Readers:

Some of you might be interested. So read the conference announcement below.

Ebrima Ceesay

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Conference Announcement

The Review of African Political Economy in association with the Centre of
West African Studies, University of Birmingham is convening a conference on:

"Africa: Partnership as Imperialism"
September 5 - 7 2003


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
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 are to be sent to the undersigned (to whom all other
enquiries and general expressions of interest should be directed):


Dr. 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: [log in to unmask]

Or

Dr 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: [log in to unmask]

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