Date:
Location:
Join us for the second day of the conference on Asia-Africa Relations.
Panel 1: Globalization Beyond the West
Globalization is often portrayed through a Western lens, shaping our understanding and expectations of international relations and economic development. But what about narratives beyond the West? In this panel, "Globalization Beyond the West," we explore globalization's distinctive yet intertwined trajectories within the context of Asia-Africa relations. We invite scholars to examine the cross-continental influences, shared experiences, and unique challenges these regions face. The panel aims to unravel the multifaceted dynamics of globalization that extend beyond the Western world and envision a more nuanced and inclusive global discourse.
Panel 2: Africa-Asian Historical Connections
The panel explores the historical ties that bind the African and Asian continents. It aims to shed light on the shared experiences and intricate interconnections that span millennia, ranging from ancient trade routes and civilizational exchanges to shared struggles for independence and decolonization. As we excavate these historical ties, we aim to foster an understanding of how these rich interactions have shaped present-day Africa-Asia relations and their joint role in today's global landscape.
Panel 3: Reconceptualizing Agency
Agency, often considered from a Western paternalistic perspective, warrants reconsideration in light of Asia-Africa relations. The panel invites participants to examine this concept through the unique socio-cultural, economic, and political contexts of Asian and African societies. This panel aims to uncover how agency, as experienced and expressed in these diverse societies, shapes. It also hopes to go beyond the agency, exploring ways in which we can reconceptualize Africa and Asia's contribution to international society.
Panel 4: The Vernacular of Everyday Infrastructures
In this panel, we hope to reveal the profound influence of everyday infrastructures - from public transportation and local markets to digital networks and informal housing - on the societies and relationships within and between Asian and African nations. Our panel of experts will show how these infrastructures, often constructed and consumed in local languages and practices, create a vibrant vernacular that underpins social dynamics, economic activities, and cultural exchanges.
8:15-9:00 a.m.
Breakfast
9:15-10:45 a.m.
Panel 1: Globalization Beyond the West
Moderator: Geoffrey Jones, Harvard Business School
Panelists:
- Annette Skovsted Hansen, Aarhus University
- Isaac Odoom, Carleton University
- Marlous van Waijenburg, Harvard Business School
10:45-11:00 a.m.
Coffee Break
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Panel 2: Africa-Asia Historical Connections
Moderator: Emmanuel K. Akyeampong, Harvard University
Panelists:
- Seifudein Adem, Doshisha University
- Lina Benabdallah, Wake Forest University
- Maria Adele Carrai, New York University Shanghai
- Idriss Fofana, Harvard University
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Lunch
1:30-3:00 p.m.
Panel 3: Reconceptualizing Agency
Moderator: Maria Adele Carrai, New York University Shanghai
Panelists:
- Kumiko Makino, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization
- Xiaoyang Tang, Tsinghua University
- Veda Vaidyanathan, Institute of Chinese Studies, Delhi
3:00-3:15 p.m.
Coffee Break
3:15-4:45 p.m.
Panel 4: The Vernacular of Everyday Infrastructures
Moderator: Annette Lienau, Harvard University
Panelists:
- Daniel E. Agbiboa, Harvard University
- Gaurav Desai, University of Michigan
- Pedro Machado, Indiana University Bloomington
4:45-5:00 p.m.
Concluding Remarks
The conference will also be live-streamed via Asia Center's YouTube channel.
Host Organization(s)
Organized by the Harvard University Asia Center and Harvard University Center for African Studies in collaboration with Maria Adele Carrai and Duncan Yoon. Co-sponsored by the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, Harvard-Yenching Institute, Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, Program on U.S.-Japan Relations, and Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies.