The Month of May is recognised as Africa Month, to celebrate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity on 25 May 1963.  This day, the 25 May was declared as Africa Liberation Day as a symbol of unity amongst all Africans.

The Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the precursor to the African Union (AU) comprises of 54 Member states. Africa Month also acknowledges the progress that we, as Africans including the Pan African intellectuals, have made in the continent in addressing collectively the challenges that we face such as inter-state conflicts, civil wars, failed peace agreements,  hunger, exploitation of natural resources, recruitment of young children as child soldiers and humanitarian disasters.

During the Africa Focus Week, on the 23rd of May 2018, the Institute for Dispute Resolution in Africa (IDRA), in the College of Law, University of South Africa ( UNISA) will commemorate the Africa week by convening an International Conference on African Mediation the African Way under the theme “African Mediation – Towards the liberation and decolonization of mediation in African Conflicts”.

“The purpose of this International conference is to bring together knowledge leaders in African Dispute Resolution, especially scholars and practitioners with experience in African Mediation, including some IDRA research associates, said  Dr Andreas Velthuizen -  Acting Head of IDRA

Several senior academics and intellectuals from South Africa, other African countries, and the African Diaspora will present and share their knowledge

•  The International Conference on African Mediation 2018 will unpack and decipher the following sub themes:
• From a culture of dualism and confrontation to a culture of harmony
• Decolonizing research methodology
• Peace- building and decoloniality
• Mediation for peace-building in Africa
• Ethiopian peace-building engagement on South Sudan
• Mediating the Mozambique conflict
• The SADC Mediation of the political succession in the hereditary Republican dynasty of the Democratic Republic of Congo: 1997-2018
• The work of mediators beyond borders in Afrika
• The SADC NGO Council task team on mediation in the region
• Traditional methods of conflict resolution in Nigeria
• Requirements for successful mediation in African conflicts
• Successful negotiations and mediation: the !Khomani San Land issues
• Peace poetry and prophecies on peace in Africa

Details of the IDRA International Conference on African Mediation are as follow:
 
Date:     23 May 2018
Time:     08:30 – 17:00
Venue:  Philadelphia Hall, 5th Floor, Solomon Mahlangu Building, UNISA Vudec Campus
             (Cnr: Lilian Ngoyi and Nana Sita - parking at opposite building, UNISA Little Theatre)

The international Conference on African mediation will be graced by the UNISA choir, traditional dance groups, book launch on African dispute resolution, the Department of Arts and Culture in South Africa. There will also be the announcement of the winners of the All- Africa Artistic Expression and Essay Competition on an Afrikan identity of peace and prosperity.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the International Conference.

For RSVPs and interview requests, please contact: Mr Tommy Huma (Unisa Senior Media Liaison Officer) on 012 429 3981 / 072 218 6197 / humatm@unisa.ac.za

FOR QUOTES AND INTERVIEWS PLEASE CONTACT:

Adv. Sipho mantula
IDRA Reseacher
012 484 1109 / 079 565 7799