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>
> From: British Academy [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 14 March 2008 14:07
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: African Childhood in Transition
>
>
>
>
>
> African Childhood in Transition
>
> Saturday, 26 April 2008
>
> 10.30am - 5.30pm, followed by a drinks reception
> British Academy, 10 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1
>
> Convenors:
> Dr Nici Nelson, Goldsmiths, University of London
> Dr Deborah Janes, London School of Economics
>
> Speakers:
> Nicolas Argenti, Brunel University, Jo Berry, World Bank, Olawale  
> Ismail, University of Bradford, Jenny Kuper, London School of  
> Economics, Jean La Fontaine, London School of Economics, Murray  
> Last, University College London, Ruth Payne, Street Child Africa  
> and Royal Holloway, David Pratten, Univeristy of Oxford, Helen  
> Poulsen, Institute of Education, Charles Ukeje, University of Oxford
>
> In the turbulent changes experienced by African societies in the  
> twentieth and twenty-first centuries, it is children who have  
> perhaps been most profoundly affected. Political and military  
> upheavals, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, economic down-turns and the  
> resulting large-scale movement of migrants have all had  
> considerable impact on the youth of the continent. This workshop  
> intends critically to examine the roles played by children during  
> these changes. The organisers and speakers take the position that  
> children have not been passive victims of these changes but have  
> themselves often been active agents in transforming their  
> societies. They also maintain that many of the negative portrayals  
> in the British media, which represent children as objects or even  
> subjects of occult forces, are misleading. The workshop, which  
> presents perspectives from the non-governmental and policy sectors  
> alongside those of academic rese archers, aims to challenge some of  
> these stereotypes.
>
> The morning session, chaired by Murray Last from UCL, examines the  
> transitions in the meanings and values which different cultures  
> have ascribed to children or their activities. Youth gangs in West  
> Africa are discussed by David Pratten of Oxford, who analyses the  
> socio-economic and political motivations which result in the  
> formation of these gangs and which mould their activities. The  
> phenomenon of child witchcraft beliefs and practices - which have  
> also had an impact here in the African diaspora – is explored by  
> Jean La Fontaine of the London School of Economics. The role of  
> education in changing the ways in which girls are positioned by the  
> state & international agencies within communities, and the way  
> girls see themselves in this process, is the topic of the talk by  
> Helen Poulsen of the Institute of Education. The afternoon session  
> will look at the active courage and initiative of child actors in  
> making transi tions to adulthood in new and different ways.  
> Orphaned or abandoned children in Zambia, argues Ruth Payne of  
> Street Child Africa and Royal Holloway, become heads of households,  
> taking on what formerly would have been defined as ‘adult’  
> responsibility for siblings oryounger companions. A joint  
> presentation by Charles Ukege (of Oxford ) and Olawale Ismail (of  
> Bradford) will discuss children who enter the adult domain of  
> politics, from which they previously would have been excluded,  
> becoming political activists. Finally, a speaker (to be announced)  
> will explore the topic of child soldiers The workshop will close  
> with a plenary discussion in which Nicolas Argenti of Brunel will  
> give a brief overview of the themes and critical ideas from the  
> previous papers. The aim is to create an agenda for questions and  
> discussions involving all the participants and the audience.
> A poster for your notice board ca n be downloaded here:
>
> Visit our website for a programme and to book on-line
> Telephone enquiries: 020 7969 5238 / Email:  
> [log in to unmask]
>
> For media enquiries please contact Michael Reade, External  
> Relations, 020 7969 5263 / [log in to unmask]
>
>
> The British Academy
> 10 Carlton House Terrace
> London SW1Y 5AH
>
> Tel: 020 7969 5200
> Fax: 020 7969 5300
> Web: www.britac.ac.uk
>
>
> -- 
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> {~A815781847664725641686~}


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