Oxford opens a new chapter on Pan-Africanism

The ‘Pan-Africanism for the New Generation’ conference at the University of Oxford marks a turning-point in the history of Pan-Africanism. To be held on 4 June 2011 at St Antony’s College at the University of Oxford, the event will unite students, activists and academics across the United Kingdom to reflect on challenges facing their countries at the turn of the 21st century. What sets it apart from the previous generation championed by Kwame Nkrumah, Marcus Garvey and Jomo Kenyatta, to mention a few, is the context in which it unfolds.

As African Union leaders and heads of states in Africa and the Caribbean respond to the challenges of poverty, political instability and poor economic growth, Pan-Africanism for the new generation opens up a new chapter of dialogue among young researchers, policy makers and social movements in addressing the future of their countries. Beyond idealism, practical projects need to be initiated. Among these includes the joint publication of the African/Caribbean Academic Journal and the New Generation Pan-Africanism, online journals and newsletters respectively. These shall become high-level platforms that share strategies and solutions that promote growth, development, sustainable livelihoods, leadership and building social cohesion for partners in the UK, Africa and Caribbean.

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS

As the United Kingdom currently reviews its policies on admissions (in particular, Tier 4 policy) as well as seeing an unprecedented rise in international fees, it is African and Caribbean students who are likely to feel significant pressure given the socio-economic state in which our countries stand. Strengthening relationships among our organisations in order to discuss the future of our students in the United Kingdom is of utmost importance. Furthermore, a partnership is important in assisting qualified graduates to identify opportunities in their home countries upon completion. However, this is not an easy path with current political uncertainties in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya – to mention a few – and poverty in Haiti, Sudan and Somalia, among others.

Together, collective solutions can be forged, and with one voice, the research organisers believe, common understanding with the UK government on many issues can be reached. Further, the conference acknowledges the important role already played by other strategic organisations for the interest of Africa and the Caribbean in the UK. Their participation in the conference will be vital in building a formidable alliance and collaboration on issues of mutual interest. In particular, the focus is on research and the well-being of African and Caribbean students and their partnerships in current research.

BEYOND THE ORDINARY

In view of the current leadership bankruptcy in many African and Caribbean countries, foremost on its agenda the conference seeks to galvanise support for the development of a new generation of leaders. While university qualifications are important in preparing future leaders, the political economy of most of these countries are not homogeneous for the immediate absorption of these rare skills. Such facts inform part of the reason why many highly qualified graduates remain in the UK and are willing to settle for odd jobs. African and Caribbean students are no exception to this experience.

Without condoning this unfortunate status quo, the conference reckons with the state of polarisation in the UK in fostering common solutions to prepare this valuable human resource for the future participation in their countries. Practical leadership training programmes and international trade and business opportunities with foreign partners located in the UK must be championed. Through these partnerships, UK graduates shall become envoys to facilitate foreign direct investment and establishment of pro-poor industrial projects. Currently, these opportunities are under-optimised, except to pressure these noble citizens to be plunged back home amid poverty, complacency and indolence.

A need to review current research undertaken in developing countries is overdue. Although a great deal of research is commissioned by reputable international research foundations, the participation of qualified African and Caribbean researchers in driving these scientific expeditions has been limited. Not only that, agenda setting on the quality of research output generated from these countries remains questionable. In turning the tide of longstanding tradition of providing external solutions to address local problems in these countries, the conference shall become a meeting point to share research programmes undertaken from the perspective of these communities. This initiative is made possible through the support of the African Studies Centre at the University of Oxford, which is committed in developing world-class researchers, most of whom are citizens of these countries, in order to provide world-class research from the perspective of their countries. This training plays out in an interdisciplinary setting, thus allowing students to specialise in their area of choice.

PARTICIPANTS AT THE CONFERENCE

The participation of African and Caribbean policy makers, including heads of states, high commissioners and many other policy heavyweights, during the conference is important. It will bring the researchers close to the pulse of these leaders in understanding both the challenges and opportunities they face. However, different from a series of its types, meaning the conference, the role of social movements and activists is highly appreciated. Not only shall the social movements deepen the nature of discussions and debates, but new perspectives shall also be engendered. Similarly, internationally renowned experts on the subject of Pan-Africanism shall reflect on the successes and failures of the concept as driven by its past trailblazers. A series of presentations and roundtables shall unfold from one of the University of Oxford’s internationally renowned colleges, St Antony’s College, in economics, international relations and political science.

HIGHLY COMPETITIVE

Because of limited seats allocated for university students, advocacy organisations and policy experts, accreditation shall be provided to delegates whose impact shall be felt on their return to their constituencies. However, individual students, professors and non-academic individuals are invited, albeit with limited space. Accreditation shall be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and on the geographic spread of delegates. The sooner the prospective candidates send an email requesting an application form for accreditation, the better the chance they stand to be accredited.

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* Moshe Molefe is a reader and DPhil in social policy at the University of Oxford.
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