The European Conference on African Studies (ECAS) under the topic “African Futures” will be held from 31 May to 3 June 2023 at the University of Cologne. Up to 2,000 guests, including many scholars and scientists from universities across the African continent, are expected to attend the approximately 250 sessions and panel discussions at one of the world's most comprehensive African studies conferences. The conference will be hosted by the association ‘Africa-Europe Group of Interdisciplinary Studies’ (aegis), which brings together the most important African research centres in Europe. The host in Cologne is the Global South Studies Center (GSSC).
The City of Cologne takes the academic conference as an opportunity for a public programme that it is organizing together with the University and more than 70 cooperation partners. Under the title “African Futures – all around”, all citizens can participate in the extensive offer from 30 May to 11 June 2023.
On Thursday, 1 June 2023, the programme will be opened by Mayor Andreas Wolter on behalf of Lord Mayor Reker as well as Rector Freimuth at Schauspiel Koeln. The day before, a public conference opening will take place at the University. Members of the press are cordially invited to both dates.
Dates:
Wednesday, 31 May 2023, 6.15 pm to 8 pm
Opening ECAS followed by a opening roundtable on the topic “Is there a future for African Studies in Europe?”
Main Auditorium, University of Cologne, Albertus-Magnus-Platz, 50923 Cologne
Thursday, 1 June 2023, 6 pm tp 8.30 pm
Opening of the programme “African Futures – all around”
Schauspiel Koeln, Schanzenstraße 6–20, 51063 Cologne
In addition, there is the possibility to arrange interviews with individual conference participants. To attend a selecte conference event or find an interview partner, please contact Mr Noah Kahindi: noah.kahindi
uni-koeln.de.
The conference will focus on a critical examination of the future of the African continent and its global interdependencies in light of colonial pasts and contemporary challenges. This includes topics such as restitution of cultural artefacts, post-colonialism, climate change and migration. All disciplines and methodological approaches of the social sciences and humanities will be represented.
The public programme “African Futures – all around” provides the framework for a diversity of perspectives as well as critical and respectful exchange. It examines the complexity and creativity of modern Africa and its diaspora in areas such as politics, society, science, economy, art and culture. The programme also provides insights into the wide-ranging engagement of African diaspora groups in Cologne and addresses common challenges and future issues that influence our relations and connections with the African continent.
Representatives of the regional Afro-diasporic communities and other partners such as the Expert Panel (Post)Colonial Heritage of Cologne, the africologneFESTIVAL, OLUZAYO music festival (cooperation of the Zentrum für Aktuelle Musik and New Music South Africa), stimmen Afrikas/Allerweltshaus and the Africa Film Festival Cologne will present concerts, theatre, film screenings, exhibitions, readings, political discussions and much more at various locations in Cologne.
Media Contact:
Noah Kahindi
Global South Studies Center (GSSC)
+49 221 470 76657
noah.kahindi@uni-koeln.de
Press and Communications Teams:
Eva Schissler
+49 221 470 4030
e.schissler@verw.uni-koeln.de
Further information::
Conference
Public programme
Global South Studies Center (GSSC)