Institute of African Studies - Carleton University

February 12 2016

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African Studies Newsletter

Event @ Carleton:The Indocile Image-A Retrospective and a Symposium on the Cinema of Med Hondo

Carleton University Film Studies and World Cinema Forum Present

The Indocile Image

A Retrospective and a Symposium on the Cinema of Med Hondo

A Pioneer of African Cinema

6 Days-6 Films

A Two-Day Symposium

February 22-27, 2016

Med Hondo in person

 

Film Screenings: All films will be introduced and discussed by Director Med Hondo

Monday, February 22-5.30pm-8pm- National Gallery of Canada-Official Opening- Soleil O (1970) (105 mins)

Tuesday, February 23, 6pm-St-Patrick’s 435- Lumière Noire (1994)-(107 mins)

Wednesday, February 24-6.30pm- Dunton Tower 2017-Watani, A World without Evil (1998) (103 mins)

Thursday, February 25, 6pm- St-Patrick’s 100- Sarraounia, An African Queen (1986) (121 min)

Friday, February 26, 8pm- River Building 2200- West Indies: The Fugitive Slaves of Liberty (1979) (113 min)

Saturday, February 27, 6.30pm-River Building 2200- Fatima the Algerian Woman of Dakar (2004) (89 min)

International Symposium on the Cinema of Med Hondo

Friday, February 26

3pm- St. Patrick’s 100 –Opening and Keynote Lecture by Dr. Robert Rosenstone

4pm-Carleton University Art Gallery-Opening Reception

Saturday, February 27, 9am-5pm-St. Patrick’s 100-All-Day Symposium

Participants: Robert Rosenstone (California Institute of Technology), Phil Rosen (Brown University), Mbye Cham (Howard University), Frank Ukadike (Tulane University), Sheila Petty (University of Regina), Jude Akudinobi (University of Santa Barbara), Mourad El Fahli (Sidi Mohamed Ben AbdellahUniversity)

Event @ Carleton: “Sexual Violence and ‘Conflict’ Minerals: Dis/ordering Insecurity’”

The Global and International Studies Program would like to announce our seventh Works-in-Progress speaker, Dr. Doris Buss, whose paper “Sexual Violence and ‘Conflict’ Minerals: Dis/ordering Insecurity’” will be presented on Friday, February 26th at 12pm in D199 Loeb Building.  The discussant for this paper will be Dr. Ummni Khan (Law and Legal Studies, Carleton University). The poster for the event is attached to this email.

 

All papers will be pre-circulated two weeks in advance of each paper presentation. Please register in advance in order to receive copies of discussion papers at the following link: http://carleton.ca/bgins/2016/faculty-works-in-progress-series-doris-buss-sexual-violence-and-conflict-minerals-disordering-insecurity/

Abstract: In 2010, the United States Congress passed an extraordinary provision seeking to regulate the trade in ‘conflict minerals’ from Africa’s great lakes region, in order to address human rights abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence. This paper takes a close look at this innovative development to consider what, if any, new spaces and tools are provided with which to offer a more complex account of sexual violence, mining and conflict in central Africa. It concludes that sexual violence becomes in/visible as epiphenomenal in the context of this new provision and the ensuring debate about ‘conflict minerals’. The terms by which this happens are important to understand in the context of new regimes of governance predicated on (self) reporting and knowledge production. The analysis here considers how the ‘problem’ of mining and conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is framed and contested in the context of this new legislative enactment, and the constrained production of knowledge about sexual violence and its relationship to the political economy of conflict that results.

Un symposium de FOCUDIA à l’occasion du mois de l’histoire des Noirs

Quoi: Un symposium de FOCUDIA à l’occasion du mois de l’histoire des Noirs

 

Thème: Les minorités visibles et l’immobilier au Canada.

 

Comment les minorités peuvent tirer profit d’un pan essentiel de l’économie canadienne? Des ficelles du métier d’agent immobilier à l’augmentation à moindre frais de la valeur de sa maison en passant par la possibilité de devenir propriétaire de plusieurs maisons, des experts et spécialistes dans le domaine expliquent aux minorités comment optimiser son rapport à l’immobilier. Ces experts sont des hommes et femmes d’affaires qui ont réussi dans ce domaine et qui acceptent de partager gracieusement leurs savoirs et expériences avec nous.

