Events
FALL 2008
Join New York University's Africa House for events that look at political, economic, social and cultural aspects of Africa and its relationship with the world.
The following events are free and open to the public. People who are not members of the NYU community are encouraged to attend, but are reminded that some form of photo ID will be required to gain entrance to most NYU buildings. We encourage anyone interested in learning more about these events or new developments at Africa House to subscribe to our email list by emailing africa.house@nyu.edu.
Africa House Welcome Reception with DRI Faculty and Students
Thursday Sept 11, 2008
The first get together of the school year by Africa House and friends for the purpose of planning programs and activities for the year. The meeting had representatives from various groups and departments including the Development Research Institute (DRI), the Alexander Hamilton Center for Political Economy, NYU Health Group, the Center for International Cooperation, Stern-In-Africa MBA Student Group, the Wagner Student Alliance for Africa, and faculty from the departments of Politics, Economics, History, Journalism and Health.
S & M: Shrines and Masquerades in Cosmopolitan Times
Tuesday Sept 16, 2008
The sculptures were presented in Steinhart's Washington Square East's Galleries with an Opening reception at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This exhibition was in conjunction with the Metropolitan Museum's exhibit The Essential Art of African Textiles: Design without End and the Grey Art Gallery's Poetics of Cloth: African Textiles/Recent Art.
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To view images visit here
The CATER Initiative: Can Technology aid in Poverty Alleviation
Thursday Sept 25, 2008
A presentation by Professor Lakshminarayanan on the role of technology in alleviating poverty in Africa. After his lecture there was a discussion followed by a Q & A session.
3rd Annual Presidential Forum on Tourism
Friday Sept 26, 2008
"Showcasing Destination Africa: Unleashing the Possibilities". This event featured visiting heads of states from Africa speaking about tourism and travel in their perspective countries. Moderated by Yaw Nyarko, the speakers included the Hon. Callista Chapola-Chimombo, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture of Malawi, the Hon. Shamsa Mwangunga, ATA President & Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Kabinga Jacus Pande, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Zambia and Professor Bill Easterly from the Economics Department of NYU.
View pictures
For additional information visit ATA website
The Essential Art of African Textiles: Design without End
Wednesday Oct 1, 2008
Opening reception at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
To learn more, visit Met Museum
The Essential Art of African Textiles: Design without End
Saturday Oct 4, 2008
Held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Doran H. Ross lectured on African textiles. He is a Senior Research Scholar, and The James S. Coleman African Studies Center at UCLA. The lecture was followed by a roundtable panel focusing on modes of contemporary expression in Africa.
To learn more, visit Met Museum
The Poetics of Cloth: African Textiles/Recent Art
Monday Oct 6, 2008
An opening reception of for the art exhibit was at the Grey Art Gallery. The Poetics of Cloth: African Textiles / Recent Art juxtaposes a selection of the finest examples of modern and classic 19th–century textiles–from Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Madagascar–with works by a number of Africa's leading contemporary artists. Comparing and contrasting tribal fabrics with contemporary paintings, sculpture, and photographs by African artists, the exhibition not only draws attention to textiles, a medium that has previously been overshadowed by traditional African sculpture, but also illuminates the connections and continuities between past and recent modes of expression.
"The Macroeconomics of Oil Booms: Lessons for Sub-Saharan Africa"
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Dr. Elbadawi, a lead Economist at the Development Economic Research Group of the World Bank discussed his paper titled, "The Macro Economics of Oil Booms: Lessons for Sub Saharan Africa". Paper Synopsis: The rise of China and the recent global oil boom present huge economic opportunities for African oil-exporting countries. This is not only due to the high oil prices, but also because of China's strategic interest in developing robust economic ties with these countries in order to secure its long-term energy needs. However, the ultimate development impact of the current oil boom and the deepening economic relations with China will eventually depend on these countries' domestic economic policies for managing the boom, and the economic and political institutions underpinning these policies.
Paper Synopsis: The rise of China and the recent global oil boom present huge economic opportunities for African oil-exporting countries. This is not only due to the high oil prices, but also because of China's strategic interest in developing robust economic ties with these countries in order to secure its long-term energy needs. However, the ultimate development impact of the current oil boom and the deepening economic relations with China will eventually depend on these countries' domestic economic policies for managing the boom, and the economic and political institutions underpinning these policies.
Africa Diaries – Film Series
Friday Oct 17, 2008
The first in a series of monthly film screenings to be hosted by Africa House, L.M. Kit Carson showed 3 clips on Mozambique from his documentary series African Diary, which will be aired on the Sundance channel. The 5 minute videos were shot entirely on a Nokia N93 camcorder phone. Even though the films were short clips, the discussion that followed were very insightful, prompting Carson to show the clips a second time upon requests from the audience. Africa Diary is an emotional and newsworthy survey of current African nations and societies. Carson offers four diary entries per chosen country, focusing on issues pertaining to government, economy and citizenship. Carson is an award-winning screenwriter and producer for both independent and Hollywood studios.
Public Lecture: Jacob Zuma
Friday October 24, 2008
Jacob Zuma the President of the African National Congress participated in a public lecture where he spoke about the South Africa, the role of the government, as well as the role of government in general on the African continent. The program began with brief introductions from Yaw Nyarko and the Consulate General of SA, followed by Jacob Zuma and concluded with a Q & A session moderated by Yaw Nyarko. The event was attended by over 600 people including students and faculty from various schools such as Columbia University, international students from South African, as well as people interested in Africa. The event was then followed by a dinner reception for VIP guests at Kimmel in honor of Jacob Zuma.
"Disability doesn't mean Inability"
Monday, October 27, 2008
Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, the subject of the award winning documentary, "Emmanuel's Gift" and a Challenged Athletes Foundation ambassador to Ghana and Africa, shared his experiences growing up as a cripple in a society that abandoned and shunned the disable. To show his countrymen that disability doesn't mean inability, he pedaled a bike donated by CAF 610 km (379 miles) around Ghana using only his left leg. Now able to stand on two feet (thanks to an operation and a high-tech prosthetic donated by Loma Linda University Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Institute), he works vigorously to ensure that opportunities are available to all physically challenged Ghanaians.
Enhancing the Gains from Growth in Africa House
Thursday Nov. 20, 2008
Léonce Ndikumana, director of the Development Research Department of the African Development Bank, presented his paper titled, "Enhancing the Gains from Growth in Africa" to a group of students, faculty and staff, including a class from a M.P.A class from Baruch College. Ndikumana obtained his Ph.D. in economics from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. His research is in applied macroeconomics and economic development. Ndikumana has also done research on the economics and politics of ethnic conflict and civil wars in Africa as well as macroeconomic policies for post-conflict reconstruction.