acknowledges the strain of colonial biases that follow Africans and their 鈥淎fricanness鈥� everywhere they go. Despite the biases, Africans continue to move upward in international mobility and are becoming leaders and frontliners in different fields on the global stage. However, the colonial disenchantment and Africa鈥檚 post-independent leadership and governance crises have consistently caused disillusionment among Africans and people of African ancestry all over the world. African resistance to colonial oppression has matured from the early struggles against the deportation of enslaved people to the recent global collective mobilizations witnessed around the Black Lives Matter movement, encompassing the struggles against Jim Crow laws in the U.S., the decolonization movements in Africa and the current mobilizations of Black north Africans against structural anti-Black racism in North African countries. It is now time for Africans and all those interested in Africa to start asking tough questions about how local and global systems that derail Africa鈥檚 development have been enabled. We want to particularly respond to ways we can set about the right path to a holistic and inclusive development in Africa.

The 2027 conference of the Canadian Association of African Studies (CAAS) is all about the subject of RENEWAL. Beyond window-dressing and formulations, we call on participants from all walks of life to join us in initiating honest, hard, and provocative conversations on what it means for Africa and Africans to engage in the process of renewal. What can we do to reclaim Africa鈥檚 cultural pride that is hoisted on the flags of colonialism? What does it mean for African, African studies and Black studies scholars in the West and on the Continent to engage in discourses of repatriation and restitution with research funds granted by Western institutions? Are personal remittances and NGO funds helping Africa develop or do they re-inscribe colonialism? Where is the place of African cultural epistemology when scholars/educators in the motherland engage pedagogical materials that have significant 鈥淲esternized鈥� orientation. Beyond rhetoric and performative politics for the purpose of grants and publications, what are scholars of African/Black Studies truly decolonizing? What does it mean that a significant number of asylum seekers in the West who are from Africa base their claims on persecution related to their sexual orientation in Africa? Or that the African continent is the hardest hit by femicide? How do we address the recurring outbreaks of xenophobia/Afrophobia/anti-Black racism on the continent? What does it mean to belong to a dis/advantaged social class in an African country and then transform into a member of a minority group after becoming a diasporan? But also, what significance does the phenomenon of the diaspora returning to the continent hold, and what are the challenges and implications of those returns? What does it mean that African economies are still dominated by Western logic and interests? Do conversations at African/Black-themed conferences in the West truly support the conditions of development in Africa? Can oppressive systems really be resisted without creating space for individual and collective renewal?

These and several inter-connected perspectives are the focus for CAAS 2027.

We therefore invite participants to submit an abstract of 250鈥�300 words on one of the following sub-themes or another broad-based theme that aligns with the subject of renewal.

鈥�1. Linguistics and African Languages 鈥� biases, remediation, renewal, and innovation.
2. African/Black women and men in Global Gender discourse.
3. Foreign donors/NGOS and the image of Africa.
4. African studies scholarship in Africa and outside of Africa 鈥� assemblages and partitions.
5. Immigration, Repatriation and Remittances 鈥� benefits and misconstruction.
6. DEI and Africa鈥檚 diaspora mobility.
7. African leadership systems.
8. The economies of Africa.
9. African/Black images in arts, films, communication, entertainment, and performance.
10. African diaspora/immigrant writings 鈥� portraying Africa or negotiating colonial spaces?
11. Anti-Black racism, Xenophobia and Stratification in Africa.
12. Localizing emerging technology, big data, social media, and AI in Africa.
13. Queering Africa 鈥� strategies and resistance.
14. Education systems/Pedagogies/Epistemologies in Africa: brain drain or brain gain?
15. Harnessing African methodology for Public Health intervention.
16. Conflict, Security, Displacement in Africa.
17. Agriculture, Food production and sovereignty in Africa
18. Extraction and ecological challenges in Africa.
19. African Indigenous Climate Discourse.
20. Africa and global relational development 鈥� facing the West or the East?
21. Gospelizing Africa and the space (place) of African Traditional Religion.

Panel proposals/posters/roundtables/artistic/performance presentations on diverse subjects related to the conference鈥檚 thematic focus are also invited.

While submissions and presentations in African languages are encouraged, please note that the conference can provide communication and translation facilities only in English and French.

