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Binyam Sisay Mendisu, Associate Professor of African Languages and Linguistics at The Africa Institute, was a keynote speaker at the international symposium on “African Environmental Communication” hosted by the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Sharjah on March 15, 2023.
Under the symposium’s overarching theme, “Old Problems and New Journalism? Exploring the Contours of African Environmental Communication,” Professor Mendisu delivered a thought-provoking address titled “Thinking through Multilingual Voices: Leveraging Linguistic Diversity for Impact in Environmental Communication in Africa.” His address highlighted the vital role of multilingualism in driving impactful environmental communication across the African continent.
With a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Oslo, Professor Mendisu has an extensive background in education and research. His previous work as a founding Dean of Humanities at Addis Ababa University and as an education specialist at UNESCO-IICBA demonstrates his commitment to language development and inclusive education.
During his speech, Professor Mendisu emphasized the prevalence of multilingualism in Africa, both at the societal and individual levels. He stressed the importance of considering the context and intended audience when effectively conveying environmental messages, particularly given the linguistic complexity of the continent. Additionally, he urged a critical examination of the relationship between language and power, particularly in relation to the use of former colonial or metropolitan languages.
Professor Mendisu’s emphasis on multilingualism aims to inspire environmental communicators, policymakers, and stakeholders to adopt strategies that incorporate and respect linguistic diversity when addressing environmental challenges throughout Africa. His insights are expected to encourage inclusive and culturally sensitive approaches to environmental communication.
The symposium also featured Julian Mathews, a Lecturer in Media and Communication from The University of Leicester, who delivered a complementary address titled “Legacy Environmental Communication: Problems, Change, and the African Context.” This address further contributed to the understanding of environmental communication within Africa.
The symposium provided a valuable platform for scholars, researchers, and practitioners to exchange knowledge, explore innovative approaches, and strengthen collaborations in the field of African environmental communication.
Binyam Sisay Mendisu, Associate Professor of African Languages and Linguistics at The Africa Institute, was a keynote speaker at the international symposium on “African Environmental Communication” hosted by the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Sharjah on March 15, 2023.
Binyam Sisay Mendisu, Associate Professor of African Languages and Linguistics at The Africa Institute, was a keynote speaker at the international symposium on “African Environmental Communication” hosted by the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Sharjah on March 15, 2023.
Under the symposium’s overarching theme, “Old Problems and New Journalism? Exploring the Contours of African Environmental Communication,” Professor Mendisu delivered a thought-provoking address titled “Thinking through Multilingual Voices: Leveraging Linguistic Diversity for Impact in Environmental Communication in Africa.” His address highlighted the vital role of multilingualism in driving impactful environmental communication across the African continent.
With a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Oslo, Professor Mendisu has an extensive background in education and research. His previous work as a founding Dean of Humanities at Addis Ababa University and as an education specialist at UNESCO-IICBA demonstrates his commitment to language development and inclusive education.
During his speech, Professor Mendisu emphasized the prevalence of multilingualism in Africa, both at the societal and individual levels. He stressed the importance of considering the context and intended audience when effectively conveying environmental messages, particularly given the linguistic complexity of the continent. Additionally, he urged a critical examination of the relationship between language and power, particularly in relation to the use of former colonial or metropolitan languages.
Professor Mendisu’s emphasis on multilingualism aims to inspire environmental communicators, policymakers, and stakeholders to adopt strategies that incorporate and respect linguistic diversity when addressing environmental challenges throughout Africa. His insights are expected to encourage inclusive and culturally sensitive approaches to environmental communication.
The symposium also featured Julian Mathews, a Lecturer in Media and Communication from The University of Leicester, who delivered a complementary address titled “Legacy Environmental Communication: Problems, Change, and the African Context.” This address further contributed to the understanding of environmental communication within Africa.
The symposium provided a valuable platform for scholars, researchers, and practitioners to exchange knowledge, explore innovative approaches, and strengthen collaborations in the field of African environmental communication.
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