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Rethinking
Independence? DR Congo 50 years later
Call for papers
In June 2010 Congo
has its 50th Independence Anniversary. The Intercultural Institute in
the Great Lakes, Pole Institute, organises from June 29th to July 3rd
an international Conference "Rethinking Independence ?" DR
Congo 50 years later." The forum should take a critical and constructive
look at the developments during the last 50 years, the situation today
and the perspectives for the future. We want to celebrate this Anniversary
in our own way, analysing the situation of the country and the factors
which probably lead to today's quagmire. At the same time we draw from
our lasting commitment to work for a better future and a life with more
dignity for all Congolese.
We want to act against resignation accepting the difficult and unbearable
situation of most Congolese as a fatality or a doomed destiny.
We want to refute the hateful, destructive and infantilising hypotheses
looking for a scape-goat, the eternal "other" causing all of
Congo's troubles.
We want to initiate and facilitate a constructive debate on responsibilities,
past errors, hidden treasures of experience and potential for the future.
The following themes will be worked on and discussed:
1) Learning from History
- Revisit the concept of "Independence" in the African and Congolese
context
- The Congo: Myths, Delusions and Perceptions
- Independence in Culture (literature, music, etc.)
- Football, Music and Dressing Up: the three pillars of the Nation?
- The Berlin Conference: a Beginning to what End?
- A Congo with two Faces - Economy and Politics: parallel and schizophrenic
approaches
- The Great Congolese Disorder: What Foundations for local and National
Governance?
- Traditional Chiefdoms in the Congo before and after Independence: Myths
and Realities
- Congo as a "Free-trade Zone": Natural Resources and Dependence
- Conflicts in the Congo in the last 50 years: Economic, Political and
Cultural Factors
2) Beyond Borders
- 50 years later: Blue Helmets as always at the Congo's Sick Bed
- The Congo and the International Community: a Family Affair?
3) Towards the
Future
- The Congolese State: Refounding what and on which basis?
- Elections in the DRC: Creating a Foundation for a functioning State
or Legitimising the Privatisation of Power?
- Between Centralism and Decentralisation: what Mode of Governance for
the Congo of the 21st Century?
- The Ethnic Communities in the Congo - Seats of Power: Limits and Potential
- Congo's Riches: How to Overcome the Curse
- Congo and its Twelve Neighbours: Conditions and Potential of Regional
Development
We call for papers by field workers, academics, researchers and other
experts in the different areas.
Please send your abstracts in English or French before March 30th 2010.
send to:
osematumba@gmail.com
aloys.tegera@googlemail.com
plindiro@yahoo.co.uk
For those who might
not be able to join us in Goma in June: we would be grateful to have your
contributions in writing to be included in the Final Conference Report.
Pole Institute
Goma, January 2010
www.pole-institute.org
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