Professor Wassie Kebede Fundo ya Ubuntu Annual Ubuntu Lecture

SUMMARY The annual Ubuntu Lecture featured Professor Wassie Kabede, who shared his journey as a pioneering figure in social work education in Ethiopia and discussed challenges facing African social work programs. The professor explored decolonization in social work education and his involvement with international social work associations, including work with regional hubs in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The lecture concluded with Professor Kebede delivering a presentation on Ubuntu, an African philosophy centered on community and shared humanity, its theoretical foundations, and applications to social development and leadership. Professor Wassie Kabedi delivered an annual lecture on Ubuntu, an African philosophy centered on community, unity, and shared humanity. The lecture covered Ubuntu's theoretical foundations, its expression across different African cultures, key values including survival, solidarity, compassion, and respect, and its application to community unity, justice, leadership, and social development. The professor emphasized Ubuntu's emphasis on collective responsibility over individual achievement and its potential to promote social harmony, sustainable development, and ethical leadership in both community and organizational contexts. INTERVIEW Okay, we’ll get started now. “Enkwan dehna metu! እንኳን ደህና መጡ, welcome, welcome. It is with great pleasure that I welcome Professor Wassie Kebede as our distinguished guest at the Fundo ya Ubuntu Annual Ubuntu Lecture. Professor Kebede is an Ethiopian academic and pioneer in social work education, born in the northwestern province of Ethiopia, and the first PhD graduate in social work in the country. He has served as Dean of the School of Social Work at Addis Ababa University, held leadership roles in regional and international associations, including the IASSW and the ASSWA, and contributed to the development of programmes across several African countries. Professor Kebede is a prolific scholar with over 30 publications, and he has been recognised for advancing professional education and critical reflection on the past, present, and future of social work on the African continent. I am honoured to have you with us today. Now, I would want to ask you some questions before you deliver your lecture. Full transcript available at https://africasocialwork.net/annual-u...