UDSM, Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Put Young Minds at the Centre of Tanzania’s Future
By Renancy Remmy, CMU
The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (RLF) East Africa have put young people at the heart of conversations about Tanzania’s future, launching the East African Youth Summer School (EAYSS) 2026as a platform for learning, critical thinking and leadership.
Speaking at the launch, UDSM Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof. Rose Upor, who represented the Vice-Chancellor Prof. William A.L. Anangisye, said investing in young people was not simply an educational responsibility, but a long-term investment in the country’s transformation.
“The ambitions we have set for 2050 will not be realised by plans and policies alone; they will ultimately have to be carried forward by people,” Prof. Upor said, stressing that today’s students will be among those entrusted with shaping Tanzania’s future.
She said universities must go beyond giving young people access to information and help them develop the ability to question, analyse, communicate responsibly and make sound decisions. She described EAYSS as a practical example of how partnerships can turn institutional commitments into meaningful opportunities for young people.
“Take full advantage of this programme. Learn from one another, challenge ideas, and take what you learn here back to your universities and communities,” she told the participants.
For Prof. Alexander Makulilo, Holder of the Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere Professorial Chair in Pan-African Studies, the Summer School is about preparing a generation that can think deeply about Africa and its future.
He said the programme uses Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere’s ideas as a starting point for wider conversations on contemporary society, social justice, Pan-African solidarity and transformative leadership.
“Leadership development must go beyond the classroom; it must equip young people with the intellectual tools and practical skills necessary to understand and transform society,” Prof. Makulilo said.
The 2026 Summer School has brought together 30 young people selected from 120 applicants from universities across Tanzania. The competitive selection considered applicants’ academic interests, intellectual engagement, motivation and commitment to the programme.
Over six weeks, participants will take part in lectures, discussions, mentorship, research, field visits and public engagement activities. The programme is designed not only to deepen their understanding of Nyerere’s ideas and contemporary African issues, but also to strengthen practical skills in research, writing, public speaking, debate, critical thinking and problem-solving.
Spaces for young people to learn, exchange ideas and develop confidence
Representing the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation East Africa, Director of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Tanzania, Ms. Katrin Voss, said the partnership with UDSM reflects the Foundation’s commitment to creating spaces where young people can learn, exchange ideas and develop the confidence to engage with issues affecting their societies.
She said the Summer School provides an important platform for young people to examine contemporary social and political questions while developing perspectives that can contribute to Tanzania, East Africa and Africa more broadly.
For the participants, however, the value of the programme goes beyond what happens in the classroom.
Delivering the Vote of Thanks, Ms. Linda Mollel, representing the EAYSS 2026 participants, thanked UDSM for opening its doors to young people from different universities and described the University as an “academic home” where participants could learn, interact and grow together.
She also appreciated the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation for investing in young people and creating a space for them to exchange ideas and develop new perspectives.
“Let us ensure that the knowledge, skills and experiences gained during the Summer School do not end with the programme. Let’s take them back to our universities and communities, put them into practice and use them to address challenges and contribute meaningfully to society,” Ms. Mollel said.
As EAYSS 2026 gets underway, the message from UDSM and the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation is clear: the future is not something young people should simply wait for; it is something they must be prepared to shape.
The Summer School therefore offers more than six weeks of academic engagement; it is an investment in the minds, confidence and leadership of a generation that will help define Tanzania’s and Africa’s future.