Alumni Exchange change - Universiteit Antwerpen

Exchange
 to change

# 48 September 2021
 Alumni
 magazine

Contents
 Dear students,
To contact us: 4 ALUMNI APPLAUSE
 This is my last introduction to the Exchange to Change as As a ‘development policy institute’ (what is in a word?), we
IOB - University of Antwerp Congratulations to all alumni for all the hard work they have done! the chair of IOB. Next time, you will probably read the wise are questioned into the depths of our souls by these life-
Lange St.-Annastraat 7 words of Danny Cassimon, who will take over my assignment threatening challenges. What kind of ‘development’ are we
2000 Antwerp 7 IN THE MEANTIME AT IOB following our principle of rotative leadership in our actually looking for? What kind of ‘development policies’
 horizontal, collaborative IOB. In my previous introduction, are we promoting? As Achille Mbembe expressed in his talk
 What has been going on lately at IOB? Discover it here! in 2019, I talked about an exceptional -for Belgium- local in ‘Debating Decolonisation’, today it is humanity itself
e-mail: code red for the then tropical temperatures, which we have which is at stake. And it is this stake which we primordially
iob@uantwerpen.be 8 IN THE PICTURE: PHD ANTEA PAVIOTTI not experienced this year, paradoxically due to the same need to address. Along with other scholars, I consider that
 climate crisis. Just a few days ago, the new IPCC report the current development model is intrinsically linked to
website: Antea shares interesting details about her ethnographic work in Burundi, declared a universal ‘code red’ for humanity in the face historical extractivist, race- and gender- based colonial
www.uantwerpen.be/iob explains how she makes use of social media in her research and reflects of the imminent collapse of the planetary ecosystems as exploitation, which also promised (and up to a certain
 on her future ambitions a consequence of threatening climate disruption. This is point also delivered) ‘development’ to the global South,
 not a trivial academic statement, but rather an emerging albeit at the cost of on-going, often violent, unjust and
 12 THIS WAS THE YEAR reality that undeniably affects our own lives, let alone profound societal transformations. Today, this promise
 those of our children and grand-children. As always, the to us all turns out to be an unsustainable mirage. We need
 Funny pictures and memorable quotes about the ACYR 2020-2021 vulnerable and poor of the world are already suffering most, to fundamentally transform and find a way out. And I still
 but recent events have also come to haunt the lives of the believe that we can find a way, even an attractive way out,
 14 THE SPORT OF RESISTANCE: PARIAHS better-off in the so-called ‘developed world’ (sic). Given if we manage to re-invent human life itself, make it more
 AND NATIONAL HEROES the overwhelming importance and urgency of this threat, I convivial (also with nature, of which we are a part) and less
 feel compelled to repeat my message of 2019, but with even dependent on limitless consumption and individualistic
 In this article, we highlight the many faces of sport and show how it has more determination. Also, we need to be very clear that appetite, with technology giving us a helping hand to
 been used to send political messages, speak out against injustice and the climate emergency is not a stand-alone issue and that reduce our footprint on the planet. For sure, the so-called
 bring together warring factions. there are several other planetary boundaries which we have ‘developed people’ (all over the world, and including
 crossed or are on the verge of crossing due to systematic and ourselves) will need quite some ‘development cooperation
 18 ALUMNI PANEL catastrophic overexploitation of the planet (Ripple, et al., and capacity building’ to re-encounter that way. Could there
 2021). There are clear indications that our current capitalist be a role for the IOB community in this crucial endeavour?
 Three alumni talk about their time at IOB, ongoing work and future plans development model, addicted to continuous economic
 growth, extracting and destroying ever more natural (and Johan Bastiaensen
 human) resources, is reaching its expiry date, or -at the very IOB Chair
 least- is due for a fundamental overhaul. Simply switching
 from a fossil fuel-based to a renewables-based model of
 capitalism, though clearly laudable progress in itself, will not
3/2021 • © IOB - Universiteit Antwerpen
 be enough to bring humanity back to safety.
E2C team: Greet Annaert, Ivan Ashaba,
Veronica Brown, Hans De Backer, Sara
Dewachter, Joëlle Dhondt, Mark Kadigo,
Sarah Vancluysen, Juan Sebastian Velez
Triana

 02 EXCHANGE TO CHANGE SEPTEMBER 2021 03

Welc

Alumni applause ome!

 Published In the spotlight
 Alumni Alder Contreras and Diana Tiholaz rejoin IOB but this
 time as our colleagues. They will be involved in PhD research
 and supporting IOB education as teaching assistant and PhD
 researcher. Let’s find out a bit more about Alder and Diana .

