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Call for Papers Theme: Globalization and Democratic Values in Africa Subtitle: Perspectives in the Humanities Type: International Conference Institution: Faculty of Arts, University of Calabar Location: Calabar (Nigeria) Date: 13.–15.4.2016 Deadline: 28.2.2016 __________________________________________________ From Jonathan Chimakonam <[email protected]> The talk about globalisation or the emergence of a global society has been criticised as a homogenising process characterised by the imposition of the world-view of a determinate culture on the rest of humanity. Thus it is taken that the transfer of values and norms is usually a vertical process from top to bottom. But it is also a leading view that the increasing economic, social and political interdependence among various cultures and nations of the world strengthens the idea of globalisation. This, in a way, re-affirms the growing need of global cooperation to tackle the world’s problems and it should create further incentives for the programme of globalisation. The idea of globalisation of values suggests strongly the importance of language of communication, history of peoples, influence of religions, cultural and linguistic diversities, legal nuances, various systems of thought and various media of communication and interactions, etc., in creating a unified memory that seeks to eliminate exclusions and strengthen inclusions. This conference focuses on the values and norms of democracy as a political institution in Africa. What then is democracy? Can it be conceived differently from culture to culture? Need the principles and application of democracy be the same in all cultures? Whose democracy are we talking about? Can we have a democratic model which principles are truly globalised? Can there be an African brand of democracy as K. A. Busia (1967), Kwasi Wiredu (1996), Kwame Gyekye (1992), Olusegun Oladipo (2000) all tend to suggest? What is the problem with the application of democracy in Africa? And what are the perspectives in the humanities to these questions? The humanities are a collection of fields which research indices are human-centred. Globalisation and democracy epitomise humanities’ quest to build strings of interaction, interdependence and mutual cooperation across borders, cultures and races. What then are the perspectives of humanities to the question of globalisation of democratic values? What is globalisation? How else may it be conceived? What are the possible African imprints on the values of democracy in a global society? How has the practise of democracy fared in Africa? What are its major challenges? Delegates are expected to tackle some of these questions theoretically and practically from the different disciplinary perspectives in the humanities. In this way, submissions are welcome from Philosophy, Linguistics, Communications studies, Theatre and Media Studies, Religions, Cultural studies, History, English and Literary studies, Computer science, Languages, Government, Policy studies, Law and other Social sciences, etc. Please submit paper abstracts (max. 300 words) by 28th February, 2016 to: [email protected] The conference will take place at the Unical International Conference Centre between 13 and 15 April, 2016. We regret our inability to offer any travel and accommodation bursary. Delegates are to cover their own cost but the organisers can assist with accommodation arrangements. Registration: Outside Nigeria: N20,000 Nigeria: N15,000 Students (with proof): N5,000 Organisers: Prof. Eno Nta (Chairperson, Local Organising Committee) Dr. Jonathan O. Chimakonam (Secretary) Prof. D. N. Oluwagbemi-Jacob (Dean of Arts, Convener) Contact: Dr. Jonathan O. Chimakonam, Secretary International Conference Committee Faculty of Arts University of Calabar Calabar, Cross River State Nigeria Phone: +234 8034517204 +234 8066003714 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.phil.unical.edu.ng __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
