Presents
The 8th Annual Conference of the Igbo Studies Association
Theme: NIGERIA AT 50: The IGBO EXPERIENCE
In Commemoration of Nigeria’s 50th Independence Anniversary
Howard University, Washington, D.C., USA
April 9 – 10, 2010
BACKGROUND
At the 2009 ISA Conference held at Howard University, Washington DC from April 3-4, it was resolved that the theme for the 2010 ISA International Conference would be “Nigeria at 50: The Igbo Experience” in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of Nigeria’s independence from British rule. The Igbo Studies Association (ISA) invites you to participate in the 8th Annual Conference of the Association to be held from 9-10 April, 2010 at Howard University, Washington, D.C., (USA).
The 50th independence anniversary of Nigeria’s independence will provide an auspicious moment for stock-taking or reappraisal of the experiences of Ndi-Igbo within Nigeria, especially since independence. It is hoped that this scholarly reassessment will focus on the past and present conditions of Ndi-Igbo while providing a blueprint for the future.
It has never been in doubt that Ndi-Igbo are very enterprising in all facets of human endeavor. The Igbo have made meaningful strides in both human and material development of Nigeria. Yet, their relegation and marginalization within the context of inter-group relations in Nigeria since independence have remained quite glaring and persistent. As the political, economic and socio-cultural landscape of Nigeria is being drawn and redrawn each passing year, the question remains as to how Ndi-Igbo should re-position themselves, and to take their rightful place in a Nigeria that they played an immense role in creating and rescuing from the clutches of colonialism. When will enough be enough? When will the “leaderlessness” and/or “directionlessness” of Ndi-Igbo end? When will Ndi-Igbo eschew ultra-materialism and individualism that have both constituted a cog on the wheel of development of Ndi-Igbo as a whole? What are the Igbo interests in Nigeria’s federal democracy? Yet more questions exist that we hope the 2010 conference will address.
Thus, the goal of the 2010 conference is to critically analyze and understand the past experiences and current state of Ndi- Igbo in an independent Nigeria so as to develop responsive, innovative ideas and concrete proposals not only for the survival but also advance of Ndi-Igbo in Nigeria. The larger goal is to provoke new, positive frontiers of thought and action that would renew and re-energize Ndi-Igbo toward common thought and action that will benefit all.
SUGGESTED TOPICS
The issue of the Igbo experience within Nigeria should be construed in its broadest context as well as specific cases, including but not limited to the following topics:
- Politics and Leadership
- Ethnicity and Civil Society;
- Census, Economic Initiatives
- Social and Cultural issues;
- Elections and Democratic Process;
- Education and Development;
- History and Culture;
- Media, Art and Artistic Expression;
- Sports and Human development;
- Security and Armed Police Forces;
- Public Health and Medicine;
- Environment and Human Rights,
- Role of the West in Ndi-Igbo Affairs;
- Law, Justice and Property Rights
- Changing Values and Norms;
- Peace and National Reconciliation
- Crime and Vigilante Justice
- Religion (Dibias, Prophets, Prophesies, etc);
- Child and Youth Development;
- Civil War and Lessons;
- Igbo Language and Identity;
- Industry and Agriculture;
- Gender and Social Change, etc.
Please include the following in your proposal: your name, current position and institutional affiliation, paper title, abstract (300 words maximum), your mailing address, email, phone and fax number.
You will be notified of acceptance and other program details by email. Selected papers will be considered for publication and inclusion in the conference proceedings. We prefer presentations in English. However, those who would like to present in the Igbo language should make translations of their papers available in English. Participants are responsible for the conference fee and their travel and lodging costs.
Please email your proposal to:
Apollos Nwauwa, Conference Chair
Director, Africana Studies
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, Ohio 43403, USA
TELEPHONE (419) 372-2269 or (419) 372-9483
FAX (419) 372 -2571; EMAIL nwauwa@bgsu.edu
- Deadline for submission of proposal is September 30, 2009.
- Deadline for submission of papers is November 31, 2009