With these words I ended my inaugural lecture yesterday on the occasion of my appointment as special professor. Wauw, what a joy it was to see so many great people joining me for this very special occasion, in Nijmegen or online. For me, this title, this appointment comes with a responsibility, an assignment. An assignment that I do not take lightly. I see it as my duty to carry this title 'for the greater good'. Meaning this title is not there to make me any bigger, but to make messages sound louder and reach further. It asks of me that I share my stage with people and organisations that are less easily seen or heard. That I will stand for the changes I believe in and will help build them in a constructive manner, inside and outside the university and especially at that intersection. And please, do remind me of this vow in case you feel I am getting off track. On one of the pictures, you see the inside of my gown. With an image of Bob Ross, he is there to remind me of and support me in always keeping the underdog in myself alive and to always keep an eye for the underdog. I am forever grateful for all the support I received. And now, let’s rumble with that chair/leerstoel, ik heb er kei veel zin in! [for those interested: a written version of my inaugural lecture, in English, and the recordings will be shared soon] Made possible by Wilde Ganzen RCSW: Radboud Centrum Sociale Wetenschappen Advanced Master in International Development (AMID) CAOS Nijmegen Radboud University Nijmegen

With the last fireworks that have just burst into the sky to celebrate the start of 2024, it is time for a different cup of firework, at least if you ask Rina Molenaar (director of Woord en Daad) and myself. In the first episode of the brand-new podcast serie 'Levenslang activist’ (Lifelong activist) of Vice Versa and Partos, we reflect on why and how (re)winning the hearts and minds of Dutch citizens for international solidarity. Both of us experience (positive) changing tides when it comes to the importance attached to global citizenship in the Netherlands and are hopeful that all the great solidarity initiatives undertaken by a wide diversity of actors can result in a spectacular and crucial firework for the greater good. Interested to learn more on our ideas and on how Woord en Daad is engaging with its supporters? You can listen to the podcast here (in Dutch). Many thanks to Marc Broere (Vice Versa) for the interview and Sera Koolmees (Partos) for all the support. https://lnkd.in/eNWHtncW

My 2023 wrapped... ‘What a year it was’, not quite sure if this is a proper way to summarize this year; a year in which we faced (are facing) complex challenges close to home and far away, challenges that most often cross geographical borders and in that way demonstrate the interconnectedness of communities worldwide. To me, it is therefore clearer than ever that we need each and everyone one of us, now, to play a part in the different issues we are facing as global community. And in that way, 2023 was also a year of hope to me. I had the great opportunity to meet so many great individuals, groups of people, professionals, organisations that are committed to actively contribute to a world that is more just, inclusive or green; each in their very own way. I highlight a few of these ‘rays of hope’ I came across: - the 800 geography teachers during the annual day of the KNAG (Koninklijk Nederlands Aardrijkskundig Genootschap) (Royal Dutch geography Society), coming together to reflect on their role in “A world in Transition”. When I stated that ‘A better world starts with geography teachers’, none of them blinked, but discussed: how then to best go about this? - the hundreds of youngsters that joined our open day of our Radboud University bachelor in Anthropology and development studies being clearly committed to make choices in line with their willingness to live meaningful lives. - the multiple conversations I had with a wide diversity of organisations in the field of international development that is fundamentally revising the way they go about their work in times of decolonizing development, in times when international solidarity is under pressure. Anything but easy to radically transform, but genuine willingness is there. (and these are only a few of those hopeful encounters I experienced this year) My wrapped song for 2023? I do not dear to say ‘Everything’s gonna be ok' (Bob Marley), but looking at all that commitment I can wholeheartedly say/sing 'Things Can Only Get Better' (D:Ream) (promise to listen to this song again, so far I did not come across fellow fans). Wishing all of you nothing but the best for 2024!

Quite a bit of my time I spend on coming up with titles. Yes, titles. For scientific publications, lectures, presentations, … You can say: Sara, a title is just a title. But for me, there is more to it. It should cover the core message or call to action I am trying to bring across. So, when I started thinking of the title of my inaugural lecture, not an everyday activity, I took a deep dive into the last (and first) 15 years of my professional career: what have I been doing, in research, in education, who am I as a professional, how did I evolve over the years and most of all: what did I learn and what do I plan to work on in the coming years? In all that, I looked for the common thread. And then I knew it! I titled my inaugural lecture, on the occasion of my appointment as professor by special appointment: “The appeal of the underdog: on the role of citizens in sustainable development.” Please find below the invitation for my inaugural lecture (Thursday, January 18, 3.45pm CET) and the registration link (www.ru.nl/rede/kinsbergen). Are you not around but interested in joining? Online participation is possible! It would be great to see you there and join me in this soul-searching on the role of underdogs. Made by: Wilde Ganzen Radboud University Faculty of Social Sciences RCSW: Radboud Centrum Sociale Wetenschappen CAOS Nijmegen