Trainer
Jean-Paul Sagadou
One of the trainers at the first Ubuntu Philosophy School in Saly, Senegal.
The Ubuntu greeting that begins with recognition
Sawubona: I see you.
Ubuntu begins by acknowledging the presence, essence and worth of the other. From that act of recognition, community becomes possible.
From Dr. Lagoke’s archive
Ubuntu in action, through the photographs he shared.
Open any photograph to begin the eight-image slideshow documenting the Ubuntu Philosophy School and Dr. Lagoke’s public engagements.
About the Foundation
A more humane world, shaped through Ubuntu.
The Ubuntu Philosophy Foundation works to build a world of empathy, peace, shared human dignity, mutual responsibility and communal justice in Africa and beyond.
We turn Ubuntu into actionable knowledge, education and public programs that bridge social divides, strengthen community-led development and connect Pan-African thought with practical action.
Read the complete vision, mission and objectives
The founder
A life’s work devoted to Ubuntu and African unity.
Dr. Gnaka Lagoke is a Pan-African scholar, educator and advocate who brings Ubuntu into conversations about governance, human rights, reparations and Africa’s integrated development.
Meet Dr. LagokePeople of Ubuntu
The work grows through people who teach, serve and connect.
Ubuntu becomes visible through the people who carry it into classrooms, workshops and community life.
Volunteer in Chief
Ange David Baimey
Supporting the Foundation’s work through service and community participation.
Featured Foundation story
Ubuntu at the World Public Assembly: Dr. Gnaka Lagoke in Moscow
At the Second World Public Assembly, Dr. Lagoke brought Ubuntu into a dialogue on the values that can unite humanity.
Read this story on its own pageFrom the event coverage
Dr. Lagoke in the Moscow broadcast
The Second World Public Assembly gathered voices from across regions and traditions around a central question: which values can help people build trust, responsibility and a shared future? Dr. Gnaka Lagoke entered that conversation with Ubuntu.
A dialogue on values that unite
The Assembly’s official report says that 5,528 people from 154 countries registered for the gathering, whose opening and plenary session carried the theme “New World: Values That Unite.” Participants examined the place of peace, dignity, dialogue, cultural diversity and responsibility in public life.
For the Ubuntu Philosophy Foundation, this setting matters because it places African philosophy within an international exchange without separating it from its ethical roots. Ubuntu begins with relationship: people become fully human through one another.
Ubuntu in a global conversation
According to the official account, Dr. Lagoke described human development as relational rather than isolated—shaped by family, society, culture and historical memory. He presented Ubuntu as an African philosophical language capable of responding to questions of dignity, cooperation and collective responsibility.
“I am because we are.”
Ubuntu maxim, cited in the official World Public Assembly report
The report also records Dr. Lagoke’s emphasis that related convictions can be recognized across different societies. That recognition does not erase the distinct histories of peoples; it creates a basis for listening, mutual respect and action together.
From values to shared responsibility
The Assembly’s survey of participants named peace and non-violence, dialogue and mutual understanding, respect and dignity, diversity, empathy, cooperation and responsibility to future generations among the values most often associated with humanity’s future. Its stated outcome is a Charter of Values of the New World.
Dr. Lagoke’s participation shows how Ubuntu can contribute to that work: not as a decorative slogan, but as a practical way of asking how public life can honor interdependence and protect the dignity of every person.
In Dr. Lagoke’s own words
A new African narrative, rooted in African values.
From Addis Ababa, Dr. Gnaka Lagoke presents Ubuntu as both an ethical foundation and a practical framework for African unity, cooperation and shared progress.
“We have many more things in common than things that divide us.”
The video is in English. English captions and French subtitles are available from the player controls.
Foundation story
“Humanity through Unity”: Dr. Gnaka Lagoke brings Ubuntu to the Addis Ababa summit
GlobUs reports on Dr. Gnaka Lagoke’s participation in the Addis Ababa summit and his contribution to discussions on Ubuntu, economic consciousness and Pan-Africanism.
Read the full story
New conference video
Ubuntu, Nité and the work of Pan-African unity
In this conference excerpt, Dr. Lagoke connects the unfinished work of African unity with Ubuntu, Nité, reparatory justice and the intellectual inheritance of Pan-African leaders.
Watch and read the story
Ubuntu Philosophy School
Learning as a circle, not a hierarchy.
The School brings scholarship, community experience, culture, faith and tradition into the same conversation—so everyone can teach, listen and learn.
From thought to action
Six pathways from philosophy to shared action.
The Foundation applies Ubuntu to education, health, leadership, justice, community learning and international cooperation.
01
Education Reform
Communal learning that recognizes many valid sources of knowledge and gives every participant a voice as both teacher and learner.
Flagship program02
Health & Community Wellbeing
Public education, advocacy and community-centered dialogue that connect care, empathy and collective responsibility to healthier societies.
03
Ubuntu Leadership Academy
Developing compassionate servant leaders who place communities first and help rebuild the social bonds that allow people to thrive.
04
Ubuntu Philosophy School
A flagship learning experience for civil-society leaders, environmentalists, intellectuals, journalists and community builders.
05
Reparatory Justice
Advancing a holistic vision of restoration that addresses dignity, systemic racism, cultural erasure, climate justice and global inequality.
06
Ubuntu Network International
A global circle—UNI, “you and I”—connecting people and organizations committed to justice, cooperation and shared prosperity.
Conferences & workshopsWorld Social Forum dialogueMandela DayUbuntu Awards
Read the complete program descriptions
A philosophy lived together
The public should not only listen. It should participate.
Digital participation connects the Foundation’s ideas to the people who live them—on the website and through our official Facebook page.
Community pollIn development
Who best embodies Ubuntu today?
Visitors will be able to choose from a curated shortlist or nominate a person whose life reflects dignity, solidarity and service.
Help shape the first pollUbuntu AwardsFuture program
Celebrate the people who make Ubuntu visible.
A public recognition program honoring people whose work strengthens community and advances our shared humanity.
The Foundation podcast
Voice of Ubuntu
Conversations for One Africa.
Dr. Gnaka Lagoke and invited voices will explore the ideas, people and practical pathways that can move Africa toward unity and shared progress.
What Ubuntu really means
Education and consciousness
Africa and its diaspora
Leadership for one Africa
Follow the podcast launch
Ubuntu in action
From learning circles to international diplomacy.
A growing visual record of Ubuntu in practice across Accra, Saly and international public forums.
Select any photograph to open the gallery. Use the arrows, keyboard or a swipe gesture to continue.
2Languages live
6Program areas
1Shared human future
Ubuntu in practice
Seeing People and Communities First.
Acknowledging the presence, essence and worth of the other within the community is where Ubuntu begins—and where shared progress becomes possible.
Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu A person is a person through other persons.
Nit nite moy garabam A person is a remedy for other persons.
A worldwide conversation
Rooted in Africa.
Open to the world.
Four ways to enter the conversation.
The publishing plan includes English, French, Spanish and Portuguese so the Foundation can speak across regions and communities.
ENFRESPT
Preserve the work. Expand its reach.
Future pages will organize lectures, interviews, books, photographs and academic exchanges—including approved Lincoln University material.
Contribute archival materialBuild the future together
Let’s start a conversation.
Invite Dr. Gnaka to speak, request information, explore a partnership, or share an opportunity with the Foundation.
Speaking requests are reviewed before availability is confirmed.