 Alumna Abeer Hakouz (training Alumna Rebecca Yohannes (training
 Strengthening National M&E Capacities, Governing for Development, 2010), My name is Alder Miguel Contreras, and I better operationalised to simultaneously
 2018), besides working as a Monitoring Program Manager at Center for joined the IOB team from the 1 September tackle environmental and food security
 & Evaluation Manager at Queen Rania International Private Enterprise (CIPE) as an academic and teaching assistant issues in rural areas of Nicaragua.
 Teacher Academy is also very actively highlighted how CIPE and Asoko Insight under the supervision of Prof. Johan
 My formal teaching experience includes
 involved in supporting the evaluation jointly launched Ethics 1st, an innovative Bastiaensen. I did my Bachelor studies in
 four years as a part-time Instructor Lecturer
 society EvalJordan and in that platform to make compliance easy for Small Applied Economics at the Central American
 and five years as a full-time Associate
 capacity co-organised the IRIPE event Businesses in Africa. The initiative sets out University (UCA-Nicaragua). In my bachelor’s
 Lecturer at UCA-Nicaragua. I was the
 ‘Professionalisation of Evaluation’. Find out to reduce the risk of corruption. dissertation, I focused on the nature and
 designated lecturer for the undergraduate
 more about Abeer’s work and EvalJordan applicability of spatial econometrics as a
 Find out more here: courses on Econometrics, Microeconomics,
 activities on their new website (http://
 evaljordan.org) ... and both in Arabic and http://ow.ly/LcX150G24k3
 research tool to analyse Nicaragua’s local
 and regional poverty levels and their socio-
 Environmental Economics, and Local/
 Territorial Analysis of the Bachelor in
 English! economic determinants. I did my Master
 applied economics. During the last four
 studies at IOB, where I focused on qualitative
 years, I was Nicaragua’s representative in
 and mixed-methods research strategies and
 the Homologous’ Network on Poverty and
 their application in the evaluation of local
 Inequality of the Association of Universities
 development policies. My research interest
 Entrusted to the Society of Jesus in Latin
 in environmental governance structures
 America (AUSJAL). During my time at UCA-
 and the ecosystem services framework also
 Nicaragua, I also had the opportunity to
 started during this period with the guidance
 collaborate with some of IOB’s partner
 of Prof. Gert Van Hecken. I wrote my Master
 organisations in the country such as
 dissertation on the theoretical and empirical
 Nitlapan-UCA and Fondo de Desarrollo Local
 linkages between the ecosystem services
 (FDL).
 and food security concepts, and how the
 ecosystem services framework might be
Alumnus Bùi Hoàng Hà (DEM, 2011-12) Alumna Natalia Wils (DEM, 2006-07), as Alumnus, Abu Said Juel (DEM, 2013-14),
feels proud to be part of two Water for Mexico country representative for Pro currently working as research coordinator My name is Diana Tiholaz and, on 1 economics), it, also, made me dream
all projects in Vietnam whereby two auto Mujer, puts a new initiative for women of BRAC Bangladesh, has been supporting September, I happily joined the IOB team as about pursuing a PhD in this field. It is well
running water systems in Hoang Su Phi, empowerment in the spotlight. Pro the project on Open School Data. Open a new AAP and PhD student. known that dreams should be followed,
Ha Giang are providing free clean water to Mujer joined forces with other partners School Data can be used to promote mutual so, next, I enrolled in the IOB’s Master in
hundreds of ethnic minority students in to promote the women empowerment accountability, to foster trust, and to build I come from a small Moldovan village, and
 Development Evaluation and Management.
boarding school. through strengthening their businesses. a culture of open government within the I am a citizen of two countries, Moldova
 Now I am a proud holder of this degree and,
 The program provides personalised support education system. and Romania. I acquired my Bachelor and
 this year, finally, my dream became true!! I
 for interested women and for them to be
 part of a learning community on Facebook https://youtu.be/YzapH6e0_ws first Master degrees, both were in Business
 Administration and Marketing, at the
 am working under the supervision of Prof.
 Nathalie Holvoet, and my research is on ICT-
 made up of stores located around Mexico. Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova.
 enhanced citizen science/community-based
 Through the newly created Facebook
 In 2016, my Belgian adventure started, when monitoring initiatives.
 community, Grandes Tenderas, a space of
 I came here to follow the master program
 accompaniment in which tips and practical Apart from studies, I worked with different
 in European studies of the Université
 information for shop/business owners and consulting companies in Moldova, Belgium,
 Catholique de Louvain. There, I followed
 managers will be shared. The forum invites and Lithuania. Moreover, this year, I had the
 an amazing course in macroeconomics of
 female entrepreneurs for a friendly chat chance to acquire some working experience
 development which, besides that made
 with representatives of the teams involved. with UNDP Moldova and the Ministry of
 https://bit.ly/3zAtRoa
 me fall in love with development studies
 in general (not only with development
 Finance of Moldova.

 04 EXCHANGE TO CHANGE SEPTEMBER 2021 05

In the meantime... Opportunities
“Alumni in action” talks Alumni barometer conference &
As part of the ‘Life after IOB’ trajectory, and Asia and shared some advice and ideas
which sets out to prepare graduating IOB about working in the development sector”. Launch Community of Practice
students for the challenges that lie ahead,
IOB organised two ‘Alumni in Action talks’. In
 On 28 May, Massiel Jimenez (DEM, 2019-20),
 currently working as an evaluation research
 on Citizen Science & Community
these two – unfortunately – online sessions, analyst at International Fund for Agricultural Based Monitoring
two alumni shared their experiences about Development (IFAD), hosted an interactive On 8 December 2021 a conference will be organised in Morogoro
their professional trajectory, how the IOB session, focusing on some tips and tricks (Tanzania) which will combine two events:
experience has helped them in their career for looking and applying for work as well as DECEMBER
 • Parallel workshops on Alumni policy tools and Community
and provided several tips about looking for provide some input about the content of her
 Based Monitoring

 8
jobs and internships. In a first seminar (12 evaluation current work at IFAD. Getting some
May 2021), Iacopo Viciani (training Governing ideas and tips from the alumni from the field • Presentation the results of the alumni barometer research
for Development, 2010) presented his work on can hopefully serve as inspiration for students • Launch of an IOB Community of Practice (CoP) on citizen
“Migration in the new programming cycle of to find their ideal role as agents of change. science and Community Based Monitoring
European Commission: examples from Africa • Network reception & walking dinner
 Alumni are invited to participate! A separate call for the event
 and for the community of practice will still be sent out.

