2nd Annual Fletcher School Africana Conference: Africa on the Global Stage
We believe that context matters.
The Fletcher Africana Conference is an annual gathering of students, professionals, policymakers and academia at The Fletcher School, Tufts University in Boston (USA). It is organized by the Fletcher Africana Club, a group of graduate students with keen interest and work experience in the African continent.
We aim to provide a forum that creates contextual understanding of African issues through debate and discussion.
This is possible only if we examine questions of socioeconomic and political significance through the multiple lenses of development, business, politics, security, and science and technology. Therefore, the Africana Club strives to engage thought leaders from different sections of society and bring them together in ways that create an understanding of the various forces at play.
In March 2014, we organized the inaugural conference called Africa Beyond the Headlines, which focused on intertwining issues in security and development on the continent. In October 2012, The Fletcher School held a conference called Africa’s Turn that strove to make sense of the gap between the promise and on-ground realities of Africa’s economic potential.
This academic year, we have hosted a series of events on health, human security, economic development and inclusive growth in Africa: Ebola: Mutations, Markets and the Military; Inclusive Growth: Ensuring Prosperity Reaches Africa’s Bottom of the Pyramid; and Entrepreneurship and Business in Emerging Markets: The Obusai, Ghana Gold Mine. Additionally, The Fletcher School has a strong interest in African affairs, as exemplified through events this year such as Transforming Smallholder Farming in Africa; View From the Ground: International Criminal Law, Transitional Justice and Survivor Advocacy in Rwanda; The Golden Hour: Africa’s Rise and the Challenge of American Diplomacy; and a panel discussion on private sector internships in sub-Saharan Africa.
We invite you to join us.
The 2nd Fletcher Africana Conference will focus on reconciling the dichotomies that exist in 21st century Africa: technological innovation alongside forces of friction like infrastructural and regulatory gaps; economic growth alongside unemployment and lack of inclusive growth; improvements in health and well-being indicators alongside health crises and increased human insecurity; increased foreign direct investment alongside unclear risk management strategies.
For more information please contact florence.young_aragbaiye@tufts.edu or manisha.basnet@tufts.edu
