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Based on prior and ongoing research, and to pave the way for future collaboration between the Faculty of Law at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ and the Human Rights Centre at Kongo University, DRC, this workshop provides shared space for collectively thinking through human rights and legal education needs and challenges in and between the DRC and Belgium. The workshop will present different research and education activities taking place at the hosting institutions, including in terms of human rights and legal education, outreach and advocacy, and community support, as well as efforts to decolonize research, education, and partnership. As such, the workshop will also provide the opportunity for critical, collaborative reflection on the power dynamics and historically imbalanced relationships between Global North and South as it pertains to international human rights frameworks and to the academic and development initiatives that have sought to foster human rights in Global South countries like the DRC – including reflection on the coloniality of human rights. The workshop will provide an opportunity for open, honest discussion on opportunities and limitations of human rights approaches and for further critical reflection around North-South partnerships.

Wednesday, 29 April 2026: (Room to be announced)

9:00-9:15 a.m. Opening, context, and workshop vision

9:15-9:45 a.m. (Historical) collaboration between the Law and Development Group (LDRG) and the Human Rights Center, Kongo University (Dr. Sarah Katz-Lavigne)

9:45-11:15 a.m. Belgian involvement in Kongo Central (Research by Richard Lumbika Nlandu and Koen de Feyter) (In French)

11:15-11:45 a.m. Coffee break

11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Student presentations by MA/PhD students from Kongo Central studying in Belgium (In French)

MFUNDANI NSILULU McArthur, Université Kongo and University of Antwerp, Protection des consommateurs contre les produits défectueux. Analyse des législations européennes et belges et perspectives pour le droit congolais

SAMBA TUMUENIMO Pathy, Business and Law, University of Antwerp, Aménager l'urbanisation congolaise par et avec les communautés des quartiers : conceptualiser un cadre juridique de l'action communautaire pour la protection des consommateurs à la lisière de Mbanza-Ngungu, de Matadi et de Kinshasa (Kindele)

MALENGA DIVAVA Christophe, University of Antwerp, Pour un modèle fiscal "S.A.F.E." adapté à une industrie minière en mutation. Une évaluation du système fiscal minier congolais

Hippolyte Vasika Mbele, UC Louvain/UNIKIN/Université Kongo, De l’opportunité de l’exploitation minière dans la Province du Kongo central en RDCongo : Risques et prévention de violation des droits humains

1:15-2:30 p.m. Lunch break

2:30-4:00 p.m. Human rights challenges and activism in Belgium

Dr. Yibo Li, University of Antwerp: Police surveillance and repression of Palestinian activism in Antwerp

Thursday, 30 April 2026 (room to be announced)

9:00-10:30 a.m. Keynote presentation by Professor Richard Lumbika, Kongo University : Le Congo comme création du droit international et le capitalisme colonial (In French)

10:30-11:00 a.m. Coffee break

11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Presentation on the U Antwerp Legal Clinic by Professor Tomaso Ferrando (in person), University of Antwerp, in conversation with Ellen Desmet, Associate professor of migration law, Department of European, public and international law, Ghent University (online)

12:30-1:30 p.m. Lunch break

1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Critical reflection on power dynamics/unbalanced power relationships in academic cooperation: Philsan Omar Osman

3:30 p.m. No formal break, but coffee/tea will be available

3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Colonial durabilities in Antwerp/Belgium: Sadjo Thiam (Acces)