Cecelia Kok – Head of Research and Advocacy Projects, South Africa – Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit Regional Office, Africa
30 May 2018
17h45 – 18h15 Registration (Registration & cheese ’n wine)
18h15 – 19h30 (Presentation + Q&A)
Free Market Foundation, Block 5 Bryanston Gate, 170 Curzon Road, Bryanston (opposite Sandton Medi-Clinic)
The world is witnessing a rise in identity politics on both ends of the political spectrum. On the right, Trump’s election promise of a border wall with Mexico, his strong anti-Muslim rhetoric as well as his remarks about ‘shithole’ African countries reveal a deep hostility to others on the basis of certain kinds of group identity. On the left, notions such as ‘the patriarchy’, ‘white supremacy’ and ‘cultural appropriation’ speak to the centrality of social groups, notably race and gender. What does this mean for individual freedom? Are identity politics and individual freedom compatible?
Background:
Cecelia Kok is Head of Research and Advocacy Projects at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, an NGO that promotes constitutional democracy, human rights, the rule of law and a social market economy around the world. In this role, Cecelia heads up the organisation’s civil society and environmental projects in South Africa. She holds a BA LLB as well as an MA in Applied Ethics from WITS University.