Africa has a very rich, vibrant and resilient culture. However, there is very little that is known by Africans at home and those overseas about themselves and the resultant linkages. The Atlantic slave trade marked the beginning of the dispersal of people of African descent to the new world. This has continued to have a debilitating effect on Africa and the African Diaspora's development. African history has for years been distorted in the same manner that her peoples had been dehumanized. The spread of African culture has brought about economic and cultural development of people outside Africa, unfortunately at Africa 's expense.
The attendant severance of every possible means of contacts impaired the depth of knowledge and exchange on the two divides – Africans on the continent and Africans in the Diaspora. The palpable lack of knowledge of the inherent potentialities for socio-economic ends has impeded the rise of Africa and Africans in the world's socio-economic and political spaces. While the Diaspora does not have the full grasp of the diverse potentials in Africa embedded in the richness of its history, culture and religion; Africans on the continent also appear not to be giving due consideration to the many derivable benefits from exploring the potentials of its external contents.
It is the realization of the foregoing and the need to transcend these challenges that has made the organization of a colloquium to examine these issues very imperative. Thus, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization ( CBAAC) in conjunction with Pan African Strategic and Policy Research Group (PANAFSTRAG), Institute for Afro-Brazilian Studies (IPEAFRO), Brazil and the State University of Rio de Janeiro is orgainsing a colloquium to facilitate closer cultural links between continental and Diaspora Africa. Conference participants are encouraged to submit abstract of not more than 250 words on any aspects of the broad sub themes identified below:
The Keynote Speaker for the colloquium is Prof Abdias Do Nascimento:
SUB THEMES:
• Teaching African and Diaspora History: Theoretical and Methodological Issues
• Historicizing Africa and the Diaspora
• Indigenous Knowledge System: Politics, Economics, Health and Legal systems
• Global African Identity
• Sports, Visual and Performing Arts
• Liberation Ideologies in Africa and in the Diaspora
• Slavery: Past and Present
• African Spirituality and Values
• Religion and Morality
• Popular Culture: Music, Dance and Folklores
• Contemporary Development, Co-operation and Linkages
• Gender and Race Relation
• Media: Language and Communication
• Social Capital and Development
• Globalization, African History and Culture
WORKSHOP THEMES
• The Politics of Teaching and Propagating African and Diaspora History and Culture
• African Values, Ethics and Development
• Curriculum Development and Implementation
• Spirituality, Religion and Africa - Diaspora Relations
• Challenges and Prospects of Africa – Diaspora Relationships
All abstracts should include title, the author(s) name, institutional affiliation, address, telephone number and email address. All abstracts for consideration which must be in electronic format should be received not later than 30 th June, 2008 by all of the following individuals:
1. tunde_babawale@yahoo.com
2. akinalao@yahoo.com
3. isholawilliams@yahoo.com
4. ibraheem_muheeb@yahoo.com
Authors whose abstracts are accepted would be notified not later than 30 th of July 2008 while all papers for presentation must be received in electronic format not later than 30 th September, 2008 .
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Further details on financial support by CBAAC for authors of successful abstracts would be provided later. While the conference is open, non-paper presenters who may wish to participate in the workshops are encouraged to seek funding from other sources.
The official languages of the conference are: English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. |