: Centre communautaire Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre

Centre communautaire Rockcliffe Park Community Centre

300 Des Pères-Blancs, Ottawa ON K1L 7L5

Quand ? Le 27 février 2016 de 15h00 à 17h00.

Argumentaire :

Un rapport du conseil de planification sociale de la ville d’Ottawa, 34% des minorités visibles noires vivent dans les quartiers dits pauvres et à risque. Cette situation entraine les dites population dans une spirale vicieuse qui nuit gravement à leur épanouissement. De nombreuses barrières expliquent cet état des faits. Il y a d’abord selon ce rapport une discrimination insidieuse dans la location des maisons ainsi que l’absence d’historique qui force les immigrants à choisir les quartiers mal famés de la ville. Un rapport d’Infrastructures Canada reconnaît d’ailleurs que les pratiques d’exclusion dans le logement ont un impact négatif dans le développement harmonieux des populations.

Moins de 30% des personnes de minorités visibles noires sont propriétaires de maisons dans la région d’Ottawa-Gatineau. Les barrières à l’accès à la propriété sont nombreuses pour ces gens.

La présence des minorités visibles noires chez les agents immobiliers dans la région est quasi-nulle. Les quelques téméraires qui se sont impliqués dans le domaine ne sont pas restés longtemps. FOCUDIA se propose à travers ce symposium d’aider à relever ce défi.

 

– Entrée gratuite

– Stationnement gratuit

– Halte de garderie à la disposition de ceux qui ont des enfants en bas âge!

Veuillez confirmer votre présence.

 

Pour plus d’information, veuillez contacter :

  1. Serge Banyongen, Ph.D.  : Tél: (613) 697-5488

 

  1. Pierre Ndoumaï, Ph. D. : Tel. (613) 400-8966

CONCERT: YAO – Perles et paraboles.

Samedi 13 février 2016
19 h 30
Centre des Art Shenkman, 245 boul. Centrum, Ottawa, ON K1E 0A1

Bien que sa musique se caractérise à la base par un doux mélange de Slam, Jazz et Blues, son approche éclectique et ses escapades dans divers univers musicaux lui confèrent une sonorité riche, unique et particulièrement agréable. Originaire d’Ottawa, YAO nous revient tout juste de Paris où il a participé à l’initiative Promotion à l’international de la musique francophone ontarienne (IPIMFO) qui vise à promouvoir les artistes de l’Ontario à l’international. Billets : mifo.ca
Évènement Facebook :  https://www.facebook.com/events/1687580591455848/

Black Ottawa Business Network Social Group 2nd annual “Our Health Matters” Fundraiser

Friday, February 19, 2016
6:30pm
Montgomery Legion -330 Kent St, Ottawa

This Interactive Speaker Series is a yearly initiative that has  been formed to create an awareness around the affects of Diabetes in the afro/Caribbean/Canadian community. EDUCATION: Our mission is to educate the community on -Diabetes Basics -Signs & Symptoms -Body Movement & Daily Activities -Management & Prevention -Nutrition & Daily Intake -Proper Foot Care -Diabetes Screenings -Health Insurance Coverage -Diabetes Charter for Canada ENTERTAINMENT: We will have a wonderful array of  music, poetry and songs by local artists. EXPO: Our mini market will have a silent auction, door prizes & feature  local businesses and service providers that contribute to health and wellness. Admission: $15.00 * Online tickets available at >http://www.sophiajevents.com/our-health-matters-2016.html

REMINDER-Event @ Carleton:”Human Rights and The Public Sphere in Africa Conference”

The Institute of African Studies – in conjunction with the Human Rights Research and Education Centre of the University of Ottawa – is pleased to announce its 2016 annual conference:Theme: “Human Rights and the Public Sphere in Africa”

Date:  March 4 – 5, 2016.

