Athens, Ga. – The African Studies Institute at the University of Georgia presents the Fourth Annual International Conference on Africa and Its Diaspora—AICAID 2015—from Wednesday, Nov. 11, to Friday, Nov. 13, at the UGA Center for Continuing Education. The theme for the conference is “Youth, Technology and Knowledge Expansion in Africa and Its Diaspora.”
The featured speakers for the conference include William Kisaalita, a professor in the UGA College of Engineering, and Uchenna Amadi-Ihunwo of Amatriy Consults in Johannesburg, South Africa. More than 50 papers are scheduled to be presented over the three days by participants from North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
AICAID 2015 will build on the work done during the last three conferences. The first AICAID in November 2012 was a State of the Arts conference organized as part of the 25th anniversary of African studies programming at UGA. All AICAID gatherings have focused on interrelated topical issues concerning Africa and its diaspora, including the value and expressions of indigenous and local knowledge; the contents and discontents about globalization; and the relics and innovations in the realm of gender and development.
Kisaalita will deliver the keynote address on “Surviving to Thriving: Empowering the Poor through Technology-Based Solutions” on Nov. 12 at 8 a.m. in Mahler Hall. Amadi-Ihunwo, an educational consultant and chief executive of Amatriy Consults, will be the plenary speaker on Nov. 13 at 8 a.m. She will be speaking on the topic, “South African Education Structure and System a Mirage to African Diversity.”
The interdisciplinary conference will focus on youth and technology including technological advances and knowledge expansion in context of nation states and urban and rural communities.
AICAID 2015 is made possible by support from various UGA units including the President’s Venture Fund; Office of the Vice President for Research; Franklin College of Arts and Sciences; UGA Graduate School; Office of International Education; Office of Institutional Diversity; College of Education; School of Public and International Affairs; School of Social Work; Willson Center for Humanities and Arts; department of religion; and the department of kinesiology.
Registration and more information is available at http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/uga-hotel/conferences-events/register/4th-conference-on-africa-and-diaspora.
