Navigating the digital space: African diaspora activism and online risks

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this event has been rescheduled for Tuesday, 19 November, 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Wolfson Lecture Theatre. 

The Centre of Pan-African Studies (CPAS), in partnership with Meta and Shabaka, are pleased to organise a panel discussion on the topic of ‘Navigating the Digital Space: African Diaspora Activism and Online Risks’. This forms part of the CPAS/ Meta/ Shabaka project on ‘Decolonising Digital Spaces and the Diaspora’ project,’ which aims to explore the growing use of Social Media Platforms (SMPs) by the African diaspora as a tool for political activism.

African diaspora communities increasingly use social media for information-sharing, advocacy, and financial contributions to their countries of origin, while actively participating in local and global political discourse. However, their experiences on these platforms can leave them vulnerable to several risks, including exposure to hateful content, mis- and disinformation, surveillance by governments, and online scams.

The panel discussion will focus on the opportunities and risks associated with leveraging these platforms, particularly for marginalized communities and individuals at risk both offline and online. The panel brings together the perspectives and insights of African diaspora communities, tech companies, civil society groups, researchers, and digital rights advocates to explore the role of social media in political activism and the protection of digital rights. 

About the speakers

Cagatay Pekyorur (they/them) serves as Meta's Head of Community Engagement & Advocacy for Africa, Middle East & Turkey. With extensive exposure to regulatory initiatives constraining online freedom of expression and associated risk mitigation, their work embodies open dialogue and collaboration. Possessing law background, Cagatay previously spearheaded the Turkey and Middle East Public Policy and Policy Programs teams at Meta prior to the current role.

Prior to joining Meta she headed the African Union Diaspora Office, and worked with several UN mission and agencies in Governance, Democracy and Peace and Security. 

Paul Asquith is the director of research and advocacy at Shabaka,  a diaspora-led research and advocacy organisation specialising in diaspora humanitarian response. Paul has 20 years’ experience in managing community development and public health projects, as well as conducting research in Africa, Europe, and the UK. From 2012 to 2020, Paul was the Policy and Engagement Manager at the African Foundation for Development (AFFORD), a leading African diaspora organisation in the UK. 

Diana Boafo was Shabaka Research Intern for the CPAS/Meta/ Shabaka project on ‘Decolonising Digital Spaces and the Diaspora’ project from July to September 2024. As an Arabic and Politics undergraduate from SOAS, Diana has four years of experience in post-colonial studies with particular focus on the politics of gender, African politics, and world decolonisation. She has also recently completed a master’s degree in international public policy at UCL.  

More speakers to be confirmed

Moderator: The panel discussion will be moderated by Dr Mikal Woldu at the Centre for Pan-African Studies (CPAS) at SOAS.

Image credit: Emmanuel Ikwuegbu via unsplash