Emerging Africa
Old Friends, New Partnerships and Perspectives for the 21st Century
International Conference
“Keep your friends close – and your rivals even closer.” Nelson Mandela
14 – 16 June 2012
University of Pécs, Hungary
CALL FOR PAPERS
The Africa Research Centre of the Department of Political Studies, University of Pécs, in co-operation with Hungary’s Africa Studies journal (Afrika Tanulmányok) will host its second international interdisciplinary conference on Africa and Africa-related research.
CENTRAL THEME
Africa has been on the rise in a number of different ways: the continent and many of its states have a growing weight in the transnational global politico-economic arena of today. According to recent surveys, up until 2030 the African continent will keep a strong annual growth rate of around 6-7%, parallel to which, it will continue stabilising its political frameworks and processes, therefore, will be able to transmit a new “image”, which is inevitable for any long-term investment and development at large. Among the most intriguing issues we find the changing African cities, which have a substantial influence on the changing social and physical environment, as well as the transforming dichotomy between urban and rural areas, traditions and human relations; the growing middle class across the continent, which will have the strength to support and/or drive fundamental changes in their societies in the long run; or the new type of competition among actors with historic ties with Africans, and other, sometimes more dynamic and pragmatic entities of the semi-peripheries of the Global South. In light of all these it is time to further discuss the relations of African states with global key actors, the development of regional organisations, the future of the African Union, etc.
The main challenges will be highlighted with the help of two prominent scholars of African research who will deliver the keynote lectures of the conference: Prof. Goran Hyden (University of Florida, USA) and Prof. Ian Taylor (University of St. Andrews, Scotland, UK).
GOALS
The conference is planned to provide a bi-annual forum for African, Western and Central/Eastern European scholars to discuss a selected circle of inter- and multidisciplinary issues in social sciences and humanities on Africa in the 21st century. The event intends to strengthen the active involvement of the young Africa Research Centre of Pécs to the network of European Centres of African Studies – in particular within the Visegrad community in Central Europe – and to provide fresh thoughts/approaches to international and Hungarian think tanks of different fields, as well.
APPLICATION
The working language ofthe conference will be English. Scholars of all levels are encouraged to apply. Please, submit an abstract (max. 300 words) along with your name, affiliation (institution) and e-mail address to tarrosy@publikon.hu until midnight 15 March 2012.
The Scientific Board of the Conference will make the selection by 25 March and notify the accepted candidates no later than 27 March.
As part of the event a separate students’ section will offer the ground for undergraduate, graduate and PhD students to deliver presentations on their research topics/ongoing research. When applying as a student, please, indicate that you wish to contribute to this particular section.
THE VENUE OF THE CONFERENCE
The Dél-dunántúli Regionális Könyvtár és Tudásközpont (South Transdanubian Regional Library and Knowledge Centre
which can be found at 7622 Pécs, Universitas utca/street 2/A
(Google Maps:
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=200597612116483534632.0004c208900ba00bd17b1&msa=0&ll=
46.074466,18.241918&spn=0.0071,0.013711).
PARTICIPATION
Selected presenters will be invited to submit their full papers until 31 May 2012. The steps and requirements of the full paper submission will be sent to the selected presenters along with the e-mail of notification. After the event the organisers plan to publish a book in co-operation with LIT Verlag, Germany, together with a special issue of the newly founded e-journal “Central European Africa Studies Review” (CEASR).
After having been selected for the conference, transfer the conference fee of 60 EUR to the conference account provided for you in a separate e-mail. The fee includes full participation in the conference lectures, the buffet lunches and the conference dinners. The optional cultural programme on 16 June costs 40 EUR per person.
There are three categories of conference fee: (1) the amount of the fee is 60 EUR between 27 March and 30 April; (2) after 30 April it is 70 EUR; (3) after 1 June and on the spot it is 80 EUR.
Those who wish to take part in the event as participants without a paper are requested to pay the conference fee of 60 EUR.
Arrange your accommodation in advance in Pécs. The organisers will assist you with information on optimal bookings and related issues. Arrange your travel accordingly. In this respect, the organisers will help you find the best ways to get to Pécs.
SCIENTIFIC BOARD
Paper proposals/abstracts will be considered and selected by the Scientific Board of the Conference composed of the following researchers/experts: Gábor Búr (Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest), Sándor Csizmadia (Corvinus University, Budapest and University of Pécs), Attila T. Horváth (Budapest University of Technology and Economics), Loránd Szabó (University of Pécs), István Tarrósy (University of Pécs), Jan Záhořík (University of West Bohemia in Pilsen), Katarína Bajzíková (Africam Centre of Slovakia), Hana Horaková and Katerina Werkman (Metropolitan University Prague), Dominik Kopiński (University of Wrocław).
CONTACT
István TARRÓSY, Ph.D., tarrosy@publikon.hu
Department of Political Studies, Africa Research Centre,
Faculty of Humanities, University of Pécs
organiser of the conference
Loránd SZABÓ, szabo.lorand@pte.hu
Department of Modern History, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pécs
organiser of the conference