Events

This year’s theme; “Role of Higher Education in Forging Sustainable Livelihoods” was selected because of its alignment to the Strategic Development Goals (SDGs). It is an exciting time for SANORD as we continue to grow and adapt, remaining always adaptable, motivated and responsive to global priority issues in education, research and wellbeing. Africa is facing challenges and changes as we strive towards the achievement of SGDs. Sustainable livelihoods is therefore an interesting area in which to work, research and collaborate, and SANORD member institutions will continue to meet and bring inspired people together in forums like this to ensure that SANORD remains at the front of capacity development and research production.

Forum for Africa Studies will have several participants in the Uppsala delegation, notably Sten Hagberg, and Véronique Simon. Other Uppsala-participants include Shepherd Urenje, SWEDESD, Peter Sundin, ISP, and Ulrica Ouline, International Office.

Welcome to the screening of the film SOLEILS by and with Burkinabe Film Director Dani Kouyaté, Thursday 3 Oct. 17.15-20.00, Ihresalen, Campus Engelska Parken. More info here

Friday 11 October, 10.15-11.30, Room 3-2028, Engelska Parken.

Religions in Sub-Saharan African cinemas: Authenticities and Others

Authenticity and Otherness have been essential elements in theorizing African cinema(s), and despite the advent of the video and appearance of new cinematic trends defying traditional categories of cinematic production, execution and distribution, the Spectre of Sembene – father of African cinema – keeps haunting African filmmakers and film scholars alike. The idea is that African cinemas, be it the FESPACO or Nollywood type, convey and construct images that are intricately related to the search of a cinematic African subject either by opposing, adopting or ignoring a nebulous and problematic idea of African identity. An integral part of this project can be traced in the cinematic treatment of religions and perceptions of religions in Sub-Saharan films. More specifically in the ways various versions of Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religions have been portrayed as emblematic of the foreign and other, of an African authenticity, plurality or problematic. Focusing on specific films reflecting major cinematic trends in Sub-Saharan film history, the presentation will reflect on how religious representations play an important role in the complex search for and construction of that cinematic African subject.

Friday 25 October, 10.15-11.30, Room 3-2028, Engelska Parken.

Medicine and Armed Conflict in Africa

Whereas there is a decrease in armed conflicts around the world, armed conflict and civil war is a constant threat in many countries in Africa where poverty reduction, transparent and accountable governance and citizen satisfaction with the delivery of public goods and services have shown no sign of significant improvement. Notwithstanding, the causal relationship between armed conflict and underdevelopment is complex. Analyses and prognoses that link conflict and underdevelopment require qualification. Thus, with the notion of medicine as processes and outcomes that include diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, disease prevention, food and nutrition, this paper examines the connections between armed conflicts and medicine in Africa. Specifically, how has the practice of medicine influenced violence and armed conflicts in Africa?  On the other hand, what has been the impact of violence and armed conflicts on health care provisioning in Africa? The paper also interrogates the increased use of food and drugs blockade as weapons of war, and seek justification for the importance of medicine in intervention programmes for conflict zones and post-conflict situations. It further examines the possibilities for establishing peace and security in Africa with the improved practice of medicine.