路听听听听听听Africa-based applicants鈥� priority deadline: 15 November 2026

路听听听听听听General deadline for all applicants: 15 December 2026

The priority deadline allows for early review and gives successful Africa-based applicants additional time to apply for visas. Africa-based applicants may continue to submit proposals until the general deadline.

]]> /africanstudies/cu-events/revitalising-indigenous-food-systems-value-addition-and-youth-entrepreneurship/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=revitalising-indigenous-food-systems-value-addition-and-youth-entrepreneurship Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:57:48 +0000 /africanstudies/?post_type=cu-events&p=20958 As part of the AIKRN Webinar Series, the Africa Indigenous Knowledge Research Network (AIKRN) and the Institute of African Studies at 杏吧原创 University invite you to join us for:

Revitalising Indigenous Food Systems: Value Addition and Youth Entrepreneurship

Date: October 15, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM 鈥� 12:00 PM (ET)
Venue: Online via Zoom

杏吧原创 the Webinar

Indigenous food systems represent some of the world鈥檚 most resilient and sustainable approaches to food production, processing, distribution, and consumption. Many indigenous crops are well adapted to local environmental conditions and can withstand drought, heat, pests, and poor soils, making them important resources for climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, food and nutrition security, and resilient food systems.

At the same time, youth unemployment remains a major challenge, particularly in rural communities. Agriculture and food enterprises offer significant opportunities for employment and income generation, yet many young people continue to face barriers such as limited access to finance, land, infrastructure, technology, markets, and viable business opportunities.

The webinar, 鈥�Revitalising Indigenous Food Systems: Value Addition and Youth Entrepreneurship,鈥� will explore how indigenous foods and knowledge can be transformed into innovative, profitable, and sustainable enterprises for young people.

By bringing together researchers, policymakers, Indigenous knowledge holders, youth entrepreneurs, farmers, private-sector actors, investors, development partners, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders, the webinar will provide a platform for knowledge sharing, dialogue, networking, innovation, and collaboration.

Key Themes

The two-hour webinar will explore key areas including:

• Indigenous knowledge for food, nutrition, and health;
• Value addition and commercialization of indigenous foods;
• Youth entrepreneurship and innovation;
• Food science, processing, and product development;
• Sustainable economic development;
• Finance and investment for indigenous food enterprises;
• Technology, digital marketing, and market development;
• Policy, standards, and institutional support for indigenous food systems.

The webinar will also highlight opportunities for young entrepreneurs to engage in areas such as food production, seed multiplication, processing, packaging, branding, product development, e-commerce, digital marketing, agritourism, indigenous restaurants, nutrition enterprises, and export marketing.

Youth Innovation Showcase

A special Youth Innovation Showcase will provide selected young entrepreneurs with an opportunity to present indigenous-food businesses and innovations and receive feedback from technical experts, researchers, investors, and other stakeholders.

Interactive discussions will focus particularly on finance, technology and processing, and policy and standards, with the goal of identifying practical actions and potential partnerships.

Proposed Speakers and Panelists

Prof. S. O. Oloruntoba
Founder, Africa Indigenous Knowledge Research Network
Institute of African Studies, 杏吧原创 University, Canada

Prof. V. N. Enughuija
Professor of Biotechnology and Food Product Development
Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

Prof. Oluwamukomi
Professor of Food Process Technology and Food Product Development
Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, Nigeria

Prof. I. B. Oluwalana
Professor of Post-Harvest Technology
Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

Moderator

Dr. O. M. Lawal
Lecturer, Department of Food Science and Technology
Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

Expected Outcomes

The webinar seeks to strengthen indigenous food systems as pathways for youth entrepreneurship and employment, climate resilience, food and nutrition security, biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, innovation, and inclusive economic development.

By combining Indigenous knowledge, food science, modern processing technologies, entrepreneurship, investment, digital innovation, and market development, the webinar aims to demonstrate how indigenous food systems can become strategic assets for sustainable livelihoods and resilient communities.

The webinar will ultimately focus on transforming indigenous food resources and knowledge into viable, innovative, and sustainable enterprises, particularly for young people.

