Conferences Across the Continent – a Collaboration with the Point Sud Network
In 2021, MIASA introduced a series of annual conferences which are organised in collaboration with one of MIASA’s German partner, the Goethe University Frankfurt, and institutional members of the network Point Sud. These conferences enhance MIASA’s outreach and visibility on the continent. They facilitate the collaboration of MIASA with universities and research institutions outside Ghana, including in franco- and lusophone countries. And they contribute important scientific results for the research agenda of MIASA. All conferences were jointly convened by colleagues from MIASA in Ghana, representatives of the Point Sud network partners and scholars from Germany.
“Prospects for Regional Integration in Africa. A Comparative Perspective” (13-15 September 2021)

MIASA CC-BY-4.0: Conference in Stellenbosch, September 2021
The first international thematic conference of MIASA took place in September 2021 at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) in South Africa on the topic “Prospects for Regional Integration in Africa. A Comparative Perspective”. The interdisciplinary conference highlighted different attempts for regional political and economic integration on the African continent like ECOWAS, AU and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). In addition, lessons to be learned for Africa from integration processes in Europe, Asia and Latin America were discussed. The papers showed that one of the most important obstacles to regional integration is the challenge of overlapping regional memberships (REC’s) in Africa. Moreover, lack of coordination is compounded by the weak institutions, rigid regulations, inadequate resources, the lack of political-will, perceived loss of sovereignty, poor infrastructure, lack of legal frameworks and language barriers are responsible for the slow regional integration in Africa. However, other integration processes like the EU, ASEAN or Mercosur have only a limited orientation value for Africa, given the specific historical development and colonial legacy. The results of the conference will be published in an edited volume which will appear in 2024.
Detailed report: miasa.hypotheses.org/2531
“African Cities: Climate Change and the Search for Resilience” (24-26 October 2022)

MIASA CC-BY-4.0: Conference in Maputo, October 2022
The second thematic conference of MIASA on “African Cities: Climate Change and the Search for Resilience” took place in October 2022 at the University Eduardo Mondlane in Maputo, Mozambique. The papers highlighted the interrelation between processes of rapid urbanization and climate change as well as the need for understanding the effects of climate change in urban areas in the context of its interconnection with the degradation of family farming in rural areas. The presenters showed how African cities are aiming to take measures against climate change by integrating actions like urban gardening or community participation, but also the shortcomings and mismanagement which enhance the vulnerability of cities to natural hazards. The papers also addressed the manifold initiatives by actors of the civil society to raise public awareness and argued for taking indigenous knowledge into account to elaborate futures strategies to adapt to climate change. Moreover, architects and urban planners working for different NGO’s as well as representatives of the municipality were invited to present their work and engage with the invited scholars. The results of the conference will appear in an edited volume which will be published in 2024.
Detailed report: miasa.hypotheses.org/2565
“The Role of Traditional Institutions for Promoting Sustainable Peace in Africa” (30 November-2 December 2023)

MIASA CC-BY-4.0: Conference in Ouagadougou, November 2023
The third thematic conference of MIASA focused on “The Role of Traditional Institutions for Promoting Sustainable Peace in Africa”. It was held in December 2023 at the Institute for Sciences on Societies (INSS-CNRST) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The central question of the conference was to what extent traditional institutions like chiefs, spiritual leaders, customary courts, rituals and practices can either contribute to resolve or to foster conflicts. The papers analysed the role of different traditional institutions and conflict situation including current armed conflicts in the region. One important outcome was the critical reflection on central notions like “power”, “authority” and “peace”. Especially in armed conflicts, one can hardly speak of peace, but more about “managing violence”. The influence of traditional institutions in conflict situations is highly contextual and changing over time and space. A key factor resides in their legitimacy vis-à-vis different actors like local communities or the state. Several papers were also highlighting the role of women in peacebuilding processes. During the thematic conference about the role of traditional institutions for sustainable peace, a round table was organized with representatives of the Women’s Network for Peace of ECOWAS, the West African Network for Peace building (WANEP), a local association fostering peace on the community level as well as a former minister of reconciliation and a village chief. A special issue of some of the best papers in a peer-reviewed journal is planned.
Detailed report: miasa.hypotheses.org/2613

MIASA CC-BY-4.0: Conference in Ouagadougou, group picture, Nov. 2023

MIASA CC-BY-4.0: Conference in Ouagadougou, Nov. 2023
OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
Marko Scholze (January 30, 2024). Conferences Across the Continent – a Collaboration with the Point Sud Network. Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa - Blog. Retrieved February 18, 2026 from https://miasa.hypotheses.org/2228



