Paulo Freire’s ‘praxis’ and implication for a transformative road safety policy in Africa

The fourth webinar of AfroSAFE Academy will take place on 16 February 2024 (11:00 – 12:00 CET). We are delighted to host Dr. Meleckidzedeck Khayesi from the Department of Social Determinants of Health at the WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

How does one mobilize action at national and sub-national levels to move away from business as usual to significantly improve road safety in Africa? The philosophy of Paulo Freire, especially his concept of ‘praxis’, suggests possible lines of approach at micro levels in road safety policy.

Praxis consists of both a reflection (analysis) and an action directed at the issue to be transformed. This approach entails continuous critical reflection on a situation, taking action to change its reality, and assessing the results, reflecting on and revising the action. Based on that revision, further action is taken, and the action again reflected on until an existing social reality is transformed by people who have named the world, or reality, in their own words, and have an ethical and political commitment to sustain the transformation.

Creating, sustaining, and supporting praxis communities at national and local levels in Africa are key in translating noble road safety visions into local reality of analysis and action on road infrastructure, legislation, public transport, enforcement, land use planning, vehicles, and trauma care. The cumulated local reflections and actions from around Africa provide the bites that will eat away the figures that add up to about 272 000 road traffic fatalities in the African region.

Please visit https://www.ictct.net/afrosafe-webinar/january-2024 for more information.

Dr. Meleckidzedeck Khayesi (WHO Headquarters)