 S O F
 S

 1
 C LA Graduation On 15 September 2021, we celebrated the end of the era of
 First IOB alumni

 02
 the class of 2020-21. After a warm welcome by the new IOB
 Every year the chair, the deputy from the Province of Antwerp awarded the seminar in DR Congo NOVEMBER

2
 graduation ceremony three Prizes for Global Research to Busani Marshall Nyathi On 6 November 2021, an alumni event will
 marks the (Zimbabwe - GOV), Marjorie Dizon Pamintuan (Philippines - be organised in the Democratic Republic of

 6
 intersection of two GLOB) and Elias Maombi Ndatabaye (DR Congo - DEM). In a Congo. This event will also be the start of a
 key moments in time. short video (available on YouTube) each of the award winners DRC alumni chapter.
 The end of an era for one group of explained their dissertation research, the methods used and
 students, the exciting beginning of a new All alumni living in the DRC are warmly
 the policy relevance. As an interlude, a video capturing the
 era for a new group of students. Let’s hope that invited to register here online for the event,
 highlights of the student IOB year, livened up the graduation
 in this particular year, the latter group will have a much have your profile include in our booklet and/
 ceremony. Finally, a student representative, on behalf of
easier time than the former! For it has been a difficult year, filled or to be part of the DRC chapter!
 her fellow students, closed the ceremony with a memorable
with social distancing, testing, vaccination, real distance from speech. And then the moment everyone had been waiting for, https://bit.ly/alumni-seminar-drcongo
family and friends, but hopefully also filled with getting to know the proclamation of the students’ results and the handing over
new people, new perspectives, ideas... of the diplomas! Afterwards, students, staff and other invited
 guests could celebrate this happy occasion with a toast at the
 reception. Students continued to celebrate in a very much
 deserved and overdue IOB party!!

 n
 No goodbyes … only ‘au revoir’!
 https://bit.ly/globalresearch-2021
 o
 Postponed several times also indicate in the online form if you’re

 s o n NE
 W because of COVID-19, interested in being a part of a small

 ng soo
 NG we will finally start organising team.
 HI

 i
 M ET
 SO an IOB Belgium We will have a first brainstorm meeting in

 m ng n
 T
 GO (Europe) chapter.

 o
 October 2021 on what activities to organise

 o
 E
 W

 C mi o
 We warmly invite in 2021/2022 in Belgium.

 s https://bit.ly/belgium-chapter
 you to join the

 Co ming
 !
 N ED network! To
 Y TU
 A all alumni living in
 ST

 Co
 Belgium (or close enough

 IOB Belgium
 to attend an IOB event in Belgium):
 please register for the network. As a first

 (Europe)
 step we would like you to create a profile
 using the form below. We will use the

 alumni chapter
 information to create a profile booklet
 and to decide what type of activities to
 organise based on your interest. You can

 06 EXCHANGE TO CHANGE SEPTEMBER 2021 07

“Us” and “them”: reciprocal
perceptions and interactions between
 and how “us” and “them” were defined 2020, I did interviews with 134 Hutu and
 in terms of ubwoko, or “ethnicity” (I use Tutsi, men and women, youth and adults
 the Kirundi term ubwoko in my thesis to or elderly people, living in Bugendana,

