Initiative
Annual Peter da Costa
Memorial Lecture Series
The Peter da Costa Memorial Lecture, established by the African Leadership Centre (ALC), is an annual event honouring the life and legacy of the late Dr Peter da Costa, former Vice-Chair of the ALC Board of Trustees and a distinguished mentor.
This lecture series celebrates Dr da Costa’s profound commitment to advancing peace, security, and development in Africa, while inspiring new thinking and dialogue on these critical issues. Through this lecture series, we remember and honour Dr da Costa’s vision and dedication, ensuring that his contributions continue to inspire future generations of African leaders and scholars.
Peter da Costa’s Legacy at the African Leadership Centre
The late Dr Peter da Costa, former Vice-Chair of the ALC Board of Trustees and a dedicated mentor, was deeply passionate about the African Leadership Centre (ALC). He devoted much of his time to shaping the organisation’s evolution and strategic direction through his insightful contributions and ideas.
Dr Da Costa was deeply interested in the philosophy of knowledge and the power dynamics involved in its production, transfer, and communication. He was particularly concerned with how unequal power dynamics affect the perception and engagement of knowledge produced on Africa or by Africans and was committed to influencing these narratives.
He believed that the way the ALC’s story is told and the communication of its knowledge would significantly enhance its impact and help achieve its mission more quickly. Dr Da Costa was instrumental in expanding the ALC’s reach through digital resources, including the ALC Pan African Radio. He also pioneered strategic communication initiatives and contributed to developing the ALC’s methodology for assessing its long-term impact.
As a mentor, Dr Da Costa emphasized the importance of amplifying the voices of ALC Fellows and Associates. He built a strong connection between their ideas for change and the effective use of knowledge to drive that change. He stressed the importance of communicating research, influencing policy, and decision-making, particularly in contexts where homegrown African ideas often go unrecognised or marginalised.
Dr Da Costa believed in producing knowledge that is both excellent and relevant to African societies. He advocated that any initiative or product valuable to the transformation or progress of a community should hold significant weight in decision-making processes. He was committed to nurturing young African talent at the ALC with this principle at the forefront of his mentorship.