• ANU Africa Network

    Posted on

    by

    This website was established in 2013 by David Lucas, and renovated and relaunched in 2020 as part of a project to increase awareness of Africa and African studies in the ANU and the ACT, funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

    Another outcome of that project was a major research report, published in August 2021, African Studies at the Australian National University and in the Australian Capital Territory, analyzing the past, present and future of the study of Africa at the Australian National University and the wider Australian University sector.

    The major innovation on this updated website is the creation of the ACT Africa Expert Directory which lists experts on Africa from institutions around the ACT, primarily the ANU. We will continue to curate this list, offering a key resource for media, government and non-government organizations seeking expert facts and opinions on Africa. Individuals can request to be added to the list by contacting the website managers.

    Another notable addition is the expanded directory of PhD theses on Africa produced in the territory’s universities, a solid measure of the vitality of the study of Africa in the city of Canberra.

    Reviewing these directories, it is revealing to note that the vast majority of research on Africa is produced by disciplinary experts (environmental scientists, economists, demographers, etc.) rather than area studies experts. This means that the study of Africa is woven into the fabric of the research culture of the ANU and the ACT’s other universities in ways that are not necessarily apparent.


  • National Consultation of South Sudanese and Sudanese Church Leaders

    Posted on

    by

    National Consultation of South Sudanese and Sudanese Church Leaders
    Co-hosted by the National Council of Churches in Australia
    and the Australian Centre for Christianity & Culture Canberra

    Dates: Tuesday 15 & Wednesday 16 May 2018, 10.00am to 4.00pm

    Venue:
    The Chambers Pavilion, Australian Centre for Christianity & Culture, 15 Blackall Street, Barton ACT.

    Purpose: After listening to the community in January, as requested, we are gathering a small group of leaders  including from nominations by NCCA Heads of Churches for our meeting, which is just before Africa Week.

    For more information contact
    secretariat@ncca.org.au
    OR
    ACC&C Canberra phone number: 02 6272 6201


  • Trade with Africa: Public Hearing

    Posted on

    by

    A Senate committee is currently inquiring into Australia’s trade and investment relationships with the countries of Africa.

    The committee will hold a hearing in Canberra at Parliament House on 11 May. When it is ready, the program will be available on the committee website:

    https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/TradeinvestmentAfrica/Public_Hearings

    Submissions can be found at:

    https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/TradeinvestmentAfrica/Submissions


  • ANUASA Submission to Crawford Review

    Posted on

    by

    Below are selected parts of the submission of the ANU African Student Association (ANUASA) to the 2017 Review of the Crawford School of Public Policy at The Australian National University. More on the report of the review panel later.

    Augustus Panton, a PhD Candidate |in Economics at the Crawford School, met with the review panel who congratulated ANUASA for its submission.

    “As Australia positions itself as a key partner of Africa, the role of the Australian National
    University cannot be overemphasized. As Australia’s National University and a top global
    research institution, the lack of an established and coordinated research forum on Africa.

    “ANU is a noticeable concern, particularly considering Australia’s strong economic partnership with Africa. Amongst several other functions, the proposed institute can champion the coordination of scholarly research on Africa, bringing together scholarly evidence aimed at informing public policy. This will greatly benefit Australian policymakers and private sector and their African counterparts in promoting trade and investment and sustainable development in Africa.

    The proposed institute could also be instrumental in organizing scholarly events centered on African policy issues, greatly enriching the learning experience of African Students and others with interest in Africa.  Below are some student contributions.

    The strength of the Crawford brand with external stakeholders
    Currently, no Australian university has an African Studies Institute. The prospect of having
    an African Studies Institute could bring together African studies and scholars, in Australian
    foreign policy in Africa, provide many gains for both Africa and Australia, and aid policy decision making.

    ANU is the leading university in Australia and part of the top 20 universities in the world,
    therefore developing the institute of African studies will make ANU forward looking, as ANU
    will be in a position to make positive influence not only to the Asia-pacific but Africa.

    Impact on public policy
    Governance, conflicts and lack of accountability are among issues hindering development in Africa, and having studies as well as research in these areas can assist in identifying policies and structures required for solving these issues.

    The impact of our social media activities and areas for development
    It is almost impossible to publish anything in the development policy blog. Having an Afric an Institute situated at the Crawford school could improve the visibility of the numerous work done by Crawford researchers and multidisciplinary research done on Africa”