amoko in contemporary Burundi refer to Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa, the three
 groups usually defined as “ethnicities”
 in Burundi). The history of Burundi has
 Gasunu, and Mugara. I collected life
 histories and asked questions about
 their daily activities to try to understand
 been marked by repeated episodes of their definitions of “us” and “them” in
PhD by Antea Paviotti open violence between Hutu and Tutsi everyday life.
 since independence in 1962. By analysing E2C: What do you see as the most
 the role played by the ubwoko in the important finding of your PhD thesis?
 definition of in-groups and out-groups
 AP: Categorisations of “us” and “them”
 today, my research sheds light on the
 in terms of ubwoko are still made in
 salience of belonging to the Tutsi or the
 several situations that arise in everyday
 Hutu ubwoko in contemporary Burundi.
 life in contemporary Burundi. This is
 E2C: You did ethnographic research. Can because memories of past violence,
 you tell us a bit more about what you which targeted a specific ubwoko each
 did and the context you worked in? the analysis of social media play in your
 time, are still fresh in the minds of
 PhD?
 AP: I did ethnographic research in many people. Younger people do not
 the centre and the south of Burundi. seem to apply the same categorical AP: I dedicated part of my PhD research
 Bugendana and Gasunu, in the centre classifications of the “others” in terms to the analysis of boundary making on
 of the country, were affected in an of ubwoko, likely because they have Twitter. This can be seen as an extension
 important way by the 1993 civil war. not been exposed to the same levels of my ethnographic research in Burundi,
 During the war, two camps for internally of violence as their parents and older and it derives from the contemporary
 displaced persons (IDPs) were created in relatives. A challenge will be to avoid the socio-political context of the country.
 these villages. These camps are nowadays transmission of narratives of violence Following the 2015 violence, many
 still mainly inhabited by Tutsi, while from father to son. Such narratives journalists and activists fled Burundi
 it is mostly Hutu who live on the hills push younger generations to adhere to and continued their activity in exile
 surrounding the camps. My third research family narratives around the “others”, through social media. Since then,
 site in the south, Mugara, has been more reproducing categorical classifications political debate has largely been taking
 affected by the 1972 violence, when and thus perpetuating rigid divides place on social media platforms, where
 scores of Hutu fled the country, leaving between “us” and “them”. narratives around the “others” emerge
 behind their land and activities. In the and can be analysed. My exploration
 Another important finding of my research
 absence of their fellow countrymen, many of the Burundian Twittersphere thus
 is the existence of people who are
 Tutsi took possession of the refugees’ complemented the more traditional
 situated in between “us” and “them”,
 land. Since the 2000s especially, many ethnographic research that I did in
 in what I call an interstice of the social
 Hutu have been returning to Burundi. Burundi. My study showed that analyses
 landscape. Following specific events
 On their return, important land conflicts of boundary making can be done in the
 and circumstances of life, some people
 started between returnees and those virtual reality too. Classifications of “us”
 ended up in a sort of void, or interstice,
 who were occupying their land. During and “them” are often done in a discursive
 in between the two main groups of their
 my PhD research, between 2018 and way, and this happens on social media
 social landscape. In this position, which
 too. Processes of othering usually happen
 I call interstitial, these people belong
 through accusations against out-groups,
 Hutu and Tutsi in 1972 and in 1993. to neither of these groups, but in order
After summer in Antwerp, IOB is ready social media in her research and reflects while other discursive strategies (like
 On Twitter, I analysed four periods of to survive they need to interact with
for a new academic year, not only on her future ambitions. praising fellow members of the in-group,
 activity between 2014 and 2017 around both of them in daily life. In a context
with new students, but also with lots E2C: Can you give us a short summary of or using appellatives like “our”) reinforce
 the occasion of the commemoration where rigid classifications of “us” and
of interesting research output. One your PhD research? the internal ties of in-groups. The
 of President Ntaryamira, who died on “them” are predominant, I find this
of the first things on our agenda is purpose of my study, however, was not
 AP: In my PhD research, I analysed 6 April 1994 (on the same plane as position particularly brave. Despite the
the PhD defense of our FWO-funded to compare online and offline narratives
 the notions of “us” and “them” in Rwandan President Habyarimana while difficulties edured in this position, people
researcher Antea Paviotti. On 17 in order to better assess their reliability.
 contemporary Burundi. I explored these landing in Kigali, Rwanda). In these with interstitial identities defy binary
September, she will defend her PhD What I could observe online gave me
 notions in both the physical reality of different contexts, I analysed the ways divisions of the society, demonstrating
thesis “Us” and “Them”: reciprocal additional insights into what was said
 contemporary Burundi and in the virtual in which people positioned each other to society that living in between “us”
perceptions and interactions between offline. This does not mean that the
 reality of the Burundian Twittersphere. In in in-groups and out-groups. I tried to and “them” is actually possible, and thus
amoko in contemporary Burundi. In this former explains the latter. Nevertheless,
 Burundi, during 12 months of fieldwork understand who belonged to “us” and relativising the imperative of group-
interview, Antea shares interesting it is of relevance, I believe, to observe
 between 2018 and 2020, I worked in three who belonged to “them”, observing the belonging.
details about her ethnographic work in the relation and possibly the reciprocal
 rural villages that had been affected by ways in which this reciprocal positioning E2C: You make substantial use of social
Burundi, explains how she makes use of influence between offline and online, in
 important episodes of violence between took place. The aim was to observe when media in your research. What role does

 08 EXCHANGE TO CHANGE SEPTEMBER 2021 09

Burundi and beyond. Instagram. that information, knowledge for which political tensions especially, information of a discourse, and discourse is always broader audiences, outside academia
E2C: On which social media platforms E2C: What do you see as the specific a more traditional type of offline research provided by journalists and activists in situated (online as well as offline). too. Unfortunately, these two aspects
do you do your research and why? advantages of using social media for is necessary. exile may be particularly biased Discourse analysis is key in approaching seem to be difficult to combine, especially
 research purposes? E2C: And are there any pitfalls or E2C: Do you have any tips or tricks information on social media. at the early stages of an academic career,
AP: For practical reasons, during my PhD
 disadvantages? for our readers who do not yet have E2C: Your PhD defense is planned on 17 when one needs top-level academic
research I did systematic research on AP: Social media can facilitate access to
 experience doing this kind of research? September. How do you look back on publications to become known. To
Twitter only. On Twitter, the content of information in contexts where physical AP: Besides the reliability of online
 your PhD trajectory? produce this type of publication, which
the tweets is freely accessible unless the access to the “field” is complicated. information, representativeness can AP: Social media can provide insights into
 is time- and energy-intensive, one might
account that produced the message had Information on online platforms can also be problematic. In contexts like public opinion and I would recommend AP: I cannot believe how fast it has gone!
 end up having little time for blogs and
changed its privacy settings (a minority provide different perspectives on what Burundi, where the Internet penetration including them as an additional field It seems to me that I have just arrived
 other non-academic publications.
 in research designs, especially in our in Antwerp, while it was almost four
 increasingly connected world. This is years ago. I learned so much during this In terms of content, I would like to
 certainly needed today in disciplines like period, about Burundi, about Belgium, continue working on some aspects which
 sociology and anthropology. However, but most importantly about myself. It has I did not have the time to investigate in
 the reliability of online information not always been easy, really. Sometimes depth during my PhD, like the relevance
 needs to be carefully weighed up in I look back on some periods of my PhD of the umuryango (usually translated
 order to gain a proper understanding and I really wonder how I could have as “clan” or “extended family”) as
 of what is going on “out there”. For this gone through them. Regardless of how social identity in Burundi. On the
 purpose, the in-depth knowledge of I survived them: I did it! However, I am other hand, I would find it appealing
 the (physical) context of production happy to close this chapter of my life, and to analyse boundary making between
 of online information is essential. I am looking forward to starting a new “us” and “them” in Europe, and in our
 Before approaching online data, an one. times of increased sensitivity to the
 analyst needs to really know where that decolonisation of research, I actually
 E2C: What are your future aspirations:
 data comes from. Triangulation of the almost feel called to do so. An intriguing
 would you like to continue academic
 information is all the more necessary new avenue for future research is of
 research; and do you have any plans for
 online, where people can more easily course that of social media. I think that
 future research?
 project an online persona and spread I would like to try to better understand
 AP: I have plenty of ideas for future the impact of social media on societies
 false information (the so-called “fake
 research, but I still need to figure out where the divide between “us” and
 news”). In addition, one should always
 what form I would like it to take. I love the “them” is already rigid, like in conflict-
 keep in mind that the online is never
 rigorous approach of academic research, affected societies.
 the simple translation of the offline.
 but I would like my research to reach
 What we read on social media is part

