Can we truly thrive in a world focused solely on individualism?
In our latest session of #DemocracyDrinks The Hague, Dorine van Norren shared a thought-provoking insight: humans, as inherently social beings, rely deeply on our communities. Our environment, especially the people around us, profoundly shapes our well-being. So, can we really succeed alone? Norren’s answer is a clear “no.”
The conversation centred around Ubuntu where interviewing was Tayuh Ngenge, knowledge expert from the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), with experience with constitutional transitions in African courts. Dorine van Norren, the speaker of the night, shared her insights and responded to audience questions on how this Bantu-originating African philosophy guides personal and community priorities in relation to wellbeing and democracy. Her extensive knowledge of the topic is grounded in her research and interviews as part of her doctoral work on the interdisciplinary view of Sustainable Development Goals from Diverse Global South perspectives including Ubuntu in post-apartheid South Africa where she also lived as an exchange student at the University of Cape town.
Dorine explained how Ubuntu emphasises community, interconnectedness, and the importance of mutual aid—a worldview that Dorine shared she believes would lead to more inclusive, people-centred solutions to today’s global challenges particularly relevant to the professionals in the audience. Here’s a look at the key takeaways from the discussion.
What is Ubuntu?
Ubuntu is more than just a concept—it’s a way of seeing the world. Often translated as “I am because we are,” it’s a philosophy that puts human relations and solidarity at the center of everything. Ubuntu reminds us that no one exists in isolation—our wellbeing is deeply interconnected with the wellbeing of those around us and the world we share, according to Dorine. This philosophy resonates powerfully, especially in light of International Mental Health Day just this past week. As Dorine reflected, personal wellbeing is intrinsically linked to the people, the society, and the environment we are part of. Ubuntu emphasises that the wellbeing of the individual is inseparable from the wellbeing of the collective, making it particularly relevant when considering how group – and nature’s – wellbeing is essential for personal mental health.
Ubuntu and South Africa’s Democracy
In South Africa, Ubuntu played a major role in shaping the post-apartheid transition to democracy. Dorine noted that while ubuntu only made it into the draft constitution – mainly to enable the Truth and Reconciliation Committee – its values—collective dignity, societal duties, and restorative justice with the aim of reconciliation—are infused into South Africa’s constitution, Ubuntu is considered as part of its legal history, and is currently used by the courts. One powerful example is how courts have used Ubuntu values in cases around socio-economic rights, particularly in housing disputes. Instead of focusing solely on individual property rights, the courts considered the broader context of the community dynamics and colonial history surrounding townships and landownership, showing how Ubuntu can inform a more holistic approach to justice.
The Power of Mutual Aid and Collective Dignity
One of Ubuntu’s central ideas is mutual aid, the belief that we thrive when we help each other. Dorine emphasised that democracy, according to Ubuntu, isn’t just about individual rights. It’s about shared responsibility and community involvement where communal rights are put above individual rights if they harm the community. Democracy requires effort from everyone—not just elected leaders—and works best when people care about the wellbeing of the whole group. Central to Ubuntu the consensus decision making, creating a great link with the topic of our upcoming #DemocracyDrinks The Hague event on the topic of participatory democracy where citizens can provide direct input on political decisions relating to issues that impact us all: key among them being climate.
Embracing Ubuntu: A Relational Approach to Sustainable Development
Dorine argued that while the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have revolutionised global partnerships and North-South collaboration leading to significant and needed progress, she very honestly admitted that with the benchmarks set for 2030 far from being met, there is more and more incentive to look toward community-driven approaches. She advocated for a shift from a goal-centric framework to one focused on relationship building, aligned with Ubuntu philosophy. Unlike the SDGs, which prioritize specific outcomes, Ubuntu values the process and community wellbeing, highlighting the need for a more relational and inclusive path to the collective wellbeing and environmentally sustainable progress that we aim for. Indigenous and non-Western perspectives are often overlooked in global policy discussions, and through her work on researching Ubuntu and other community-based perspectives she feels such development through “mutual aid” may be exactly what we need to create a more peaceful and just world.
Dorine’s insights highlight how this philosophy could inspire a more empathetic, community-focused approach to the world’s greatest challenges as we look for new ways to build sustainable societies. In response to a powerful question from the audience regarding the global development inequality still persistent today, Dorine further emphasized Ubuntu puts people and the planet at the heart of communal efforts for a better future.
So will you take the time to reflect on your own society and actively incorporate mutual aid and community-centered values into your daily life? We look forward to touching base again at the next session of #Democracy Drinks tonight and further exploring the importance of citizen and community engagement in democracy. Hope to see you there, sign up here.
Interested in delving further into Dorine’s work on Ubuntu and its view on law, Human Rights and Sustainable Development Goals? Head here. Watch this space also for her upcoming books on the philosophies of Asian Gross National Happiness and Latin American Buen Vivir in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals, and the comparison between the three (Development as Service).
#DemocracyDrinks is a global event series that brings together advocates and defenders of democracy to participate in knowledge sharing and collaboration. Over 50 cities worldwide participate, with The Hague edition organised by The Hague Humanity Hub, The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, and The Netherlands Helsinki Committee.