Re-engaging Pan-Africanism

Confirmed speakers:

Nana Kobina Nketsia, Afua Hirsh, Professor Kwesi Prah, Dr. Lazare Ki-Zerbo, Prof Hakim Adi, Prof Aurora Figeuroa, Sis Esther Stanford-Xosei, Kofi Klu, Dr Amzat Boukari-Yabara, Dr Foluke Adebisi

Re-engaging Pan Africanism will be held at Birmingham City University, UK from September  6-8^th, 2018. The aim of the conference is to bring together a range of academics, activists, policy makers and members of the public to re-engage in Pan-African politics. We are planning to us the conference as a starting point for organising a major Pan-African conference on the continent of Africa in two year’s time. Space will be given in the programme to discuss location, practicalities and philosophy. We are also inviting speakers from both the African continent and the Diaspora who can help pull together this vision.

The conference is the culmination of the Blackness in Britain: Beyond the Black Atlantic Arts and Humanities Research Council funded  research network. Over the past year and a half we have been trying to build a network of scholar and activists. Previous events included the Black Mediterranean in Action and Black Education for Liberation: In conversation with Latin America. We plan to use the networks created from these convenings to build a truly global network that link Africa and the Diaspora. We also plan to publish a journal using key papers and discussions from the events. Because the conference is funded, there will be no registration fee.

We are looking for papers that engage with contemporary issues of Pan-Africanism either in the Diaspora or on the African continent. These can include a range of topics from history, politics, education, culture, ecology, theology, psychology and the practicalities of Pan-Africanism. Presentations can also take place in a variety of forms and we are open to submissions of panels. This conference is not restricted to academics so we definitely also seek submissions from policy makers, community and activist groups.

Please send an abstract of no more than 250 words by 1 August, 2018 to researchnetwork@blackstudies.org.uk