Social Justice Innovation in Africa

Preface

Tiina Kontinen and Laura Stark

Introduction: Understanding Social Innovation in Africa 

Viljam Engström and Maija Mustaniemi-Laakso

Part I: Conceptualizing Social Justice Innovation

Social Justice Innovation. A Cross-Disciplinary and Multilayered Agenda

Viljam Engström and Maija Mustaniemi-Laakso

Contextualizing and Conceptualizing the Social Enterprise – The Cooperative as an Enabler of Social Justice in Sub-Saharan Africa

Ilia Gugenishvili, Anna-Greta Nyström, Irene Kujala and Malin Brännback 

Part II: Social Entrepreneurship

From Coffins to Coins: Ethiopian ‘iddir’ Navigating the Frontier of Social Enterprise

Elias Yitbarek Alemayehu 

“Baron/Baroness” Food-Get-Together Celebrations and Mukando Village Contributions as Tools for Entrepreneurial Socialization and Innovation in Chikonye, Maheya and Murairwa Villages in Rural Zimbabwe 

Sharon Hofisi 

Self-Organized Waste Pickers: Marginalized Yet Vital to the African City of Bamako

Sidy Lamine Bagayoko 

Surviving on the Margins of Legality: Familial Ties, the Informal Economy and Re-Imagining Social Protection in Kenya 

Dennis Ndambo 

Part III: Social Technologies

Livelihood Outcomes of Social Innovations for Mobile Agricultural Extension Service Delivery in South-Central Uganda 

Nicholas Mugabi

Enhancing Social Justice? Experimenting with Social Media in Preservice Teacher Education at Makerere University in Uganda 

Dorothy Kyagaba Sebbowa and Tiina Kontinen 

Part IV: Societal Practices

The Constitutional Court of South Africa as an Agent of Social Justice  

Ntando Ndlovu and Arthur van Coller 

Community Perceptions of Social Justice in Benefit Distribution Mechanisms of Forestry Carbon Projects in Uganda 

Kellen Aganyira, Douglas Sheil and John R S Tabuti

Leveraging and Regulating Pension Funds for Socially Responsive Investments in the Namibian Economy 

Kennedy Kariseb

Law, Clinics and Social Innovation in Africa: Addressing Justice Gaps 

Anne Kotonya 

Biography

Viljam Engström is Head of research in Public International Law at Åbo Akademi University School of Law, Finland. His main research interests are international institutions, social protection and the function of law and legal concepts.

Maija Mustaniemi-Laakso is Postdoctoral Researcher at Åbo Akademi University School of Law/Institute for Human Rights, Finland, with research interest in issues related to vulnerability, accountability and international human rights law.

Laura Stark is Professor of Ethnology at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Her research interests include gender, sexuality, and urban poverty in Africa and she has led five externally funded, multi-researcher projects.

"Social Justice Innovation in Africa is an essential exploration of social innovation's role in addressing global inequalities exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Authored by scholars and practitioners, the book offers a multidisciplinary lens, dissecting the complex interplay of human rights, economics, and development. A unique blend of literature analysis and empirical research, it delves into diverse innovation approaches, from grassroots initiatives to technological advancements. This comprehensive work not only unveils the entangled relationships within African societies but also provides invaluable insights applicable worldwide. A must-read for anyone passionate about fostering just and impactful social change."

Professor Jill Kickul, Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California

 

"Social Justice Innovation in Africa is a timely exploration of the vital role social innovation plays in addressing global inequalities. Authored by African scholars and practitioners, this multidisciplinary work offers a contextual and comprehensive understanding of diverse social innovation approaches, making it an indispensable resource for anyone seeking insights into the multifaceted pursuit of social justice."

Patricia Kameri-Mbote, Director, Law Division, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

“Social Justice Innovation in Africa is a timely resource. From the conceptualization of social justice innovation to contextualization and experiences, the book is an important contribution on the subject. It is a must-read for development practitioners in Africa.”

Professor Njaramba Gichuki, Faculty of Law, University of Nairobi, Kenya