 Antea Paviotti
 kindly invites you to the public defence of her doctoral dissertation

 PHD DEFENCE
of accounts did so). On platforms like happens offline, allowing for additional rate is low, social media are used by a
Facebook and WhatsApp, a personal understandings of the physical reality. small minority of the population. In “Us” and “them”:
connection is usually needed with the This may provide richer and more complex addition, messages can be produced by
 Reciprocal perceptions and interactions between
owner of another account in order to information to analysts: nuances are bots (automated programs that interact
interact with his/her messages. On added to the picture that do not easily in an autonomous way on social media) amoko in contemporary Burundi
 Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Bert Ingelaere
Twitter I could have access to many short emerge offline. This is particularly and by trolls (physical persons who Prof. Dr. Stef Vandeginste
tweets from several accounts, which relevant for contexts where freedom of intentionally instigate conflict in online
sometimes included links to additional speech is not fully ensured: on social conversations through hostile and often 17 September 2021 - 17.00h Register by email to katleen.vanpellicom@uantwerpen.be
information on other webpages. In total, media, information can be gathered that offensive arguments). Also, different Room B004 - Prinsstraat 13 - Antwerp or follow the defence online: https://bit.ly/phd-paviotti
this represented a sufficient amount of cannot be shared as easily offline. This, social media platforms are used for Safety regulations will be confirmed in due time.
material for my analyses. I did content of course, requires a careful evaluation of different purposes. Twitter, for instance, After the defence, you are welcome for a drink and
and discourse analysis in my study: I the reliability of what is said online, since seems to be particularly apt for political a bite at Antea’s place. Please register before
 Wednesday 15/09 to antea.paviotti@uantwerpen.be
analysed narratives, without claiming information can be put into circulation communication. In the Burundian
to provide any representative accounts for political purposes only. Online, this Twittersphere, communication seems to
of “what people think” in Burundi. In seems to happen more easily than offline. be more aimed at international audiences
the future, I would like to continue my The reliability of online information can than at publics inside Burundi, which
research on other social media platforms only be assessed through an in-depth might lead Twitter users to orient their
like WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, or knowledge of the context that produced messages in a specific way. In periods of

 10 EXCHANGE TO CHANGE SEPTEMBER 2021 11

This was the year
 2020-2021
 “I must admit that I had my
 first ever oral exam, something
 that I never knew existed, since
 that was unheard of in Ghana.”

 “IOB has provided me with
 a challenging but unfor-
 gettable year that really
 changed my perspective
 and allowed me to make
 some great friends along
 the way.”

 “This academic year was both
 challenging and exciting. But
 despite the challenges with
 online learning and being away
 from home during the pande-
 mic, I’m happy that I managed
 to pull through thanks to my
 newfound friends and family.”

 “It’s been an enriching year
“Embracing diversity and "The most memorable moment
 where I got the chance to meet
inclusion, new knowledge, and for me was when I finally got to
 exceptional people from all
self-discovery” see my classmates and profes-
 over the world and experience
 sors face to face in January
 intercultural exchanges in
 “Diverse, 2021.”
 many respects.”
 unforgettable,
 funny” “My experience at IOB has been beyond
 expectations. During this program, I gained
 new knowledge about multiple topics and I
 “Multicultural, was able to specialise in poverty reduction.
 challenging, Furthermore, I have learned a lot about deve- #knowledgegoldmine
 transformative“ lopment issues, discovered new passions, and I
 – unexpectedly – noticed I am really interested
 in doing research. Most importantly, I met
 amazing persons from all corners of the world.
 I will forever cherish our moments together.”

 12 EXCHANGE TO CHANGE SEPTEMBER 2021 13

The sport of resistance:
 ideologies and differences have often Butbul. On both occasions, Butbul won it served as a warning to athletes who go
 played out on the field. From the Cold by default due to the withdrawal of his against public opinion.
 War up until now, boycotts still persist in opponents. In 2019, Iranian Saeid Mollaei, who

