Africa Awareness / Afro Fest

To create and host a five day national symposium of critical discussion and cultural celebration of Africa Awareness in higher education at UBC that will bring together students, academics, and activists.

The aim of this project is to carry out a week long series of lectures, round-table discussions, cultural activities and exhibitions to create awareness of the rich diversity and cultural value of the continent of Africa. This project will provide the UBC community at large with a different lens in which to critically engage in thinking about the continent's contribution to higher learning. It will address the intersections of colonial and post-colonial Africa in meaningful and action-orientated ways with particular emphasis placed on discussions that explore the conference theme in relations to intersections of African history and current events with race, language, class, sexuality, faith/religion and slavery.

Goals:

• To examine and critically reflect on the current inclusion/exclusion of Africa in higher education.
• To provide a forum for students, staff, and faculty to share in a national dialogue and create partnerships that will foster learning centred environment of openness and critical thought about the people and places of Africa.
• To unpack the structures, knowledge and practices that will go beyond notions of underdevelopment as the acceptable response to Africa awareness.
• To create a legacy of Africa Awareness in the UBC learning community.

Sarah Twomey, Safety, Alma Mater Society
Graeme Chalmers, Access and Diversity Unit