Venue: Carleton University, River Building Room 2220

Time: March 4 (Keynote Lecture: 5:30 pm)&  March 5 (Conference Day: 8: 45 am)

This international and interdisciplinary conference intends to facilitate scholarly discussions on the challenges, opportunities, and debates facing the promotion and effective realization of human rights in Africa. Panels include:“Human Rights in Africa and African Human Rights: Retrospective and Perspective,”

“Alternative Approaches to Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Africa”

“Development and Human Rights in Africa”

“Human Rights and African Regional Integration Projects”

“Health and Human Rights in Africa”
The keynote lecture, “Ethnicity, Identity, and Human Rights in Africa”, will be delivered by Ato Quayson, one of Africa’s most influential cultural theorists, Professor of English and Director, Centre for Diaspora and Transnational Studies, University of Toronto. Panels feature acclaimed scholars from Canadian Universities, United Nations officials, and practitioners from Canada, the United States, and Europe.

REMINDER-Events @ Carleton: CU Black History Month 2016: IT’S LIT

IT’S LIT! #BHMCU
Hosted by CUSA REC Hall


Join us in celebrating Black History Month 2016 at Carleton University, in FREE events all month long! These events are open to the public- we look forward to meeting you all.

FEBRUARY 22nd: Hip Hop Karaoke – 830 PM, Rooster’s

FEBRUARY 23rd: Netflix and Chill: Paris is Burning, 6 PM, 314 UC

FEBRUARY 23rd: Southern Hospitality- 830-10 PM, Rooster’s
A poetry and music night celebrating the soulful spirit of the southern United States. Soul food will be served. This event is free of charge.

FEBRUARY 24th: BHM SHOW 2016: IT’S LIT! 8-10 PM, UC Galleria/Atrium

FEBRUARY 25th&26th: Hip Hop Feminism – Theory of Hip Hop 630-9 PM, TBD
This edition of Hip Hop Feminism will focus on the commodification of hip hop, blackness and culture. With specific focus on queer black history, this discussion will explore black queer erasure within hip hop culture and the politics of appropriation.

Dope events brought to you by CUSA REC Hall and the following service centres and clubs and socities: CUSA Womyn’s Centre, CUSA Gender and Sexuality Resource Centre, Institute of African Studies Student Association, CUBSA – Carleton University Black Student Alliance and ROOTS.

Any questions or accessibility concerns should be forwarded to rec_hall@cusaonline.ca where we will be more than happy to assist you.

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!

Doctoral Researcher – Energy Cultures in Urban Africa (DR Congo, Lubumbashi)

(Ref. BAP-2016-29)

Occupation : Full-time
Period : Fixed-term contract
Place : Leuven
Apply no later than : March 31, 2016
For the Institute for Anthropological Research in Africa we are looking for a

Doctoral Researcher – Energy Cultures in Urban Africa (DR Congo, Lubumbashi)

The Institute for Anthropological Research in Africa (IARA) is a research unit at the Faculty of Social Sciences, and promotes empirical and theoretical research on urban processes in Sub-Saharan Africa. As part of a new research project on technology & Society, we are hiring a doctoral researcher to work towards a PhD dissertation on energy cultures in Lubumbashi.

Responsibilities

  • You will enroll in the doctoral training program Social and Cultural Anthropology at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the KU Leuven;
  • You prepare a doctoral dissertation on the urban and energy, as part of the project Technology in Urban DR Congo (1960-present): Kinshasa, Kikwit and Lubumbashi
  • You become an active member of a dynamic, academic research unit, which provides a comfortable and inspiring environment for anyone interested in scientific research with international impact.

Profile

  • You obtained an MA degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology, Development Studies or another discipline in the Social Sciences relevant for the project;
  • You succeeded with at least the degree of distinction and you meet all the requirements to enroll in the doctoral training program of the university;
  • You are interested in carrying out scientific research;
  • You possess the necessary communication skills and enjoy working in a team;
  • You agree to learn Swahili and to carry out ethnographic research in Lubumbashi (minimum 18 months, over a total of 4 years).

Offer

We offer a full-time contract for 4 years, with a possibility of one additional year.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Katrien Pype, tel.: +32 16 32 04 82, mail: katrien.pype@soc.kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Filip De Boeck, tel.: +32 16 32 60 46, mail: filip.deboeck@soc.kuleuven.be.

You can apply for this job no later than March 31, 2016 via the

Goldsmiths, University of London, Centre for Caribbean & Diaspora Studies (CCDS) Conference

27-8 June, 2016

Caribbean and Diasporic Dialogues in the University

The conference aims to challenge the limited visibility of Caribbean and Diaspora Studies in many higher education institutions and to interrogate the ways in which the precarious presence/ absence of indigenised black thought, currently being highlighted primarily through protest within, for example, higher education culture in countries like the UK, might be transformed. The theme of the conference – ‘Caribbean and Diasporic Dialogues in the University’ – seeks to foster and develop multi- and interdisciplinary conversations exploring critical, theoretical, historical and creative questions in a number of related fields that together contribute to Caribbean and Diaspora Studies.

We are especially interested to move beyond the construct of area studies ‘out there’ and to heighten the transglobal, transnational and postcolonial present with which Caribbean and diasporic research and arts practices are already richly conversant. We aim to engage a wide audience of scholars and practitioners researching these areas from within a range of disciplinary fields and contexts.

 

To present a paper: please send a proposed title and abstract (of no more than 300 words) with a short CV to the conference organizing committee at

caribbean@gold.ac.uk

Abstracts from postgraduates and early career researchers are very welcome.

Deadline for Abstracts and Panel Proposals:

Proposal/ Submission Deadline: 7 March 2016

Notification of Acceptance: 23 March 201

Submission Types

  • Individual papers: These are academic papers (to be grouped into panel sessions: each paper not to exceed 20 minutes).
  • Project presentations: These are 10–minute presentations of research/development projects of potential impact on cultural/ pedagogical practice and the academy. (To be part of a plenary panel).

Call for Papers-“Rwanda – A Developmental state and Donor Darling?”

Call for Papers 

Academic workshop on 

“Rwanda – A Developmental state and Donor Darling?” 

Bonn, 6 – 7 October 2016

(submission deadline: 15 March 2016)

1. Workshop theme 

The goal of this workshop is to provide a space to reflect on the current state of discussions regarding socio-economic development and the role of internal and external actors in the specific case of Rwanda. Questions to be addressed at the workshop include: What is Rwanda’s brand of development? What tools are behind Rwanda’s development? Should we consider Rwanda a success, or as a source of concern? How does Rwanda navigate its relations with donors? Given recent controversies, are we entering a new phase of donor-government relations in Rwanda?

In international debates, Rwanda is a unique country for several reasons. To start, Rwanda serves as an interesting case for development and governance debates (i.e., “developmental states”, “political settlement”, “home-grown solutions” etc.). It is regularly hailed—by both policymakers and scholars—as a model of development and a success story in terms of carving out its own development and governance approach, often receiving praise for innovative modalities, such as Vision 2020, the Vision 2020 Umurenge program (VUP), and the Imihigo performance contracts.

However, growing voices also raise important concerns about development and governance trends in Rwanda, especially amidst the current controversy surrounding the decision of the President to run for a third term despite constitutional limits. Many question the form and speed of key development programs, raising important issues regarding how they benefit – or punish – local populations. In addition, a growing number of scholars and international non-governmental organizations working in the field of governance are increasingly critical of the quality of democracy in Rwanda, as well as Rwanda’s broader role in the region (especially regarding the conflict situation in Eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC). According to some scholars, even instruments previously hailed by external actors, such as the Imihigo contracts, are being used to strengthen control in the country.

In addition to raising a number of interesting questions regarding Rwanda’s developmental path, these debates also suggest that we maybe entering a new phase of donor-government relations in

Rwanda. Many scholars hold Rwanda to be unique in terms of the relations it has built with key donors, often labeling it as a ‘donor darling’ – both before and after the genocide. These relations are the result, many believe, of clear efforts on the part of Rwandan authorities to hold the international community accountable for its inaction during the 1994 genocide. But are these relations changing? Amidst growing international criticism over Rwanda’s involvement in DRC and the controversial mandates, key international allies have sent strong signals to Rwanda, possibly pointing to an important change in terms of aid relations.

2. Workshop panels 

Depending on submissions received, the workshop might be organized around the following four panels:

a) Developmental states in Africa: the case of Rwanda: This panel aims at a better conceptual understanding of the case of Rwanda based on current theoretical and conceptual thinking. The Rwandan case might provide a starting point to sharpen conceptual debates further, with comparative work welcome.

b) Development results and sectoral approaches in Rwanda: This panel is devoted to aspects of the socio-economic development of the country. What are specific features of an effective governance approach? What are features and results of poverty reduction? What is the role of the sub-national level when it comes to service delivery? What is the role of the private sector? The panel might also discuss approaches in specific sectors like health, education, energy and agriculture.

c) Voice and accountability – political governance aspects: This panel aims to reflect on political governance aspects in Rwanda. Papers might deal with the foundations of Rwanda’s political system, the role of parliament, government, civil society and media. The panel might include international approaches to measure governance approaches versus home-grown approaches and aspects related to the Presidential system (including the “3rd term debate”).

d) External actors and Rwanda: Since Rwanda is still a country with limited domestic resources and the government depends to a high degree on development cooperation. At the same time Rwanda is a country with a strong leadership approach and supporter of aid effectiveness principles. This panel might address questions with regards to the uniqueness of Rwanda’s relationship with its donors, and whether or not the relationship is currently being transformed.

3. Workshop proceedings 

The one and a half day workshop will take place on 6 and 7 October 2016 (the timetable will be fixed after the evaluation of the submitted papers) at the German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut fuer Entwicklungspolitik (DIE) in Bonn, Germany.

4. Submission of abstracts and final papers 

We will accept paper submissions that fit the workshop theme and the topic of one of the four panels outlined above. Paper abstracts should include title, author(s) (including complete contact information) and an abstract of no more than 400 words. Please submit the abstract by email to Rwanda-Workshop-2016@die-gdi.de in PDF or MS Word format and indicate “Rwanda – a developmental state? Donor darling?” in the subject heading.

The deadline for the submission of abstracts is 15 March 2016

All proposals will be assessed and lead authors will be notified by 11 April 2016 if their submissions have been accepted. Upon approval of abstracts, final papers in the range of 5,000–8,000 words need to be submitted by 9 September 2016.

5. Travel grants 

The workshop organizers do not have any kind of funding for travel grants.

6. Workshop organizers 

The workshop is jointly organized by:

Marie-Eve Desrosiers, Ph.D 

University of Ottawa, Ottawa

E-mail: mdesros3@uottawa.ca

Phone: +1 (613) 562-5800, ext. 8987

Haley Swedlund, Ph.D 

Radboud University, Nijmegen

E-Mail: h.swedlund@fm.ru.nl

Phone: +31 24 361 5687

Dr Stephan Klingebiel 

German Development Institute/ Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik, Bonn

E-Mail: Stephan.Klingebiel@die-gdi.de

Phone: +49(0) 228-949.27.299

Please use the following e-mail address for your workshop related communication: Rwanda-Workshop-2016@die-gdi.de 

African Literature Rising

‘Just as a baker bakes because he is a baker, and a farmer farms because he is a farmer, a thief steals because he is a thief, a writer writes because he is a writer.’  – Meja Mwangi, Kenyan novelist

‘Until lions can tell their own stories, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the (human) hunter.’ – Swahili proverb

My name is Alex Nderitu and I am a Kenyan writer and literature promoter (best known for introducing e-books to Kenya). African literature has grown exponentially over the last 15 or so years and I’ve been documenting these changes using a series of research papers (www.AlexanderNderitu.com/papers). Attached to this, is one such research paper, entitled Changing Kenya’s Literary Landscape, Part 2: Past, Present & Future.

In the spirit of promoting African literature, I am offering you this online resource, completely free and with without obligation. I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it, and you may share it with whomever you wish.

The topics include:

– WRITERS IN POLITICS: A sampling of the world’s greatest political books, with special focus on Africa

– SWAHILI LITERATURE and the case for KISWAHILI AS AFRICA’S LINGUA FRANCA

– HIGHER LEARNING: Do Universities Kill by Degrees?

– FOUND IN TRANSLATION: How translation is opening doors to other markets

– KENYA vs UGANDA: Who has better writers?

– NOOKS, VOOKS & E-BOOKS: What the e-book revolution is all about

– JEREMIAH’S WATERS: The relationship between Scribes and Alcohol (in ‘staggering’ detail)

– CRAZY LIKE A FOX: A hilarious analysis of Humorists, plus tips on how to write Jokes, Satires and Comedies

– Literary movements: StoryMoja, Kwani?, PEN International

– Scribbling Rivalry: Writing Families

– ON WRITING: How some the world’s most fabled writers wrote – and what we can learn from them

 
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