Liberian Studies Association 49th Annual Conference
Call for Proposals

GOVERNANCE, INSTITUTIONAL QUALITY AND ELECTIONS:
PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES FOR
INCLUSIVE DEMOCRATIC STATEBUILDING IN LIBERIA

Liberia goes to national election (presidential and legislative) in 2017, the third election since the country marked an end to its second civil war in 2003. Since the end of the second civil war, the country has been seized with a development agenda focused on rebuilding state institutions that foster trust, reconciliation, inclusion, and social cohesion. Despite some significant gains, Liberia still faces major cultural, economic, security and other challenges due to a widespread feeling of exclusion from and distrust in the current state building process, suggesting a state building process that is laden with polarized identities and competing perceptions of governance among the population. In addition, the performance of its major institutions continues to exude weaknesses and ineffectiveness in delivering on the promises of the country's development agenda. This situation has implications for the country's ability to sustain a state building agenda that is inclusive and resilient in the wake of and beyond the 2017 election.

The Liberian Studies Association (LSA), the largest body of scholars working on Liberia, invites proposals for papers, panels, and roundtables related to this subject for its 49 th Annual Meeting scheduled to take place at the Ramapo College of New Jersey from March 30 th - April 2 nd , 2017. Theoretical and empirical papers, action research and case studies on the above theme using a range of scholarly approaches including qualitative, quantitative and critical methods with data-driven conclusions are welcomed.

The proposal must include the name, title, and institutional or organizational affiliation and full contact details of the person or persons submitting the abstract.  All proposals should be no longer than 300 words, contain five key words, and sent to [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected]. All abstracts will be sent to the LSA Abstract Committee for final approval. The deadline for submission is February 10, 2017.

Conference Registration: Academics/professionals $100, Retirees/community Activists, $75, Students, $50, by March 15, 2017; registration will also be done on-site. P resenters are required to register before the conference. Please make checks payable to the Liberian Studies Association.

Call for Papers/Panels/Roundtables
The 2nd Kwame Nkrumah Pan-African Intellectual & Cultural Festival

Online submission guidelines, etc., are available at:
http://www.iasnkrumah.com/index.php/en/practical-information/call- for-papers- panels-roundtables

The 2nd Kwame Nkrumah Pan-African Intellectual & Cultural Festival will be hosted by the Kwame Nkrumah Chair in African Studies under the auspices of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana.

The theme " Global Africa 2063: Education for Reconstruction and Transformation" reflects the foundations of Kwame Nkrumah's intellectual and cultural ideologies of a united Africa. This gathering seeks to examine and critically investigate the role of African centered education and knowledge production for shaping the development agenda. This approach will challenge the destructive and dominant education and knowledge system which supports neo-colonialism. The conference will use the African Union 'Global Africa 2063' agenda as the foundation for recuperating and popularizing Pan-African ideas and ideals.

The Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, established by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was the founding Institute that focused on Africa and African people. As the trailblazer, Institute of African Studies over its tenure, has served as the nucleus for discussion and study of Africa, Pan-Africanism and Global Africa. This conference and festival will serve as the foundation for Pan-African intellectual and activist activity in Global Africa. The Institute of African Studies will lead the academic community to debate on the way forward and to interrogate the challenges of bringing Global Africa closer with the peoples at differing parts of the planet.

Furthermore, the public attention will be drawn to reopen discussions on the 'Global Africa'  concept comprising of 11 regions instead of 6 regions.

Sub-themes include:

• Conceptualization of the 'Global Africa'.
• Refashioning Pan-Africanist thought for education and the 2063 Agenda.
• Pan African achievements and challenges from 1963 - 2013 and the opportunities from 2013 - 2063
• The role of Pan-African intellectuals in Global Africa 2063.
• Re-fashioning African Studies for Africa's Transformation.
• Recuperating and application of African knowledge systems for the reconstruction.
• Strengthening African languages for Education.
• Teaching Pan-Africanism in Educational Institutions: politics, curricula and institutional cultures.
• Global Africa and the challenges of empowering African youth and harvesting the demographic dividend.
• Pan Africanism, gender justice and the emancipation of women.
• Global Africa and the Agenda of African/Black lives matter.
• Reparative Justice and the Pan African world
• African Studies Past and Present

Individual Paper Proposals

Abstracts should clearly identify the sub-theme, the title of the proposed paper, its subject matter, its main arguments and the research the paper is based on. The abstract should be no more than 350 words. The submission should include an author biography and institutional affiliation. Full papers are a condition for participation on a panel.

Organized Panel Proposals

All proposed panels must have a chair person and not less than 3 participants. The panel proposal must consist of the following 1) Panel title and abstract; 2) Name of chair; 3) names, email, phone numbers and institutional affiliation of each participant on the panel; 4) participants' paper titles and abstracts. The abstract should be no more than 350 words.

Roundtable Proposals

A roundtable consists of a chair and not less than four presenters. The proposal should consist of the title, abstract and the proposed roundtable participants and the aim and objectives of the round table. The abstract should be no more than 350 words.

Discussants and Chairs

Applicants who are interested in being discussants or chairs, should please indicate this on their registration form for the conference.

Critical dates for the Conference and Festival are as follows:

• 15th November, 2016 - Call for abstracts
• 7th January, 2017 - End of call
• 15th February, 2017 - Acceptance of abstracts
• 30th April, 2017 - Submission of full papers
• 25th June - 1st July, 2017 - Conference

Postal Address: P.O. Box LG73, University of Ghana, Legon

Telephone: +233-302- 213820/50 ext 2051, 2048, 5577

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]