pariahs and national heroes
 sports. Israel has perhaps suffered most Even more recently, in July 2021, refused to withdraw from the World
 boycotts in recent times. Lebanese martial arts fighter Abdullah Judo Championship in Tokyo in order to
 In some sports where Israel has Miniato withdrew from the International avoid the likelihood of facing an Israeli
It is easy to think that fun is all there is imprisonment or life in exile. He chose Lives Matter campaigns especially, in an participated, Arab competitors have Martial Arts Federation Youth MMA World opponent in the final, could not return
to sports. Just as with anything else, the latter. echo of the way George Floyd died. An boycotted the games in protest of the Championship in Bulgaria, avoiding home for fear of persecution. He sought
sports can be and has been used as a tool, example is Belgium’s forward Romelu long-running conflict between the the possibility of competing against an asylum in Germany.
 Lilesa was only able to return to Ethiopia Israelis and Palestinians. Countries like Israeli opponent.
even for political agendas. In this article, in October 2018, after a new government Lukaku kneeling down as part of a Black Some Arab and Muslim majority
we highlight the many faces of sport Lives Matter campaign ahead of the Euro Iran have a policy of not allowing their Arab and Muslim sportsmen and countries, including Malaysia and United
 led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came players to compete against Israelis.
and show how it has been used to send into power. Mass demonstrations by the 2020 quarter final between the Red Devils women face a lot of pressure, at home Arab Emirates, have denied Israelis
political messages, speak out against Oromo community and acts of defiance and Italy. In the recently concluded 2021 and from their fans, not to compete visas while hosting sports events, and in
injustice and bring together warring like that of Lilesa, had forced the In May 2019, Manchester United players Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, the against Israelis because of the decades other cases outrightly denied them the
factions. Hailemariam Desalegn-led government Paul Pogba and Amad Diallo were at the International Judo Federation suspended long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. right to participate. Where Israelis have
For instance, before crossing the finish out of power. centre of a storm following their raising Algerian Fethi Nourine for refusing to Although most federations don’t force participated and won, either the Israeli
line in the 2016 Rio Olympics marathon, of a Palestinian flag during their team’s compete against an Israeli athlete. Fethi, their sportspersons to boycott Israeli flag has not been raised or the national
 Lilesa is one of the many sportspersons who was already in Japan, withdrew from opponents, the decisions they take can anthem has not been played. Although
Ethiopian runner Fayisa Lilesa crossed that have used their fields to show their Premier League game with Fulham. This
his hands over his head, exhibiting an took place following intense hostilities the Games after it became apparent that affect their careers and status at home. most international sports federations
 discontent regarding injustice and he would face Tohar Butbul from Israel. have a non-discriminatory policy, this has
‘X’ mark. Very few at the time realised political persecution. Sportsmen and between Palestinian militant group Failure to analyse the political
the significance of this gesture, not only Hamas and Israel, that resulted in Previously, he had withdrawn from the ramifications of whichever decision they not stopped such acts from happening.
 women have always been a voice for the 2019 world championship in Tokyo to
to the sport, but also to the politics of oppressed even when their actions have weeks of bombardment of Gaza and the take can have consequences. In 2007, International sports events have over the
Ethiopia at the time. deaths of hundreds of civilians, mostly avoid facing an Israeli competitor. Kenyan born marathoner Mushir Salem years provided cover for sportspersons
 defied those with political power. Sports
 Palestinians. Caught in the middle of the At the same Olympics in Tokyo, a Jawher lost his Bahraini citizenship after fleeing from political persecution and
 controversy, Manchester United manager Sudanese judoka player, Mohamed competing in the Tiberias Marathon in ideologies they don’t agree with. A
 Ole Gunner Solskjaer defended his Abdalarasool, pulled out of his game Israel. Although this was later overturned Czechoslovakian gymnastics coach
 players, arguing that they had a right to a against the same Israeli opponent, Tohar and he regained his Bahraini citizenship, became the first person to defect in 1948
 different view.
 Following that duo’s show of defiance and
 bravado, in their triumphant Football
 Association Challenge Cup (FA Cup) final
 against Chelsea, Leicester City players
 Hamza Choudhury and Wesley Fofana
 followed suit, raising the Palestinian
 flag. All four of these players are Muslims,
 just like the hundreds of Palestinians
 killed during the conflict. Other Muslim
 football players also expressed solidarity
 for the Palestinian cause, including
 Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny, Mesut Ozil
 of Fenerbache and Inter Milan’s Achraf
 Hakimi.
Lilesa was protesting the continued has always been a theatre of political A few years earlier, Ghanaian footballer
persecution and killing of Ethiopia’s protest. John Pantsil had stirred up a storm
largest ethnic group, the Oromo. Lilesa’s Ahead of the National Football League when he raised the Israeli flag while
solo protest followed larger protests that (NFL) games in September 2016, San celebrating his team’s world cup win
resulted in bloodshed over the Ethiopian Francisco 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick, over Czech Republic, in 2006 in Germany.
government’s plans to reallocate Oromo with the help of a teammate, Eric Reid, Pantsil, who played for Israeli club
land. Hundreds of people were killed in knelt during the national anthem in Hapoel Tel Aviv pulled the Israeli flag
these protests. protest against police brutality and from his sock, before waving it before the
His gesture divided public opinion among racial injustice. This was followed by his fans and cameras.
Ethiopians, with some, especially his ostracisation from the league and he His gesture was in appreciation of his
fellow Oromo people, showing sympathy has not been allowed to play since new Israeli fans. However, following a barrage
for his cause, while others regarded him year’s day of 2017, in addition to being of criticism from the Arab world, and
as a traitor. It was only after this protest denied jobs. However, the gesture, which Muslims online, the Ghanaian national
that Lelisa realised the real impact of was inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s team issued an apology.
what he had done and the possible practice of kneeling in prayer and protest,
 Sports boycotts based on political
consequences, which included death, has transcended time and is used in Black

 14 EXCHANGE TO CHANGE SEPTEMBER 2021 15

during the London Games. Her defection supremacy over other races. The public in victory, and thereafter both sides UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1997. World Cup was a great boost to a country Kosovo, Democratic Republic of Congo,
was due to the lack of civil liberties in embrace between Luz and Jesse showed intensified the negotiations, resulting Despite attacks on his family, including that was emerging from apartheid Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast.
Hungary. that sportsmanship could triumph over in a ceasefire between the two opposing the rape of his cousins, Weah remained and international sports isolation. For Sport has been used all over the world
During the 1996 Games in Atlanta, Iraqi racism. sides. committed to the Liberian national team. the first time in decades, the nation in an attempt to foster development
weightlifter Raed Ahmed, who opposed In the 2021 Summer Olympics in Japan, Although Ivory Coast was eliminated in Weah’s political activism continued was united to celebrate their victory or peacebuilding. Countries such as
Saddam Hussein’s rule, defected to the the Iranian basketball team competed the group stage at the World Cup, this from the time of Charles Taylor until over New Zealand in the finals held in the Democratic Republic of Congo and
United States of America. During the against the United States of America, didn’t stop Drogba from continuing with his election as President of Liberia in Johannesburg. Ivory Coast use football as one of the
Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Uganda despite their political rivalry. his efforts for peace. In 2006, after being 2017. Other sportsmen who have been The world over, sports diplomacy has few successful vehicles when it comes to
in 2019, seven members of the Eritrean In Ivory Coast, footballer Didier Drogba voted the African player of the year, elected into political office include Manny been used to bring peace to beleaguered driving some form of integrative unity
national team defected, running away is credited with halting the Ivorian Civil Drogba toured the rebel-held northern Pacquiao in Philippines, Vitali Klitschko communities and nations. Sports like (Levermore, 2008).
from political persecution, forced labor War. The civil war had been raging since part of the country and in 2007, through in Ukraine and Imran Khan in Pakistan. football have been used to rehabilitate
and forced conscription in the army. 2002, with a country divided between the his influence the country’s match against South Africa’s winning of the 1995 Rugby communities recovering from conflict like
Eritrea has been under strongman Isaias south controlled by President Laurent Madagascar was moved from the Capital
Afwerki’s rule since 1993. Gbagbo and a rebel force controlling the Abidjan to the rebel-held city of Bouake
Cuba has also suffered several defections north of the country. In 2005, Ivory Coast in the north.
over the years, including in 2021 when was on the verge of qualifying for the For the first time in years, the sounds
popular baseball player Cesar Prieto World Cup. With a Didier Drogba inspired of firing guns were replaced by football
defected to the USA. Most recently, win over Sudan, Ivory Coast, despite chants. Rebel militants, who had been
 • Aljazeera. (2018, October 21). Ethiopia: Exiled • Kelly, J. (2018, January 31). How George Weah united
during the 2021 Summer Olympics in political differences between the north preoccupied with fighting, joined
 Olympic runner Feyisa Lilesa returns home. Retrieved a broken Liberia in his last days as an international
Tokyo, Belarusian sprinter Krystsina and the south, had qualified for the World chanting fans to support their national
 at: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2018/10/21/ player. These Football Times. Retrieved at: https://
Tsimanouskaya defected to Poland, Cup for the first time. team. Although Didier Drogba and
 ethiopia-exiled-olympic-runner-feyisa-lilesa- thesefootballtimes.co/2018/01/31/how-george-
fearing persecution at home in Belarus Perhaps the most iconic of Didier his team mates’ efforts didn’t end the
 returns-home. weah-united-a-broken-liberia-in-his-last-days-as-
after criticising the team coaches. Drogba’s actions came after the match. civil war, their efforts contributed to
 • Aljazeera, (2006, June 20). Ghana apology for Israel an-international-footballer/.
Although sports boycotts have dominated In a post-match address to his nation, bringing peace to Ivory Coast. At a time of
 heightened adversity, Drogba and team- flag-waving. Retrieved at: https://www.aljazeera. • Levermore, R. (2008). Sport a new engine of
the back pages, there are several cases Drogba called upon the men and women
 mates gave Ivorians hope. com/news/2006/6/20/ghana-apology-for-israel- development? Progress in development studies, 8(2),
where sportsmanship has triumphed over of Ivory Coast to be united. Drogba,
 flag-waving 183-190.
politics. accompanied by his team-mates, called In Liberia, in the midst of a civil war that
 upon the country to narrow the divide by lasted almost a decade, one football • BBC. (2016, August 21). Ethiopian runner makes • Reuter. (2021, August 6). Factbox: Major
Perhaps the most iconic of these is of Luz
 holding general elections. player stood out as a national icon. protest sign as he crosses line in Rio. Retrieved at: defections in sport. Retrieved at: https://www.
Long embracing and supporting Jesse
 George Weah remained loyal to Liberia, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-37150673. reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/major-defections-
Owens at the 1936 Olympic Games in The World Cup qualification had united
 advancing issues of education, sexual • Daily Sabah. (2021, May 19). More footballers back sport-2021-08-05/.
Berlin. In 1936, Adolf Hitler had started the country where politics had failed.
implementing his plan to prove Aryan Both the north and the south were united health and refugee protection as a Palestine as Man Utd’s Pogba, Diallo display flag. • Sky Sports. (2021, May 19). Manchester United’s
 Daily Sabah. Retrieved at: https://www.dailysabah. Paul Pogba and Amad Diallo raise Palestine flag
 com/sports/football/more-footballers-back- after Premier League draw with Fulham. Sky Sports.
 palestine-as-man-utds-pogba-diallo-display-flag. Retrieved at: https://www.skysports.com/football/
 • Dawson, A. (2021, July 24). An Olympic jukoda has news/11667/12310622/manchester-uniteds-paul-
 been suspended for refusing to compete against an pogba-and-amad-diallo-raise-palestine-flag-after-
 Israeli competitor. Insider. Retrieved at: https:// premier-league-draw-with-fulham.
 www.insider.com/tokyo-2020-fethi-nourine- • Smith, D. (2016, September 14). Feyise Lilesa:
 suspended-for-refusing-competition-against- being an athlete allowed me to be the voice of my
 israel-2021-7. people. The Guardian. Retrieved at: https://www.
 • Ellis, R. (2016, August 22). Ethiopian marathoner theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/14/feyisa-lilesa-
 makes protest gesture at Rio finish line. CNN. being-an-athlete-allowed-me-to-be-the-voice-of-
 Retrieved at: https://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/21/ my-people
 world/rio-olympics-ethiopian-marathoner/index. • Streeter, K. (2020, June 5). Kneeling, Fiercely
 html. Debated in the N.F.L., Resonates in Protests. The
 • Fabian, E. (2021, July 31). Lebanese athlete said to New York Times. Retrieved at: https://www.nytimes.
 pull out from MMA contest to avoid facing Israeli. com/2020/06/05/sports/football/george-floyd-
 The Times of Israel. Retrieved at: https://www. kaepernick-kneeling-nfl-protests.html
 timesofisrael.com/lebanese-athlete-said-to-pull- • White, J. (2020, September 10). NFL anthem
 out-from-mma-contest-to-avoid-facing-israeli/. protests: Colin Kaepernick, Black Lives Matter – what
 • Guiberteau, O. (2020, March 31). Didier Drogba: How came before and what will happen next. South China
 Ivory Coast striker helped to halt civil war in his how Morning Post. Retrieved at: https://www.scmp.com/
 town. Retrieved at: https://www.bbc.com/sport/ sport/other-sport/article/3101050/nfl-anthem-
 football/52072592.amp. protests-colin-kaepernick-black-lives-matter-what-
 came

