Ouagadougou: Burkina Faso is hosting an international scientific symposium organized by the Burkinabe National Commission for UNESCO in collaboration with the Institute of Social Sciences (INSS). The event, taking place from May 22 to 23, 2026, aims to develop endogenous solutions to societal violence linked to witchcraft.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the symposium centers on the theme "Witchcraft accusations: socio-historical foundations, treatments, resilience strategies and endogenous solutions." It gathers participants from diverse fields, including justice and humanitarian action, reflecting the multidimensional nature of the issue.
Dr. Vincent Sedogo, chairman of the organizing committee, noted that the symposium will feature scientific communications from researchers both local and international, structured around four main themes. Activities will include round tables, exhibitions of documentary works, and a film screening aimed at the public. Dr. Sedogo highlighted the importance of raising awareness about the scale and current relevance of the phenomenon. He added that the symposium's outputs will include concrete proposals for combating witchcraft-related violence, culminating in the publication of a collective work to disseminate these ideas widely.
The director of INSS, Dr. Aoua Bambara/Congo, emphasized the collaborative nature of the event, bringing together researchers from Burkina Faso, the sub-region, and beyond to explore how tradition intersects with modernity in addressing witchcraft accusations that harm families.
Speaking on behalf of the National Centre for Scientific and Technological Research (CNRST), Dr. Didier Zida underlined the potential of social sciences to drive positive behavioral change and societal progress. He described the symposium as a professional and committed reflection, focused on tackling the concrete problems faced by society. Dr. Zida also pointed out that the meeting aims to underscore the roles of seers, local cosmologies, and systems of representation of misfortune, alongside the contributions of socio-economic and political partners, in resolving the phenomenon.
Dr. Zida expressed gratitude to all contributors to the organization of the symposium, underscoring its significance in addressing a pressing societal issue.