Poverty and Empowerment in Africa

Africa is among the most resourceful continents in the world and yet the least developed compared to other continents.  This has not always been the case historically as many pre-colonial formations had successful agrarian and market economies that delivered food and services. When and how did things begin to go wrong? Today, the scourge of poverty remains an entrenched reality, as the majority of inhabitants in some places struggle to make a living. The model of empowering Africa to dig out of this quagmire remains elusive. Against this background the thrust of this interdisciplinary conference is to engage scholars to reflect on the historical and contemporary issues of poverty, poverty alleviation, and empowerment.
It is also to generate a dialogue and incite meaningful debates on the conceptualization of poverty and empowerment. Was Africa and poverty conceived in the same ‘womb’? Or is it the case that Africa ‘betrothed’ poverty.  In what ways and with what level of success has a resourceful Africa over time empowered its citizenry?  What has been the bane and ramifications of poverty reduction/eradication and empowerment? Can scholars come up with meaningful new policies?


The conference will be held at:
Location: The University of Texas at Austin
March 30 - April 1, 2012




http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/2012/12Home.html