On 01 July 2025, the University of Namibia became Namibia’s sole academic institution to join the newly established Academia for Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Network, launched by UNICEF in Nairobi, Kenya.
This momentous collaboration involves 24 leading universities from 16 countries across Eastern and Southern Africa, including Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The network aims to accelerate progress on children’s rights through innovative research, targeted skills development, and evidence-based policy influence.
By signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), UNAM committed to integrating social and behavioural sciences into humanitarian and developmental programmes.
This strategic partnership seeks to cultivate localised knowledge, generate critical evidence, and shape policies that directly address societal challenges, especially those affecting children and communities.
UNAM’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Kenneth Matengu, highlighted the significance of this partnership: “Joining the Academia for Social and Behaviour Change Network aligns perfectly with UNAM’s mission to produce impactful research and promote practical solutions.
“It reflects our promise not just to academic excellence, but to actively contributing towards meaningful societal transformation, particularly in uplifting the rights and well-being of children in Namibia and the broader region.”
The Network will focus on four key areas: harmonised curricula development, rigorous localised research, strengthening regional academic collaboration, and bridging academia with policy and practical implementation.
Upcoming activities include joint research agendas, annual symposia, and flagship publications.
UNAM’s participation symbolises an important step toward elevating social and behavioural sciences as pivotal components of Namibia’s development agenda, reinforcing the University’s leading role in advancing children’s rights and societal well-being.
Original story published here.