 16 EXCHANGE TO CHANGE SEPTEMBER 2021 17

Alumni panel
Phonenipha Mathouchanh
My IOB-friends call me Pui

GOV 2014 | Laos

Where are you currently living? I am living in Vienna,
Austria.

Where do you work? After graduation, I continued to
 decision to make. Professionally speaking, I developed
work for my government in the field of disarmament
and non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction
 strong research and analytical skills using different Marianne O’Shea
 methods. This includes how to develop the most
(WMD). I then moved to the international level where I
 pragmatic policies and solutions based on analysis, GOV 2012 | Ireland
am now working as a consultant supporting nuclear non-
 which are useful skills for my current job. I really Where are you currently living? Having studied
proliferation efforts in Southeast Asia. My tasks include:
 enjoyed the programme’s courses, which allowed me and worked abroad, I have been living and working
providing insights into the nuclear safeguards situation
 to have full freedom to research the topic that I was in Ireland for the last couple of years! How did the IOB experience affect your life/
in Southeast Asian countries; suggesting solutions to
 interested in. Culturally speaking, I also learnt how to career? My time at IOB was wonderful and
overcome these challenges; and supporting related
 work in a multilateral environment. IOB students come Where do you work? I am a Lecturer at Maynooth significantly impacted both my life and career.
projects and activities.
 from around the world and that is the charm of the University Department of Applied Social Studies, From meeting an array of interesting people from
How has the IOB experience affected your life/ career? programme. Furthermore, being in Antwerp allowed me where I teach on and co-ordinate under- and post- around the world, to developing new perspectives
 to experience not only Flemish culture but also European graduate professional programmes in Community on global concerns, to building on my own
Applying for the Advanced Master Programme in culture in general which allows me to be adaptable and Work and Youth Work. academic skills, my studies at IOB provided a
Governance and Development at IOB was the right understand the value of diversity. strong foundation for my career development over
 Tell us more about one of the exciting projects/
 the past decade.
 programmes/ ideas you are currently working
 on? I am currently a member of faculty at MU I arrived at IOB with a background in community
 DAPPSS, where I love my work with the students. development in Ireland and a strong commitment
 There, I try to create a space for them to critically to its values. The literature and frameworks I was
 engage with the root causes of inequalities in exposed to at IOB provided a new lens for me
 Irish society and seek to address these alongside to engage with that work. My doctoral research
 René Rodríguez Fabilena governance. the communities and young people that are most brought the two worlds together to some degree,
 affected. My IOB experience helps me to bring a using a collaborative governance framework
 GLOB 2017 | Nicaragua If you were the director of a research fund, what is a research
 global dimension to this work, in terms of both to examine civil society participation in local
 question that you would agree to finance? My experience as a
 solidarity and in seeking solutions. One advantage governance spaces in Ireland.
 PhD student has allowed me to better know the initiatives from
 Where are you currently living? I of the pivot to online teaching that has happened
 indigenous communities who are developing and implementing
 over the last year is that we have been able to At a personal level, my time at IOB provided me
 am living in Antwerp, Belgium. “development” projects based on their own interests and
 connect more easily with voices from across the with networks and friendships that have sustained
 needs. In these projects, the local actors are asking questions
 Where do you work? Currently, I have globe and I have been lucky to be able to call upon almost a decade now. Given that my work now
 that are relevant to them regarding territorial governance,
 the great opportunity to work at IOB as a some of my IOB network to share their insights involves creating the conditions for a group
 environmental justice, indigenous epistemologies, and so
 PhD student. I am working on the role of mitigation climate with MU students! of students to work together to examine and
 on. I consider this kind of proposal to be one of the sost
 policy in the competence among indigenous (mayangna) and address complex social issues, I have a renewed
 important strategies to decolonize the development agendas. In terms of research, I am currently involved in
 State territorialities in Nicaragua. I am particularly interested appreciation for colleagues at IOB’s capacity to
 So, more than a specific research question, I would agree to the development of a community-led enquiry into
 in how climate mitigation projects influence the ontological, create a dynamic and inclusive learning space for
 finance action-research projects which involved this kind of women’s experiences of participating in local
 subjective and material dimensions of the the processes of students from all over the world!
 initiative whether in “knowledges” production (yes, in plural) governance processes. As a researcher, I think it is
 (de)territorialisation in mayangna territories. Beyond or governance “experiments”, that reframe and open up the
 pursuing an academic degree, I consider this PhD journey as important to focus on topics and themes that will
 development agendas. contribute to community and youth work.
 an opportunity to learn from different actors and try to build
 bridges among different levels of environmental and climate

 18 EXCHANGE TO CHANGE SEPTEMBER 2021 19

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