The Environmental Ethics Unit in the Department of Philosophy\, \;Faculty of Arts\, University of Lagos\, Akoka-Lagos\, Nigeria in \;collaboration with the Center for Environmental Philosophy (CEP) in \;the Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies\, University of \;North Texas (UNT)\, located in Denton\, Texas\, United States will hold \;its third annual conference on the above theme.
The search for sustainable living has been assumed to be the preserve \;of scientists and social scientists. Owing to the technological \;nature of its phenomena\, it is believed to be of scientific \;methodology. Where human concern is needed\, a social science \;methodology is expected which can easily be put in practice by \;environmental activists and advocacy groups. The questions have \;always concerned why humankind continues with the abuse and pollution \;of the environment when it is believed doing so will endanger their \;lives? Answers to these are not the province of science but \;spirituality and the arts.
The conference\, therefore\, will be more of a conversation among \;various practitioners of the environmental project. Environmental \;ethicists and educational specialists argue more for the right \;consciousness and living springing from personal convictions that \;would make the human-environmental balance possible. An integration \;of these varied paths are therefore necessary for the successful \;restoration of humans and the environment in Africa\, where advocates \;of African pre-colonial ecological principles can share their \;insights with the global community.
The conference welcomes papers\, reports\, and presentations from \;academicians\, civil societies groups and activists\, governments\, \;etc.\, on any aspect of the discourse. Themes therefore include but \;are not limited to environmental justice\, education\, rights\, \;advocacy\, philosophy and ethics\, religion and spirituality\, the right \;of animals\, conservation\, population\, poverty issue\, hunger\, peace \;studies.
The conference seeks to deepen research on and contribute to an \;African viewpoint on the global environmental problems\, issues and \;solutions. Papers from other continental perspectives that may be \;comparative in addressing the themes of the conference are welcomed. \;In our globalized world\, no country or continent is immune to \;environmental problems. Thus\, any comparative viewpoint is \;complimentary to localized space.
The hope of the conference organizers is to have the papers published \;in some format as a reference for African environmental philosophy \;and studies.
Abstracts of not more than 250 words should be sent to the Conference \;Coordinator\, Dr. Chigbo Joseph Ekwealo at cekwealo@unilag.edu.ng> or \;chigboekwealo@gmail.com>. The deadline has been extended to 27 June \;2012.
The conference registration fee is $160 for foreign delegates and \;N20\, 000.00 (Naira) for Nigerian participants\, which includes all \;program materials\, lunch for two days. Questions regarding mode of \;payment\, transportation\, accommodation and other logistics should be \;directed to the Conference Coordinator\, Dr. Chigbo Ekwealo \;(cekwealo@unilag.edu) or Dr. Gene Hargrove\, Director of CEP \;(hargrove@unt.edu).
Contact:
Dr. Chigbo Ekwealo and Dr. Gene Hargrove
Email: \;cekwealo@unilag.edu \;and \;hargrove@unt.edu