Announcement of the 5th International Colloquium: Transitions and Transformative Rhetoric (s)
One salient construct has received significant definition in most discourses on Africa: that of a continent perpetually in a state of transition. What, however, has received little attention is the supposed object of transition – that is, the transformation that transition promises. A cursory examination of rhetoric(s) of transformation on the African continent reveals a deeply contest-ed field. In East and some parts of West Africa, where rhetoric(s) of transformation are often invoked within the context of de-velopmental politics, specifically, political promises of infrastructural and modernist futures. In Southern Africa, calls for trans-formation have emerged often in emotive debates over the need to address historical racial injustices. In Northern Africa, transformation is now the site of mortal conflict over democracy, religion, and imperialism. The 5th conference of the African Association for Rhetoric (AAR) seeks precisely to contribute to the current dialectic between transition and transformation.
This conference seeks to bring together eminent intellectuals, researchers, rhetoricians, government operatives, diplomats and industry professionals to contribute to the conversation on the proposed conference theme. The addressed by submis-sions should include but not limited to the subthemes listed below. Each paper will be considered on its own merit. Refereed papers from the conference will be considered for publication in the Association’s publication: African Journal of Rhetoric (AJR).
The organising committee would like to emphasise that the conference of the African Association for Rhetoric is a multidisci-plinary, multisectoral event. We seek participation from all disciplines, sectors and scholars who seek to contribute to en-gagements in and around rhetoric, public communication, leadership and transformation in society.
Sub-themes:
Defining the Rhetoric of Transformation or transformative rhetoric within a socio- political process
Rhetoric, Transitions and Political complications
Formations and Transformations in the Uses of Rhetoric in Africa
Philosophical and Theoretical Approaches to Understanding Transformation in Africa
Political Transitions and Institutional Transformation
Transition, transformation and Presidential Rhetoric
Transitions and Institutional Agency: Changes in Media and the Economic Sector
Impact of Transitions in North Africa on Other African Countries
Imagining a New Africa: The Rhetoric of Transformation in Literature and Oratory
Political Operatives as Agents of Change: Transformational Leadership and Transformational Change
Rhetoric and the Notion of Transitional Justice
Rhetoric, Transformation and Economic Development in Africa
Transition, Transformation and Civil Society
The Intellectual and the Political Process: Rhetoric of Transformation in Knowledge Production
Registration Fees: R2500 (including teas and lunches and Gala Dinner)
Students: R1500
Submission Deadlines
Abstracts: January 30, 2014
Papers: April 28, 2014
Venue: Cape Town (TBD)
Enquiries and abstracts should be sent to:
aar.southafrica@gmail.com
ige.segun@gmail.com; +27 72 461 7415
Conference Secretariat: A5 Schoongezicht, 264 Main Road,
Kenilworth 7708, Cape Town