Mr. Hosi Khosa鈥擯hD Candidate in International Relations, University of Pretoria
Emolot Allan David 鈥� Chairperson, Independent Continental Youth Advisory Council on AfCFTA

Moderator

Khadija Amahal 鈥� AIKRN Youth Forum Northern Africa Coordinator

The webinar is expected to strengthen Indigenous youth’s understanding of AfCFTA, identify available economic opportunities, and encourage greater involvement of Indigenous youth in AfCFTA activities and cross-border trade.

Register now for In-person participation听

As geopolitical alliances shift and global trade relationships are renegotiated, African countries face both new risks and emerging opportunities. Will African states remain peripheral in global negotiations, or will they play a stronger role in shaping the future of trade, investment, and international cooperation?

Join leading scholars and policy experts for an engaging discussion on Africa鈥檚 future amid ongoing geopolitical transformation and global trade realignment.

Date: March 18, 2026
Time: 12:30 PM (EST) | 5:30 PM (WAT)
Venue: In-person (2017 Dunton Tower, 杏吧原创 University) and via Zoom

Panelists

Dr. Joseph Atta-Mensah, Senior Fellow, African Centre for Economic Transformation
Dr. Yolande Bouka, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Afrofeminist Thought and Political Transformation, Queen鈥檚 University
Dr. Firoze Manji, Founder, Daraja Press and Adjunct Professor, 杏吧原创 University

Moderator

Professor Nduka Otiono, Director, Institute of African Studies, 杏吧原创 University听

For In-person participation, please r.
For online participation, please

The film explores the life and legacy of Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan – often labeled 鈥�The Mad Mullah鈥� by the British – who was a pivotal leader in Somali resistance against colonial rule. He challenged European colonial authority and mobilized emerging national consciousness. The film revisits his contested legacy, examining how colonial narratives shaped his image and how he remains a symbol of听Somali nationalism in the Horn of Africa.

Following the screening, we will hold an informal discussion reflecting on the histories of resistance, colonial narratives, and the politics of representation in the Horn of Africa. Beyond the film itself, we hope to foster thoughtful discussion, intellectual exchange, and community across disciplines.

Popcorn will be provided

Click the link below to RSVP:

Speaker: Prof. Tsitsi Mpofu-Mketwa,School of Social work, 杏吧原创 University.

Date: March 30, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM 鈥� 12:00 PM (EST) or 3:00 PM 鈥� 5:00 PM GMT

Abstract:

This presentation draws on nine isiXhosa digital stories produced as part of an interdisciplinary research project that employed household surveys, participatory methods including community mapping, photovoice and digital storytelling. The project sought to co-produce knowledge and address community resilience against flooding, drought and fire disasters in three Cape Flats vulnerable communities. The co-researchers elucidated their experiences of disasters and their听understanding of resilience through digital storytelling. They emphasised ubuntu values of humanism and interdependency in framing their sense of resilience. Here we unpack why we recommend translanguaging- expanding boundaries of language use from the conventions of English to incorporate other meaning-making modes, including narrative scripts, creative art and linguistic tools to generate richer knowledge. By validating isiXhosa and other cultural identities, co-creating the concept of resilience and narrative analysis of isiXhosa scripts, we demonstrated that translanguaging is pivotal to decoloniality and enhances knowledge co-production in the context of environmental disaster risks.

杏吧原创 the speaker

Dr Tsitsi Mpofu-Mketwa joined 杏吧原创 University in 2023, bringing in more than 15 years of experience in the academic and non-profit sectors. Tsitsi worked in the field of poverty and social development in the Cape Flats communities of Cape Town, with a specific focus on child protection social work, youth development, and women鈥檚 empowerment. Dr Mpofu-Mketwa鈥檚 research interests are in applied community-engaged and participatory research that draws on human development paradigms to build capacities of marginalized and most deprived communities in response to urban poverty and social exclusion. 听Dr Mpofu-Mketwa鈥檚 research aims to promote sustainable livelihoods in poverty contexts and understand how resilience, individual and collective agency contribute to social and human development. Dr Mpofu-Mketwa has taught sociology and social work courses on poverty, development, and community development at undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr Mpofu-Mketwa is actively involved in environmental advocacy by tackling invasive species to promote green spaces as part of green social work through the Greenspace Stewardship Committee of Alta Vista Community Association in Ottawa. Dr Mpofu-Mketwa holds a PhD degree in Sociology of Development and an MSoc Sci in Social Development from the University of Cape Town. She is currently the Director of the Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship.