Host a hybrid Bandung conference to unite global south voices

Thohoyandou hosted a hybrid conference on 21 April 2026 that brought scholars from around the world to reflect on the Bandung Conference of 1955. The event, organised by the University of Venda (UNIVEN) and the BRICS Research Institute, reframed Bandung as both a historical milestone and a living blueprint for Global South solidarity in today’s shifting world order. The gathering featured a group photo of speakers and delegates and aimed to strengthen cross-regional collaboration and dialogue.

Introduction

The Bandung Reimagined conference gathered diverse voices from the Global South to revisit Bandung’s legacy and discuss its relevance for current global dynamics. Hosted as a hybrid event by UNIVEN and the BRICS Research Institute, the day fostered conversations on solidarity, development, and shared strategies for navigating a rapidly evolving international landscape.

Detailed list

• Place: Thohoyandou, South Africa
• Date: 21 April 2026
• Organisers: University of Venda (UNIVEN) and BRICS Research Institute
• Participants: Scholars and delegates from around the world
• Format: Hybrid conference (in-person and online participation)
• Key outcome: Reframing Bandung’s legacy as a living blueprint for Global South solidarity
• source: UNIVEN news coverage of the event

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The conference in Thohoyandou brought together a diverse cohort of scholars to reflect on the Bandung Conference’s enduring lessons and to discuss how those ideas can guide cooperation among Global South nations in today’s geopolitical climate. Attendees engaged in a range of sessions that explored development partnerships, economic collaboration, cultural exchange, and political solidarity. The hybrid format ensured broader participation, with remote attendees complementing those present on site.

Participants highlighted the importance of inclusive development models that address inequality, climate change, and sustainable growth. Discussions focused on practical steps for strengthening regional integration, sharing technology and knowledge, and building resilient networks that can respond to global challenges without compromising local priorities. The attendees also considered how Bandung’s spirit of anti-colonialism and non-alignment can inform contemporary diplomacy and economic policy among southern nations.

The event underscored the role of universities and research institutes in shaping policy-relevant scholarship and in fostering dialogue between scholars, policymakers, and civil society. By creating spaces for collaborative research and joint initiatives, UNIVEN and the BRICS Research Institute aim to nurture lasting partnerships that translate academic insights into concrete community benefits.