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Prof. Franklyn Lisk to Speak at Royal African Society and British Council Event
Professor Franklyn Lisk is to speak at a Royal African Society and British Council event, Africa in 2017: Prospects & Forecasts, at Birmingham University next Monday, 16th January.
Date & Time: Monday 16 January, 18:30 - 20:30, followed by a reception
Venue: Main Lecture Theatre, C-Block, Aston Webb Building, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT
Following a year that’s delivered major surprises in Africa and globally, what does 2017 hold for the African continent? Will it be a year of crises or triumphs?
In terms of elections, 2016 witnessed several major votes on the continent that mostly returned incumbent leaders to power; Ghana, which saw another transition of power, proved to be one of very few exceptions in a pattern that saw sitting presidents in the Republic of Congo, Uganda, Gabon, Zambia, Niger and more all re-elected.
Beyond Africa, the UK’s vote to leave the European Union and the US election delivered further political shocks. What impact will these landmark events and uncertainty in the global system mean for Africa? What can we expect from elections scheduled for 2017 in the likes of Angola, Rwanda, Liberia and Kenya?
Economically, the fall in commodity prices continued to hit major economies, in particular Nigeria, while South Africa, again the continent’s largest economy, remains mired in political turmoil and seems unable to tackle declining economic output and rising unemployment. What impact will commodity prices, an uncertain global economic outlook, and China's continued slowdown have on Africa?
Across the continent, vibrant political and social movements emerged, largely driven by Africa’s rising young populations. This demographic also makes up the majority of migrants leaving the continent as well as much of the force behind Africa’s rising prominence in global cultural production in fields as diverse as film, art and music. How are these creative sectors growing and innovating? What impact will these social, cultural and political movements have in 2017?
Speakers: Dr Njoki Ngumi (The Nest Collective, Nairobi, Kenya); Professor Nic Cheeseman (International Development Department, University of Birmingham); Professor Franklyn Lisk (Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, University of Warwick) & Eliza Anyangwe (Writer & Founder of The Nzinga Effect)
Presented by the British Council and the Royal African Society in partnership with the Department of African Studies and Anthropology and the International Development Department at the University of Birmingham.