On 25 May\, 1963\, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was \;established with 32 African governments signing. Among other aims\, \;the Organization was established to promote unity and solidarity among \;African states\, to serve as a collective voice for the continent\, to \;coordinate and intensify cooperation among African states in order to \;achieve better life for the people\, todefend the sovereignty\, \;territorial integrity and independence of African states\, etc. The \;concern for the development\, protection and projection of worthwhile \;African identity was arguably one aims behind the formation of the \;continental body. The 39 years of the OAU have been variously \;evaluated. While some people have credited it with some success\, many \;critics dubbed the OAU &ldquo\;Dictators&rsquo\; Club or Dictators&rsquo\; Trade Union&rdquo\; \;that denied rather than ensured the enjoyment of human rights by \;African peoples.
On 9 July\, 2002 it was disbanded and replaced by its successor \;African Union (AU). Eventhough some comparative improvements have \;been noted regarding the AU\, so much still remains to be done toward \;the achievement of the goals and the yearnings of the African \;peoples for positive continental identity and functional unity. In \;2013\, the continent marks 50 years of the historic signing of the OAU \;charter. Amidst the fanfare of the celebrations\, there abide deep \;feelings of despondency and disappointment of leadership across the \;continent. There is the need therefore to revisit the question of how \;far the aims of the OAU were achieve\, and even more how its successor\, \;the African Union has fared as a proposed better framework for African \;unity\, development and African identity fundamentally.
Issues that may be discussed by presenters include:
- International Society for African Philosophy and Studies
- The state of the African Union
- Regional and Continental Integration
- Political Stability\, Crisis and Failed States
- The Question of Political Leadership in Africa
- Inter-Ethnic Conflicts and Civil Wars
- China and Africa
- African Indigenous Knowledge Systems\, Innovation and Development
- Security\, Public Safety and Political Accountability
- Education\, Politics and Concepts of Development
- Sustainable Ecosophy for Africa and the African Diaspora
- Apologies\, Reparations and the Jim Crow
- Wars\, Peace and Hegemony in Global Africa &ndash\; MDG and Africa
- African Leadership Philosophy and Identity Construction
- Religious Fanaticism and Crisis
- African Nationalism and Pan-Africanism
- Aspects of the AU: Political\, Economic\, Cultural\, etc.
- Colonialism and Partitioning of African State Borders
- Boundary Disputes and Border Clashes
- Migration and Citizenship
- Visa Requirements and Protocols
- Inter-African States Foreign Policies
- Union Government and United States of Africa
- Africa in the global village
- African identity in the winds of global change
- The Arab Spring and the many waves of democracy
- New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)
- The OAU/AU and the African Diaspora
- Others
Deadline for Submission of Abstract: 15 April\, 2013
Deadline for submission of completed paper: 1 May\, 2013
Inquiries:
Confisaps2013@ymail.com
Date of Conference:
Arrival: Sunday\, 26 May\, 2013
Conference: Monday\, 27 &ndash\; Wednesday\, 29 May\, 2013
Departure: Thursday\, 30 May\, 2013
Conference website: