Purpose and objectives of the conference
The November 2009 Sudan Studies Conference forms part of a series of high level academic conferences on the Sudan organized by the Sudan Studies Association; this time around the Centre for African Renaissance Studies at the University of South Africa is taking a leading role in organising the Conference. This conference is the second since the signing of the historic Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in January 2005 between the Sudanese Government and the SPLM-SPLA; and indeed the first of its kind to be convened on African soil outside Sudan. The Conference will interrogate the future of Sudan against the backdrop of implementation of the CPA: What has happened to the CPA since its signature and where is it taking Sudan and Africa?
While encouraging progress towards peace, stability and institution-building has been achieved, however, serious obstacles remain. The Conference will analyse challenges that are embedded in the CPA as well as historic and global challenges equally critical to the future of the country and its peoples. Although primarily an academic endeavour, the Conference seeks to involve all major role-players and political actors in the Sudan situation. It aspires to be a spring board for a new process in raising awareness about the Sudan situation and paving the way for a future of lasting peace, stability, justice and prosperity for all in the country and in the region. As it is, the Conference aims at positioning itself within the framework of a medium and long term vision of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Sudan in which the rights of individuals and all communities will be equally guaranteed.
Political and epistemic challenges: responsibilities of academia
If the Conference is to foster true and open dialogue, it must include an honest and unbiased discussion of the history of Sudan and the current realities faced by its the people. It must also critically assess the involvement of the African Union and South Africa in the search for lasting peace, stability and justice in Sudan. The Conference is expected to help broaden the understanding of the rich and often difficult complexities of Sudan – with all that this entails – in a manner that is Africa-centred and keeping in mind that this conference endeavours to analyse the Sudan from multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary perspectives.
Strong participation of Sudanese academics, scholars and intellectuals irrespective of political affiliation, place of residence or creed, is key to the success of the Conference. As the first Sudan Studies Conference to be hosted on the continent outside Sudan, it will provide a unique platform for an open and direct exchange between southern African academics and scholars and sudanists from Africa, the African Diaspora, the Arab world and the international community.
Expected outcomes and follow-up
Publication of conference proceedings in the form of a book as well as a special issue of the International Journal for African Renaissance Studies will contribute to building awareness about the Sudan in Africa, through the African Diaspora and internationally.
Pillars and Sub-themes
Pillar One: The CPA: Achievements, Challenges and Threats for its Implementation
- Power-sharing
- Wealth-sharing
- Border-demarcation
- Integration of armies and security forces
- Normalisation of life in Abyei, Southern Blue Nile, Nuba Mountains and Darfur
- Is unity being made attractive?
- Sudan’s futures: a united Sudan or a two-state scenario?
Pillar Two: Darfur as Epitome of the Sudan Situation?
- Migration patterns, population settlement trends and history of social formations
- Race and ethnic identities: African-Arab relations
- Human and peoples’ rights violations and serious international crimes
- Resource allocation and governance
- Context and challenges of aid
- Global imaging (of Darfur)
Pillar Three: Governance, Electoral Processes, Democracy and Human and People's Rights
- From liberation movement to party in power: institution and capacity-building and governance challenges for the SPLM and GOSS
- Prospects for the February 2010 general elections
- Challenges and stakes for the upcoming referenda in Southern Sudan and Abiyei, and popular consultations in Southern Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains
- Human and peoples' rights, democracy and the rule of law in Sudan
- Slavery, captivity, serfdom, child abduction and human trafficking
- Cultural identity and politics and gender dimensions of peace, stability and social justice
Pillar Four: Issues of Statehood and Nation-Building
- Energy and infrastructure building and threats to the environment
- Management of cultural diversity and social cohesion
- Censuses and demographics in the history and politics of Sudan
- Political ideology and social classification and stratification (ethnicity, race, religion, gender and class) in the history, political economy and social dynamics of Sudan
- Archetypes, stereotypes and ethnotypes: an archaeology, sociology and political economy of conflicting images of self and other in Sudan
Pillar Five: History, Culture, Identity and Human Development
- Epistemic and methodological challenges and stakes in the history and historiography of Sudan and Nile Valley civilisations
- Linguistic diversity, language policies and socio-linguistic situation
- Art and literature
- Resource endowment, rural development and industrialisation
- Education and knowledge production and application
- Health policies and public health systems
- Peace-building, resettlement, rehabilitation and social re-integration
Pillar Six: Regional and International Correlations and Dimensions of the Sudan Situation: Role of the African Union, the Arab League and External Factors
- Empowerment of the AU and its coordination with the Arab League for a viable and sustainable solution in the Sudan
- The ICC and Sudan
- Arms race, scramble for resources and issues of global safety and security
- Sudan and the Nile as common patrimony for Eastern Africa: major stakes, challenges and threats
- Sudan: opportunities and challenges for its emergence as a regional driver for Africa’s future
- Bilateral and multilateral engagements with Sudan (South Africa and other countries)
Working languages for the Conference:
English, Arabic & French
Submission details Abstracts:
Submitted abstracts should be (preferably) in English and strictly limited to between 100 and 500 words, including keywords.
All abstracts must be received by the Conference Secretariat by 16 October 2009
Abstracts must include the following:
- Title of paper; full name(s) of author(s) and their organisational affiliation
- Full postal address, e-mail address and telephone number(s) for the first author
- Number of words
- Author’s resume of up to 270 words
- Conference pillar or/and sub-theme for which the paper should be considered
(Please note): Correspondence regarding submissions will be conducted only with one author designated with this role. Unless otherwise specified, the first author will be taken to be the corresponding author.
File type for abstracts: MS Word for Windows, Arial, size 12; (1.5 line spacing)
Submissions: Send abstracts and papers by e-mail attachments to: info@sudanconference.org.za
- The paper should not be more than 5000 words.
- Authors whose abstracts are accepted will be requested to submit a draft paper for review prior to submission of the final version. The submission deadline for all final papers is 16 October 2009
The Scientific Committee, as peer reference group of the Conference, will consider all abstracts received by the submission deadline. The authors whose abstracts are accepted will receive notification to prepare and submit a draft paper. Draft papers will be reviewed by the Scientific Commitee. Authors will receive comments and suggestions which they must take into consideration and integrate, before submitting their final version before the deadline.
Each paper will be double-blind reviewed to ensure that required standards are met; that the proposed subject of the paper’s abstract has been followed, that the paper is of suitable length, that the linguistic standard is adequate and that the paper is appropriately referenced. Papers that are accepted will be published in the Conference proceedings provided that in the case of jointly written papers at least one author registers and presents the work at the Conference. Conference proceedings will be published on a CD, which will be made available to all Conference participants. Selected papers will be published in a reference book and/or as a special issue of IJARS /the International Journal of African Renaissance Studies (accredited). |
