October 26, 2001

Terrace Room, Logan Hall, University of Pennsylvania Campus

Co-Sponsors
African Studies Center, University of Pennsylvania
Balch Institute of Ethnic Studies
University of Pennsylvania Middle East Center

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8:30-9:00 ­ Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00-9:15 ­ Opening Remarks, Lee Cassanelli, Director, African Studies Center

9:15-10:45 ­ Panel: Understanding "The New African Diaspora: Historical and Contemporary Examples

Chair: Paul Kaiser, University of Pennslyvania

"Prayer, Pragmatism, and the "New Philadelphia Negro": The Role of Religious Institutions in the Lives of African Immigrants." Leigh Swiggart, West African Research Association

"Labor and Emancipation: A Lagosian Community in Nineteenth Century Havana." Solimar Otero, University of Pennsylvania

"Views of and From the Diaspora in Electronic and Print Form: Some Recent Writing by Africans in the Diaspora." Abioseh Porter, Drexel University

"Passivity and Cyberactivism in Some Sudanese Listservs." Ali Dinar, University of Pennsylvania

10:45-12:00 ­ Panel: The Role of Diaspora Africans in Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking for Africa: The Case of Burundi

Chair: Rose Kadende-Kaiser, University of Pennsylvania

"From Refugee to Peacemaker." Jean Ndayizigiye, Eastern Mennonite University

"In of Search of Peace at Home: Activities of the Burundi Youth Council in the Diaspora." Fred G. Ngoga, University of Pennsylvania

"Reflections on Networking Strategies." Jean-Luc Ndizeye

Discussant: Lee Cassanelli, University of Pennsylvania

12:00-1:30 ­ Lunch

1:30-2:45 ­ Roundtable: Sub-Saharan Africans in Philadelphia: Challenges and Benefits of Cooperation and Organization

Chair and Discussant: Kate Wilson, Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies
Bernadine Ahonkhai, Nigerian People's Forum and Efik National Association
Siddiq A.A. Hadi (Sudan) ­ Sudanese Businsess Association
Voffee Jabateh (Liberia) ­ Liberian Association
Thomas Mebrahtu, Eritrean Community of Philadelphia, Inc
Ernest Greenwood, Community Relations Division, Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations

2:45-3:45 ­ Roundtable: Negotiating African Identity as Students in the United States

Chair and Discussant: Holly Hanson, Mt. Holyoke College
Jacqueling Busingye, Biomedical Ethnics Major, Mt. Holyoke College
Patience Moyo, International Relations Major, Mt. Holyoke College
Mabel Ntiru, English Major, Mt. Holyoke College
Marion Ntiru, Economics/Mathematics Major, Mt. Holyoke College
Akua Soadwa, Economics/Sociology Major, Mt. Holyoke College

3:45-5:00 ­ Panel: "The Accidental American": The North African Experience in America

Chair and Discussant: Bob Vitalis

"Reflections of a Member of the Sacrifice Generation." Amel Ahmed, University of Pennsylvania

"Becoming a U.S. Citizen: Expectations and Realities." Hocine Fetne, University of Pennsylvania

"From Refugee to Exile." Nubar Hovsepian, University of Pennsylvania