American University SIS Africa Cluster

Trade in the Political Crosshairs: Europe and Africa
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
9:00am – 12:00pm
Founders Room, School of International Service, American University

Trade in the Political Crosshairs SIS Conference: Europe and Africa In this conference we will explore the challenges that businesses are likely to face in the coming years. Free and open to the public.

Are any grad students looking for a cool class this spring? Take my "Democratization and Autocratization: Policy and Practice"! (SIS 676-002) We will spend the entire semester doing an "applied research" project for USAID, which you will present in-person at USAID in May.

We will cover topics such as democratic backsliding (including readings from Africa arguing that it is overstated), disinformation, authoritarian narratives and explore the efficacy of key US Government tools for promoting democratic resiliency.

SIS-GGPS students may count this course towards the Global Governance concentration. CRS students may use the course for the Africa regional concentration, or the thematic concentrations in Governance and Democracy or Nationalism, Identity, and Ideology. Unsure how it might fit into your individual degree plan? Reach out to your academic advisor to discuss options! SPA advisors are aware of the course.

Bonus: the USAID advisor we will liaise with is an SIS alumna! The class will meet on Thursday nights. Jumpstart your career and get this practical experience.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to SIS professor Anthony Fontes! Anthony, a member of the SIS Department of Peace, Human Rights & Cultural Relations, recently received tenure and a promotion to associate professor.

Great discussion today on the anniversary of Sudan's war. Insights from Search for Common Ground, International Republican Institute, and Freedom House.
Intl leverage could be better used to increase access to aid.

Please join us for a discussion on Sudan next Monday

Great news!
Chief Joseph Ole Tipanko from the Ngong Hills of Kenya will be returning to SIS for his annual visit on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 4:30 pm. Join us in the Department of Politics, Governance and Economics suite on the third floor of the SIS building (corner of Nebraska and New Mexico Avenues NW) for this conversation co-hosted by the SIS Africa Research Cluster.
Chief Joseph and his Maasai delegation have been visiting AU for fifteen years, and students from American University African Students' Organization and other organizations have raised thousands of dollars for cisterns, wells, food during last year's drought, and school fees for girls rescued from child marriage. Come hear about their important work this year.
For additional information email levan(at)american.edu

Still looking for a cool MA class in spring 2024? Join my Monday night "African State and Society" course! 5:30 - 8:00 pm in Watkins. Highlights include:

--a meeting with the MCC's new Africa director
--Leo Arriola's new book questioning the state of democratic backsliding in Africa, while detailing new authoritarian survival strategies. Then you'll do a case study with a REALLY special guest respondent
--a unit on political campaigns, insecurity, voting behavior in Nigeria
--a visit from a Maasai chief for our class on rural pastoralism
--a unit on social media (including some positive stuff!) that will include dinner with a top State Dept disinformation expert
--current readings (and lively debates) on China in Africa

Call for Papers
April 18-20, 2024
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

The Evolution of the Liberian State: Transitions and Transformation for the Future


The LSA 55th conference seeks to provide a platform for stakeholders from academia, government, civil society, and the private sector to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaboratively design strategies for sustainable progress in Africa in general and in Liberia specifically. The conference will focus on envisioning the future and the imperative of nurturing sustainable progress in Liberia. Liberia is poised at the juncture where strategic foresight and long-term vision are crucial for shaping inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development trajectories. By exploring the sub-themes of innovation, governance, and social transformation, this conference seeks to foster meaningful dialogues and generate actionable practices to advance nation building.

Presenters will delve into the potential of disruptive technologies, renewable energy solutions, and climate challenges (innovation); examine governance models that prioritize transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, thereby strengthening institutions, promoting anti-corruption measures, and ensuring participatory decision-making processes (governance); and, will explore strategies for addressing socio-economic inequalities, promoting gender equality, empowering marginalized communities, and highlighting the significance of preserving cultural heritage, promoting cultural diversity, and leveraging the arts as catalysts for social cohesion and sustainable development (social transformation).

