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Call for Papers Theme: African-Asian Encounters Subtitle: New Cooperations - New Dependencies? Type: 1st International Conference Institution: Africa-Asia Development University Network (AADUN) Research Project Africa's Asian Options (AFRASO) Centre for Civilisational Dialogue, University of Malaya Location: Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) Date: 11.–13.3.2014 Deadline: 31.10.2013 __________________________________________________ On behalf of the collaborative research project AFRASO (Africa's Asian Options) of Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany, and the University of Malaya (UM), Malaysia we would like to invite you to participate as a paper presenter or participant at the 1st International Conference of Africa-Asia Development University Network – Africa’s Asian Options (AADUN-AFRASO) 2014. Venue and Date: University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Research Management & Innovation Complex, 11-13 March 2014 African-Asian relations have become ever more important on a global scale – in the political and economic as well as in the social and cultural sphere. The transregional arena constituted by the recent strong growth of African-Asian interactions may well have a decisive impact on the 21st century. While China has been at the forefront of attention for some time, more recently an increasing number of Asian countries have become active in Africa and numerous African actors (governments, businesses, NGOs, etc.) have forged links with Asian countries. This multipolar scenario opens up new options for economic development, political solidarity and the emergence of a transnational civil society. At the same time, there has been growing concern (both outside and inside Africa) about new forms of dependency and exploitation – or even a “new colonialism” – generated by Asia’s and especially China’s intensified engagement in Africa. The aim of this international conference is to provide a more systematic overview of the empirical dimensions and analytical implications of these multifaceted and conflicting processes. What is new about Asian-African interactions? Do they follow specific patterns? How can they be characterised and analysed? Do they give rise to mutually beneficial modes of cooperation, or do they produce new asymmetries? The conference is organised jointly by the Africa-Asia Development University Network based at the University of Malaya (AADUN), the Centre for Civilisational Dialogue (UMCCD) of the University of Malaya and the collaborative research project “Africa’s Asian Options” (AFRASO) based at Goethe University Frankfurt (Germany). It will explore the new opportunities and the new risks generated by African-Asian encounters under four major thematic headings: (1) Markets on the Move: This section is open for any contribution that addresses recent dynamics of economic relationships between Africa and Asia. We particularly welcome papers on all topics associated with, but not limited to: African-Asian Neoliberalisms, policy and business models traveling between Asia and Africa, configurations and conceptualisations of African-Asian markets, Asian special economic zones in Africa, Asian investments in African infrastructure, Asian land acquisitions in Africa, the intersection of economic investments and aid diplomacy, the role of public enterprises and parastatal corporations in transnational cooperations, the entanglement of small traders in social networks, governance structures of African-Asian value chains, labour migration, innovations in finance and ICT in-between Asia and Africa. (2) Transnational Civic Networks between Africa and Asia: Since transregional cooperation is by no means limited to economic and political relations, this section will look at the creation of new networks in civil society such as trade networks, trade union and NGO cooperation, networks linked to educational or labour migration. The overarching question of this sub-theme is whether these new transnational civic networks are transforming concepts of borders and boundaries by establishing a new framework of transregional dynamics. In this context, the interactions of these networks with state institutions (esp. governments and educational institutions) as well as commercial players are of particular interest. (3) New Avenues for Civilizational Dialogue between Asia and Africa: Societies on both continents are changing for equity, access to and improvement in resources exploitation. What are the value systems, often politically motivated, that are used in these processes of change? Topics are welcomed on political systems, gender, age, ethnicity and religions as well as belief structures in the creation of cross-regional and cross-continental communication networks, their management and sustainability. Intercultural studies in various domains and across the continents are of particular relevance. (4) Improving the living habitats by Africa-Asia university cooperation: Various efforts are being undertaken to achieve this objective in joint university projects focusing on poverty reduction and human development. We particularly welcome studies of public health, renewable energy, sustainability in water management and food security etc and human resources management, skills development, women in science and technology and disability studies. Case studies and policy-oriented comparisons are particularly encouraged. Important Dates: 31 October 2013: Deadline for Abstracts 30 November 2013: Notification of Acceptance 1 December 2013: Early Bird Registration 1 January 2014: Normal Registration 1 February 2014: Deadline for Presenter Registration 1 March 2014: Deadline for Participant Registration 11-13 March 2014: 1st AADUN-AFRASO 2014 Conference For further details about the conference, please visit our website at: http://umconference.um.edu.my/AA2014 If you have any queries with regard to this Conference, please contact the Secretariat at: [email protected] Contact: 1st AADUN-AFRASO Conference 2014 Secretariat Centre for Civilisational Dialogue University of Malaya 2nd Floor, Siswarama Building 50603 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Phone: +60 3 7967 7851 / 5477 Email: [email protected] Web: http://umconference.um.edu.my/AA2014 __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
