A suggested link to access the conference
https://anu.zoom.us/j/89372914667pwd=dE8reWkzRnBSaTRWNXB4Sk5XWElDQT09  

After a welcome to country by Uncle Paul House the conference made a powerful start.Acting Deputy Vice-chancellor Professor Ann Evans confirmed the ANU’s interest in Africa.
In Session 1 David Mickler demonstrated how Curtin’s engagement with Africa had grown rapidly in the last 12 months and suggested a national pathway.
Matthew Neuhaus gave a revealing  overview of the Australian Government’s wavering engagement with Africa. Karo Moret Miranda described how, in spite of the amazing feedback for African courses at the ANU in 2023, the only 2024 course was on conflict in Africa.
Session 2 on Health demonstrated the valuable and relevant African research being done and by ANU researchers, with collaborators within and beyond the ANU, and jointly with other institutions. Omoge Adeyemi added an international element by contributing virtually from Spain.

From James O’Donnell

Seminar Toward a network theory of family change
Presenter Shao-Tzu Yu

Date Tuesday, 7 November 2023
Time 1.00–2.00pm Australian eastern daylight time (UTC+11)
Location Room 4.69, RSSS Building, ANU, 146 Ellery Crescent, Acton ACT, Australia and by Zoom (password: 306745)

Abstract
Global economic inequality is on the rise, with poorer regions bearing the highest burden. There is a common assumption that by understanding family dynamics across the globe, we can gain clearer insight into the roots of inequalities. This common assertion that macro-level phenomena can be indirectly inferred from studying micro-level social processes remains somewhat inconclusive, both theoretically and empirically. Existing demographic theories, notably those aligned with modernisation hypotheses, are subject to this claim. This dissertation leverages three essays to illustrate the challenges of addressing this micro-macro gap. The first essay, for example, demonstrates that ‘top-down’ classifications of household types could drastically underestimate the complexity of family arrangements in rural South African settings, countering predictions from the convergence thesis. The second essay extends this endogenous concern by demonstrating how economic resources can diffuse across a large-scale interhousehold social network, highlighting an overlooked domain in family research. The concluding essay examines how, whether, and to what degree small-scale family interactions could affect large-scale economic inequalities. These studies highlight the importance of understanding ‘how’ families are interconnected as a potential pathway to contextualise population processes and changes.

Bio

Shao is a PhD student at the ANU School of Demography. His dissertation examines the emergent properties of social and economic networks.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://anu.zoom.us/j/89587321433?pwd=MzhpUU1MRnRaNHovL0RTejJMeWpHUT09

Meeting ID: 895 8732 1433
Password: 306745

Contact
Contact James O’Donnell with any questions james.odonnell@anu.edu.au
https://demography.cass.anu.edu.au/events

Professor Bina D’Costa has been appointed as the United Nations Human Rights Council special procedures mandate holder in the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (WGEPAD)

She is a professor at the Department of International Relations, Coral Bell School of Asia-Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University.

The international relations expert and human rights advocate said: “Our shared goal towards advancing and protecting the rights of people of African descent in all their diversities is a key motivation for me to take up this position.”

She also added: “In this role I bring with me more than 25 years of advocacy, research and field experience in academia, human rights organisations, and the aid sector. I have spent most of my career researching post-conflict environments, fragile contexts and challenging political and security settings, particularly in South and Southeast Asia, Southern Europe, East Africa, and the Horn of Africa.”

From the Co-Convener ANU African Studies Network

Dear All, 

The ANU African Studies Network is pleased to invite researchers and professionals from Australia, the Pacific, and around the world to submit their papers for presentation at the 2^nd ANU African Studies Network Conference. 

Conference Details 

Date: November 23-24, 2023 

We welcome abstract submissions from a wide range of topics and disciplines, although priority will be given to research conducted on Africa. 

Important Date 

Submission Deadline for Abstracts: November 3^rd 2023 

Please submit your abstracts to Audrey Kalindi at audrey.kalindi@anu.edu.au. We look forward to your contributions and the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions on African studies. We encourage you to share this call for “abstract” with your interested colleagues and peers.

School of Demography Seminar
Date & time
Thu 19 Oct 2023, 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Location
Bob Douglas Lecture Theatre, Building 62, Mills Road ACTON 2601
See https://demography.cass.anu.edu.au/events/health-and-complexity-south-and-sub-saharan-africa 
Also available on Zoom

Since the Award was launched in 2014 , winning
projects have included research in the fields of
medical science, the environment, animal behaviour (crop -raiding), interventions in early dementia, and cross-cultural science communication.
The Award is open to Australian citizens and
permanent residents. It is not restricted to university students.
For more information about the Award, and to
read short biographies of previous winners and
their projects, visit the RCS ACT Branch website
at www.rcsact.org and follow the links.
The deadline for the 2024 Award is Friday 13 October 2023.
Georgia Troup was the 2019 winner for work on the African elephant.

Currently on display at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, are four substantial West African carvings, including one abstract Yoruba item. These are shown as a part of the NGA’s ongoing ‘World Wide’ collection.

Meeting Venue: Building 146, RSSS, Room 2.56, Lecture Room 1,

From Rita Agha, Co-convenor ASN:

‘Dear Esteemed Colleagues,
I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. Thank you for your commitment and active engagement in the ANU African Studies Network. I am delighted to extend to you a cordial invitation to our upcoming ANU ASN monthly meeting scheduled for 5:30 pm -7:00pm, September 29, 2023.

Agenda
During this meeting, we will address crucial matters pertaining to the ANU ASN 2023 Conference, including detailed discussions on planning, logistics, and the formation of the conference committee.
We welcome your valuable input and insights as we collectively endeavor to make the ANU ASN 2023 Conference a resounding success. Your participation is instrumental in shaping the future of our network and ensuring the conference’s excellence.
Please consider extending this invitation to colleagues and individuals who share our passion for African Studies. Their perspectives and contributions will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your dedication, and we look forward to your presence and active participation in this forthcoming meeting.”

August Meeting, Friday 25th, 5.30-6.30 pm

Building 146, RSSS, Room 1.21, Lectorial Room 1

From Anu Adeyemi
‘Once again, I like to extend an invitation to you for the August Meeting of the ANU African Studies Network.

At this meeting, there will be a handing over to the new Executive Team (see below), Also, we would be ideating on the 2023 forthcoming ANU African Studies Workshop/Conference and the structure of the AASN moving forward.

Please feel free to send this invitation to others and come along with interested persons.’

NEW EXECUTIVE
African Studies Network held its July meeting on Friday, July 28, 2023, at the Research School of Social Sciences.
The meeting was attended by PhD scholars and academics engaged in African Studies at the ANU.

During this meeting, a new leadership was nominated and selected including the following persons:
1. Iddrisu Bukari – Co-convenor
2. Rita Agha – Co-convenor
3. Iko-Ojo Simon – Media Representative
4. Joel Odota – Media Representative
5. Yangtze Yang – Media Representative
6. Hilda Agyekum – Representative – ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
7. Nawiene David Chutab – Representative – ANU College of Business and Economics
8. Wonder Agbemavi – Representative – ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences”

Bruce Armstrong, the CEO of Canberra-based Aspen Medical Group, paid a visit to their team in Somalia last week. The team is being led by Dr Hiram Muriuki, MBChB, MBA.

 The team  provides  critical health services to the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).

UNSOS is  providing support to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and the Somali Federal Security Institutions.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-armstrong-79003a4/?trk=mention-text