Abstract Submission:
FINAL DEADLINE FOR Abstracts: January 25th, 2024 INQUIRIES: [email protected]
LSA invites proposals for individual papers, panels, and roundtables that explore scholarship and debates on the theme of the conference. Presenters may submit individual proposals and may also participate in a panel or roundtable. The conference is designed for participatory and engaging discussions and we will endeavor to include an array of presenters . Individual abstracts should include presenter’s name, title, email, affiliation, and statement about the topic. A panel has no more than three presenters, and a discussant and should include names of the presenters, their affiliation, email addresses and the statement of the abstract’s topic. Roundtables have a chair and four discussants to explore various sides of a single topic.

All abstracts should be sent to [email protected] and [email protected]

Keywords: Africa, development, innovation, governance, social transformation, sustainability, future vision, inclusivity, collaboration.

2024 Liberian Studies Association Annual Meeting Call for Papers
April 18-20, 2024
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

The Evolution of the Liberian State: Transitions and Transformation for the Future

The LSA 55th conference seeks to provide a platform for stakeholders from academia, government, civil society, and the private sector to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaboratively design strategies for sustainable progress in Africa in general and in Liberia specifically. The conference will focus on envisioning the future and the imperative of nurturing sustainable progress in Liberia. Liberia is poised at the juncture where strategic foresight and long-term vision are crucial for shaping inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development trajectories. By exploring the sub-themes of innovation, governance, and social transformation, this conference seeks to foster meaningful dialogues and generate actionable practices to advance nation building.

Presenters will delve into the potential of disruptive technologies, renewable energy solutions, and climate challenges (innovation); examine governance models that prioritize transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, thereby strengthening institutions, promoting anti-corruption measures, and ensuring participatory decision-making processes (governance); and, will explore strategies for addressing socio-economic inequalities, promoting gender equality, empowering marginalized communities, and highlighting the significance of preserving cultural heritage, promoting cultural diversity, and leveraging the arts as catalysts for social cohesion and sustainable development (social transformation).

Abstract Submission:
FINAL DEADLINE FOR Abstracts: January 25th, 2024 INQUIRIES: [email protected]
LSA invites proposals for individual papers, panels, and roundtables that explore scholarship and debates on the theme of the conference. Presenters may submit individual proposals and may also participate in a panel or roundtable. The conference is designed for participatory and engaging discussions and we will endeavor to include an array of presenters . Individual abstracts should include presenter’s name, title, email, affiliation, and statement about the topic. A panel has no more than three presenters, and a discussant and should include names of the presenters, their affiliation, email addresses and the statement of the abstract’s topic. Roundtables have a chair and four discussants to explore various sides of a single topic.

All abstracts should be sent to [email protected] and [email protected]

Keywords: Africa, development, innovation, governance, social transformation, sustainability, future vision, inclusivity, collaboration.

"We the Young Fighters" Book Talk with Marc Sommers Tickets, Mon, Nov 6, 2023 at 1:15 PM |

"We the Young Fighters" Book Talk with Marc Sommers Marc Sommers will give a talk on his book "We the Young Fighters: Pop Culture, Terror, and War in Sierra Leone."

Great to see Maasai Chief Joseph Ole Tipanko back at the School of International Service, after a few very difficult pandemic years away. Thrilled to have him meet the new SIS Dean, Shannon Hader! We look forward to seeing you again next year.

Looking forward to this upcoming, landmark speech on Wednesday, April 12 in the School of International Service atrium by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Join us:

Global Trade, the Global Commons, and Geopolitics Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), will speak with AU President Sylvia M. Burwell.

Join me, Ambassador Mark Bellamy, and Maasai Chief Joseph Ole Tipanko on Monday, March 27 at American University for this discussion about on the drought in Kenya. SIS student Arona Dijeng will hand over money raised by AU students for humanitarian relief.

Join me on Monday, December 12 at 10 am for an in-person event in the SIS Founders Room at American University. Activists and scholars from Africa will reflect upon the state of anti-corruption work and democratic backsliding on the margins of President Biden's African Leaders Summit, which is taking place in DC next week. Join us for a reception afterwards, at noon!

TODAY! Resisting Democratic Decay and Advancing Anti-Corruption in Africa This week, President Biden will meet in Washington, DC, with presidents and ministers from across Africa. SIS is hosting two panel discussions on the margins of the US-Africa Leaders Summit with scholars and experts.