Ubuntu Online (MOOC)

About the course

Ubuntu MOOC. Building an inclusive and sustainable world, together

Ubuntu: I am because we are, and we are because the planet is.

In a world where digitalization, protocols, and the daily pursuit of targets and competition can become ends in themselves, we seek new paths through the lens of the African philosophy Ubuntu. Paths in which humanity, dialogue, interspace, compassion, and sustainability are key concepts and the main question is 'How do I (or: how do we) contribute to a just, inclusive society and a sustainable earth?'

Education plays a pivotal role in this quest. Hence, we've developed the Ubuntu MOOC: Building an inclusive and sustainable world, together. The course addresses how you can leverage your talents or your organization's qualities for the betterment of the world. Beyond offering hope and perspective, the program provides practical tools for building a just, inclusive, and sustainable world; both individually and collaboratively with colleagues, fellow leaders, and fellow students.

In the Ubuntu MOOC, we will explore, connect, and experience the synergies between personal, professional, organizational, and societal issues on philosophical, scientific, and practical levels. We will apply Ubuntu values to work and life, contributing to the whole, in which we take part ourselves. We foster a spirit of contribution.

The approach in this Ubuntu MOOC is interdisciplinary. Twelve instructors from fields such as philosophy, economics, psychology, journalism, literature, science, politics, and art will guide you through how Ubuntu philosophy — 'I am because we are, and we are because the earth is' — operates in their respective domains, on micro, meso, and macro levels.

View the modules Time investment & enrollment

Practical information

Price: € 1,495 for 1 year of access
Modules: 12 modules
Platform: moodle.isvw.nl
Language: Dutch audio, English subtitles
Target group A: Professionals & interested individuals (120–420 hours)
Target group B: University students (minor, 15 ECTS · 420 hours)
Certificate: CEDEO-accredited on completion

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Trailer

Watch the trailer

Programme

Twelve dedicated instructors & contributors

Each with their own expertise but forming one whole, they share their knowledge and provide practical tools to help you apply the essential pillars of Ubuntu in your work and life.

Henk Haenen

Module 1 — What is Ubuntu?

Babah Tarawally

Module 2 — Existence storytelling

Kees Klomp

Module 3 — Meaning Economy

Andries Baart

Module 4 — Presence and Care Ethics

Kathleen Ferrier

Module 5 — Reconciliation and restorative justice

Leontine van Hooft

Module 6 — Ubuntu leadership and entrepreneurship

Annette Nobuntu Mul

Module 7 — Indaba and civic forums: engaged decision-making

André Nijhof

Module 8 — Sustainable entrepreneurship

Mpanzu Bamenga

Module 9 — Diversity and inclusion

Laurentien van Oranje

Module 10 — Intergenerational and international dialogue

Jan Terlouw

Module 11 — Global cooperation and the future chair

Jessica den Outer

Module 12 — Rights of Nature

With additional contributions from

Jalli Lamin Kuyateh

Kora player

Alan McSmith

Wildlife and Wilderness Guide SA

Kevin Chaplin

Managing Director Amy Foundation SA

Kubeshini Govender

Chief Education Specialist SA

What you'll learn

Learning Objectives

After completing the course, participants will have acquired the following knowledge, skills, and attitudes and are in a personal professional sense competent at:

View all 15 learning objectives ›

●Viewing individuals, teams, organizations, and countries from the strength of diversity and interconnectedness, on the level of behaviour, values and intention.
●Linking personal issues and learning objectives with the essence of 'I am because we are, and we are because the earth is.'
●Understanding and translating the theoretical background of Ubuntu philosophy from a historical perspective and as a value-oriented source of action in work and life.
●Transforming limiting beliefs into empowering beliefs and making a constructive contribution to collaboration.
●Viewing issues from an intercultural perspective, considering them from a non-polarizing 'between we and I.'
●Considering the strength and connection between the individual and the profession from the Presence Theory and fundamental care ethics.
●Experiencing and applying the path from retaliation to forgiveness: the 4-step process based on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa.
●Recognizing Reconciliation and Restorative Justice as the basis in our society: the path to restoration instead of condemnation and separation.
●Dealing with interpersonal dilemmas and applying the 'complete message' in communication and equal dialogue: eliminating duality with a twofold inclusive attitude.
●Handling emotions professionally, connecting them to values, and taking a stance in a constructive dialogue with respect for both the other and oneself.
●Conducting an integral analysis of complex organizational and societal issues from source, pillars, carriers, and beacons.
●Collaboratively creating entrepreneurship from the pillars of Ubuntu: contributing to an inclusive and sustainable organization, society, and world.
●Applying the African decision and dialogue method, the Indaba: leveraging the power of dialogue, embracing diversity, acknowledging the value beneath resistance, realizing a shared greater good, and understanding the meaning of the 'no fundamental objection principle.'
●Connecting individual, team-focused, organizational, and societal issues and vision/mission with the meaning of 'I am because we are, and we are because the earth is': the path of shared humanity from a local to global perspective.
●Developing a deep awareness of contribution in collaboration and community: at all times, we contribute to a whole, of which we are all simultaneously a part. For ourselves and our future generations.

Experiences

What participants say

"I really enjoyed the course. There is a great diversity of dedicated instructors."

Hetty Zwollo

Strategic adviser, creative communication

"I enjoyed the course enormously. I was really gripped by the inspiring stories."

Klaas Beuker

Team leader at a VMBO school in Bijlen

"Ubuntu gave me not only a language, but also practical tools."

Petra Niessen-de Bruijn

French teacher and Unesco coordinator, Lyceum Sancta Maria Haarlem

Investment

Time investment & enrollment

Target group A — Professionals & interested individuals ›

This course comprises a total of 120–420 study hours, depending on your own choice and interest. The study investment hours depend on how deeply you wish to explore, through reflection questions and assignments.

Viewing and listening to instructor videos8 hours
Recommended literature30–300 hours
Reflection and collaboration assignments20–50 hours
Final assignment on the platform20–50 hours

The average timeline for the programme is six months to a year. The Ubuntu MOOC is available for a full year.

Target group B — University students (minor, 15 ECTS) ›

This course comprises a total of 420 study hours.

Viewing and listening to instructor videos8 hours
Recommended literature312 hours
Reflection and collaboration assignments50 hours
Final assignment on the platform50 hours

The average timeline for the programme is six months. The Ubuntu MOOC is available for a full year.

If you are enrolled in an education program or minor where this MOOC is part of the curriculum, it is worth 15 ECTS credits. In such cases, customized assignments may apply. For more information, consult your study advisor.

Enrollment: become a participant too!

Your investment for the Ubuntu MOOC: Building an inclusive and sustainable world, together is €1,495. This amount grants you one year of access to the MOOC.
The course is available in both English and Dutch. The audio is generally in Dutch and is always accompanied by English subtitles.
With a minimum of 10 participants, it is possible to offer one free MOOC to someone who cannot afford it financially. For more information, contact info@isvw.nl.
5% of the investment will contribute to educational programs for the Amy Foundation in Cape Town, South Africa. You can find all information about the Amy Foundation at amyfoundation.co.za.
Upon completion, you will receive a CEDEO accredited certificate. However, we find it even more important that you stand for your talents and use them for an inclusive and sustainable world!

Enroll via ISVW