The Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, is pleased to announce the celebration of the 60thAnniversary of the All African Peoples' Conference (AAPC), and to issue this call for participation in the commemorative events. Hosted by Ghana in 1958, the first AAPC served as the rallying point for mobilizing ordinary Africans in the decisive struggles for liberation across the continent and beyond. The conference, attended by over 300 delegates representing political parties, civil society groups, trade unions and other working people’s organizations from the continent and the Diaspora, as well as observers from Europe, North America and China, was a precursor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and played an instrumental role in the final onslaught on colonial rule.
The theme for the commemoration, Revisiting the 1958 All-African Peoples' Conference - The Unfinished Business of Liberation and Transformation, is designed to encourage the activist groups, scholars, cultural workers and practitioners expected to assemble in Accra to engage in open and dispassionate reflection on the African condition in the contemporary world, against the backdrop of the 1958 conference. A central feature of the commemoration will be (i) the coming together of social groups working at the forefront of the unfinished business of liberation, (ii) a conventional academic conference that permits scholars and activists to share insights from research and practice, and (iii) artistic performances that showcase the beauty, diversity and uniqueness of African cultures.
Participation
Participation in the conference stream of the events is open to researchers, unionists, scholars, graduate students, policy makers, political parties, activists, civil society organizations, journalists, think tanks and individuals interested in making presentations under the following sub-themes:
- Neo-colonialism and Imperialism,
- Pan-Africanism today,
- The Peoples of Africa (including the Diaspora),
- Emancipation of Women,
- Global Warming, and
- Reparation and Restorative Justice.
The artistic performance stream is open to groups and individuals such as poets, musicians, drama groups, writers, and other cultural artists with interest in the advancement of Africa.
Call for Papers & Expression of Interest
The Organizing Committee invites individuals or groups interested in presenting papers to submit abstracts of not more than 300 words, focusing on one of the conference sub-themes, to aapc2018@ug.edu.gh. The deadline for the submission of abstracts is September 17, 2018.
Individuals and groups who wish to be considered for participation in the artistic performance stream are invited to submit a 300-word description of their specific art form and how it relates to the theme, to aapc2018@ug.edu.gh not later than September 17, 2018.
Please contact the Organizing Committee at aapc2018@ug.edu.gh if you need any clarification or assistance with your submission.