EUGENE–A special two-day African symposium beginning March 1 will highlight the University of Oregon’s emerging strength in African studies and help raise public awareness of African issues.

The Oregon Humanities Center, working with the African Studies Committee, has organized the seminar, "Engaging Africa: A Symposium Exploring the Future of African Studies," as a free public event in the Alumni Lounge at Gerlinger Hall, 1468 University St.

The opening keynote address by Professor Alma Gottlieb of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Illinois, will take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 1. Gottlieb’s talk is entitled "The Wisdom of Children: An Anthropological Perspective on Engaging African Modernity."

The symposium will continue from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, March 2, with a panel session and discussion.

Political scientist Edmond Keller, a professor and director of the UCLA African Studies Center, will speak on "Africa and the Challenge of Globalization." Professor Mineke Schipper, chair of intercultural literary studies at Leiden University, will speak on "Insiders and Outsiders in African Studies." Historian Paul Tiyambe Zeleza, a professor and director of the University of Illinois Center for African Studies, will discuss "Why Africa Matters: From Epistemology to Economy."

In a related event, noted novelist Mongo Beti of Cameroon will present "Comment peut-on être écrivain dans un pays sous-développé?" ("Can One Be A Writer In An Underdeveloped Country?") at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 2, in the Alumni Lounge in Gerlinger Hall. This talk will be in French with overhead English translation.

For more information about the symposium and talk, or for disability accommodations, browse <http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~humanctr/> or call the Oregon Humanities Center,
(541) 346-3934.

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