The Knowledge for Change (K4C) Consortium is an initiative of the UNESCO Chair in Community-Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education, under the joint directions of Dr. Budd Hall (University of Victoria, Canada) and Dr. Rajesh Tandon (PRIA, India). A variety of local training hubs have been created under the K4C Consortium to design and conduct educational programs in order to develop research capacities for the co-creation of knowledge through collective action by practitioners, community-based researchers, community groups and academics. Each local hub is made up of at least a higher education institution (HEI) and a civil society organization (CSO) collaborating on strengthening individual research capacities and professional skills using a variety of teaching methods. Following a cascade training model, the K4C Consortium has developed a 21-week Mentor Training Program (MTP) based on online learning activities, a two-week face-to-face learning workshop, and a field work component to be carried out locally under the guidance of a local supervisor. The mentors trained under the supervision of the UNESCO Co-Chairs will be given a certificate under the joint seal of the UNESCO Chair CBR-SR, PRIA International Academy (PIA) and the University of Victoria (UVic). Upon successful completion of the MTP, the certified mentors are expected to play a key role in the development of the local hub, including the creation of teaching curriculum and pedagogy, and the development of research capacities in the local/regional hubs. The MTP will be offered through UVic Continuing Studies five times over 2018-2020 to build capacities for 100+ K4C mentors.

Knowledge for Change (K4C), will train next generation of mentors and leaders in Community Based Research (CBR) to a global standard developed by UNESCO Chair on CBR around the world, especially in global south and excluded north.

K4C South Hub - Makhanda, South Africa

MENTORS

• Rene Oosthuizen, Rhodes University, Makhanda- r.oosthuizen@ru.ac.za
• Nombqophiso (Monica) Canca, Rhodes University, Makhanda-monica@thelearningtrust.org; mcanca1976@gmail.com
• Joana Carlos Bezerra, Rhodes University, Makhanda- j.bezerra@ru.ac.za
• Thandiswa Nqowana, Rhodes University, Makhanda- t.nqowana@ru.ac.za

PROJECTS:

• Oosthuizen, Rene. 2021. “The impact of the covid pandemic on marginalized and traditional communities in Makhanda, South Africa, with specific reference to food security.” MTP Case Study.