OVERVIEW OF BROWNBAG DISCUSSIONS

The African Studies Resource Center (ASRC) after moving to its new offices in Bailey Hall has launched its informal brown bag discussion series to go with the more formal African Studies Seminar. The main purpose of this forum is to involve African and Africanist guests to KU and to offer opportunities for Africanist scholars and graduate students on campus to share their experiences and discuss their views and present their work.

On Tuesday, March 6, Diana Carlin, Dean of the Graduate School and International Programs inaugurated the forum by talking about her first African experience, which was an official visit to Benin in West Africa. At the invitation of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, Carlin helped plan voter education and political debate leading to Benin’s free presidential election. Her presentation was titled “Political Change & Challenge in Benin’s Presidential Election” and it was attended by about 13 Africanist faculty and graduate students.

On March 13, Babacar Ndiaye Captain of the Senegalese Gendarmerie and a Ph.D. holder in Political Philosophy, spoke about “Internal Conflict and Security in Western Africa”. The presentation was translated to English and discussed by Leonardo Villalon of the Political Science Department and attended by 15 Africanists and graduate students.

On May 1 ASRC staff John Janzen and Khalid El-hassan upon their return from the meeting of the Association of African Studies Program in Washington DC, discussed the latest scoop on African studies opportunities for faculty and students. The luncheon discussion was very successful in sharing information on Fulbright, Group Projects Abroad and other travel, study and research opportunities with those in attendance.