October 2015 International Conference on Africa’s Engagement with Japan, China, South Korea and India: A Comparative Perspective

CFP
International Conference
on
Africa’s Engagement with Japan, China, South Korea and India: A Comparative Perspective

Africa is undergoing tremendous change and transformation over the past two decades. This swift emergence of Africa has changed the perception about it from Afro-pessimism to Afro-optimism. The continent has been able to overcome multiple debilitating challenges to economic and social development and is posting substantially high growth and development. The demographic advantage may make Africa into a global manufacturing hub. The Africa’s future, however, faces many challenges that need to be understood and addressed. The old paradigm and templates of engagement are no longer viable as the continent is being sought aggressively by many countries, the growing and emerging economies as well as by traditional powers. Japan, China and South Korea are major pole and anchor of the global economy and contribute a significant share to world trade and economy. These growing economies are making a rapid entry into Africa. Their expanding engagements in the fields of development co-operation, trade and investment are seen as a vehicle for boosting Africa’s growth. The drivers being, the high demand for minerals and oil and investment from these countries and markets for manufactured goods. However, these relationships are not limited to economic sphere but encompass different sectors like political, social and security spheres. Some of these countries have institutionalised their engagements with regular meetings with heads of states and partnering country like China’s FOCAC and Japan’s TICAD. Another facet of this engagement is in field of security challenges, peace keeping and conflict resolution. China, of late, has begun to play a more proactive role in peace keeping in the continent. Many African countries host significant diasporas communities from the region and African diasporas can be found globally. Their role in shaping these engagements has been growing and is becoming significant and needs to be understood. India and Africa engagement is founded on a long history of shared struggle and mutual partnership. This relationship got a flip in the recent years with greater economic engagement boosting ties. India’s trade with Africa for the year 2015 is target at about US$ 100 billion. The First India-Africa Forum Summit in 2008 marked the initiation of far more pragmatic and concerted effort on part of India to institutionalise this engagement. The third edition is slated to be held soon and is anticipated to enhance the level of its engagement in different sectors. The continent after a phase of decline in conflicts is again seeing a rise in their levels and is contributing substantially to the UN efforts. India currently is amongst the largest troop contributor to UN Peacekeeping missions in Africa. Another challenge that has become an area of increased concern is the growing numbers of youth. They need skill development to be meaningfully engaged otherwise they can become a major cause for instability and insecurity which can become a major area of engagement. Indian Diaspora communities in Africa are vibrant and thriving. Their role in shaping these engagements has been growing and is becoming significant and needs to be understood. While the world is trying to engage with the African continent, which itself is very diverse; hence there is not a single approach to this. Rather there are many nuances and differences in the strategies and policy adopted and their consequent outcomes. These need to interrogated, examined and compared to further our understanding of the continent and anticipate its future. This conference proposes to consider the engagement by these countries with Africa and compare these with India. It will also try to bring out a comparative perspective by inviting papers on comparison of these Asian countries, India and other regions or country's engagement with Africa. Against this backdrop, the Centre for African Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, jointly with the African Studies Association of India (ASA India) is organising an International Conference on 'Africa’s Engagement with Japan, China and South Korea: A Comparative Perspective with India' on 9th and 10th October 2015. Research papers are invited on the following sub-themes which will be the focus of the seminar.

• Africa’s Engagement with Japan, China and South Korea in political, economic, social, security and Diaspora issues
• Indian Engagement with Africa in political, economic, social, security and Diaspora issues
• Comparison Africa’s Engagement with other regions of the world or historical, social, cultural/linguistic and developmental experiences of Africa

Abstract acceptance and other practicalities
The conference organisers are accepting abstracts for the same. Please submit your abstract (Max.250 words) by 10th May 2015. The abstract selection will be communicated by 15th May 2015. All those whose abstracts are accepted need to submit a draft paper of 5000 words by 15th August 2015 on emails given below. There will be no registration fee for the paper presenters. For all participants whose abstracts are accepted and their papers are received by due date, the seminar organisers will provide free local hospitality that includes modest basic guest house accommodation with breakfast at Nehru University (3 nights, 8-10 October), all meals during the conference (9-10 October, 2 lunches and 2 diners), conference kits and local transport during conference. Papers from the conference may be published in the peer reviewed journals of the African Studies Association of India (Africa Review published by Routledge and Insight on Africa by Sage Publications) or in a book form. Pleased submit your abstract and a short CV (not more than 250 words) to Conference Chair Prof. Ajay Dubey, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi at conference.asa@gmail.com and asaindia.secretariat@gmail.com