The launch of the UNESCO UNITWIN Network EpiNet; Education, Epistemic Justice and Knowledge Commons

Date(s): 05/05/2026 - 05/05/2026
Location : Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa

EpiNet was formally launched by the network anchor, Dr George Openjuru, Professor at Gulu University, Uganda, along with Dr Rajesh Tandon. They were joined virtually by network partners- Professor Budd Hall, Dr Leon Tikly, Dr Keith Holmes, Dr Prachi Srivastava, and Dr Catherine Odora Hoppers, who came together to celebrate this important moment.

EpiNet, represents a collective commitment to transforming global knowledge systems. At its core, EpiNet challenges entrenched inequalities in education by advancing epistemic justice, recognising the plurality of knowledge systems, and positioning knowledge as a shared global commons. Rooted in the principles of knowledge democracy, the network seeks to bridge divides between academic, Indigenous, and community knowledge, while elevating voices and traditions that have long been marginalised.

Through initiatives such as a Global Knowledge Observatory, thematic Communities of Practice, open-access resources, and policy engagement, EpiNet will foster intercultural dialogue, equitable partnerships, and collaborative knowledge creation across regions and institutions. It aims not only to democratise access to knowledge but also to reshape how knowledge itself is valued, produced, and shared- ensuring it serves inclusive, just, and sustainable futures.

EPINET stands as a catalytic platform within UNESCO and the global higher education ecosystem- working to decolonise curricula, promote open science, strengthen institutional systems, and centre lived and community knowledge in research, learning, and policy.