Thandika Mkandawire - NAI’s guest of honour 2011

In recognition of his decades’ long contribution to the advancement of knowledge production in Africa and in the world Thandika Mkandawire was made NAI’s guest of honour 2011. The Olof Palme Professor for Peace with the Institute for Future Studies in Stockholm and Professor of African Development, London School of Economics, was presented with his appointment at a dinner at Uppsala Konsert & Kongress on the first day of the ECAS 4 conference.

Lennart Wohlgemuth, Guest Professor, School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, who introduced Thandika Mkandawire to the audience, pointed out Thandika Mkandawire’s importance for, in particular, engaging young scholars during his years as Executive Secretary of CODESRIA. Lennart Wohlgemuth added:

– The area in which he definitely has contributed to the advancement of knowledge in the field of development economics is in the interplay between economic reform and democratization. Here he has even created a special term, which is attributed to him by all scholars in the field namely ‘choice less democracies.

– With his extensive publications over a long period of time he has made a distinguished contribution to the advancement of knowledge in development economics with particular emphasis on Africa. His writings are used as learning materials all over the world and he has through his important position in the past decade been able to engage other researchers in his field of research.