Conference details The Review of African Political Economy in association with Centre of West African Studies, University of Birmingham, is convening a conference on
Africa: Partnership as Imperialism September 5 - 7, 2003, The Manor House, Bristol Road South, Birmingham, U.K. Africa is being actively encouraged to seek partnerships with international agencies, western capital and donor governments as a way of promoting economic growth and improved governance, and enhancing living standards. The New Economic Partnership for Africa (NEPAD) is just one of a range of initiatives designed to help African states to 'engage constructively' with the global capitalist market place; for Africa to embrace and take an 'ownership stake' in various arrangements that tie the continent more closely to the economic and political liberalisation of capital. Such a stratagem is referred to as 'making globalisation work for the poor'. Yet Africa's experience with world markets, aid and trade has not enhanced the continent's growth. On the contrary, the continent's external relations have tended to exacerbate its problems. Currently, famine afflicts an increasing number of countries; debt continues to block growth and human development; HIV/AIDS infection rates are the highest in the world; and economies are unable to provide even the most rudimentary of medical care. Poor and ill health undermine all economic activity, but especially farming and food production. Just what does 'partnership' represent in such a context? Is it an exchange between equals? Is it instead a new phase of imperialist control? Can we talk of partnership-as-imperialism? The organisers invite paper and/or panel proposals on the following themes & topics: Resistance: Neo-Liberalism; Vigilantes; 'Terrorists/Terrorism'; Eco-Resistance; Youth-and-Violence. Security, Conflict and Domination:(Il)licit Capitalism; Gender Violence; Africa post-9/11. Globalisation, Partnership and Imperialism: NEPAD; NGOs; Resources (including land); Poverty Reduction Strategy Programmes/Processes (PRSPs); 'Instrumentalising' Imperialism. Aid, Exploitation and Control: Corruption; Post-Conflict Reconstruction; 'Draining' Africa (brains, trade, money laundering). Struggles of Accumulation: The Built Environment; Resources; Production/Privatisation. Ideology and Culture: Gender Relations 'in an African pot'; Religions; Networks; Moralising Intervention; AIDS; 'Democracy/Democratisation'. Proposals/abstracts, to be received by 5 March 2003, are to be sent to the undersigned (to whom all other enquiries and general expressions of interest are to be directed): Reginald Cline-Cole Centre of West African Studies University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT Tel: +44 (0)121-414-5132/5128 Fax : +44 (0)121-414-3228 E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lynne Brydon Centre of West African Studies University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT Tel: +44 (0)121-414-5123/5128 Fax : +44 (0)121-414-3228 E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cwas.bham.ac.uk/news/conference1.htm
