Thinking the African Paradigm with Pierre Mutunda Mwembo
Jean Willy Biayi
- Institut Supérieur Pédagogique de Mbujimayi
Abstract
This special issue, composed for Pierre Mutunda Mwembo on the occasion of his admission to emeritus, attempts - as is customary - to address one of the preoccupations of the man to whom we pay tribute.
We have therefore chosen to produce this text, inspired by his thoughts and intuitions in the field of foresight, which, in our humble opinion, did not rank last among his preoccupations in philosophy nearly five decades ago. This testifies to the longevity of his interest and the intensity of his passion for research and teaching on the subject. A very risky bet
It was hard to do better as a tribute than what is traditionally done. Unless you repeat yourself. So we preferred to do things differently: to avoid researching what the master had said and written, in other words, to avoid looking for what he had already found. Instead, we use him as a reflector.
.This monograph is offered by our journal, Cahiers de la Recherche Interdisciplinaire des Sciences (CRIS) to Pierre Mutunda, the chairman of its scientific board, professor emeritus at the University of Kinshasa, doctor of philosophy. In university traditions, this kind of text produced in honor of a university professor is the most solemn form of tribute paid to him by the community of his colleagues, students and friends.
.The thread that runs through his work, aims to underline the valuable contribution of the teacher to the international philosophical community, through new, relevant contributions and insights, on a subject as precise as it is complex as the field of foresight. Hence the title: Thinking the African Paradigm with Pierre Mutunda Mwembo.
The growing number of crises - geopolitical, health, economic, social and environmental - has our full attention. It testifies to our collective short-sightedness, and forces us to focus our resources solely on adapting to emergencies, to the detriment of the investments required to build the future. This book explains why foresight is more necessary in its dual dimension: "what can happen?" and that of action "what can we do?"
It aims to show the usefulness of strategic intelligence in foresight as an instrument of futuribles (possible futures) and anticipation, for the benefit of decision and action, the elaboration of long-term visions, policies and strategies enabling us to be actors in the construction of the future. Its aim is to explain when, how and why foresight developed, to clarify the concepts in use, the philosophies underpinning them, the operative instruments, their virtues and their limits.
Its ambition is also to give readers a pragmatic grasp of foresight methods and practices, so that they can visualize what a foresight approach consists of, as well as the different ways in which it can be organized and conducted. Without describing the various methods in detail, this publication is intended to give readers who so wish some idea of what foresight is, and to show them how it can be useful in their actions.
An assessment of Africa's current situation in a number of areas forms the foundation on which the African paradigm is to be built. This paradigm deciphers the weaknesses, strengths and opportunities of present-day Africa and, in anticipation, scans the contours of an Africa in the making, endeavoring to indicate its guidelines and foresee effective tools for action.
This African paradigm has the merit, after analyzing certain past and present events, of identifying trends before forecasting how they will evolve in the future. Its specificity lies in taking the necessary step back to face up to the challenges and anticipate developments, by stepping out of the theoretical shell and listening to African society, going out into the field, rubbing knowledge against reality and thus moving on to practice.
The very essence of the African paradigm is to draw on the lessons of Africa's general history, to take the measure of the issues of the day, and to direct the mind towards desirable and effective solutions, conducive to the fulfillment of the African's destiny.
Doing justice to the entire career of Professor Emeritus Pierre Mutunda is no easy task. Nevertheless, we have taken the risk of fulfilling this task to perfection. Thus, we celebrate with emotion and respect the researcher, the teacher and the master.
