Engaging Africa/Engaging Africans: Knowledge, Representation, Politics
Last week I presented a paper at Engaging Africa/Engaging Africans: Knowledge, Representation, Politics. It was a fantastic conference and inspirational on many levels. I was particularly interested in the ‘history of knowledge’ relating to African diaspora communities, and its implications for the use and application of digital technology.
My presentation explored issues and opportunities related to mobile phone communication for health and wellbeing information with the Sudanese community. A key element of this was the consideration of a local/community perspective and technology strategies using a ‘differentiated’ approach based on age, gender, language, literacy and other factors. The feedback on my paper was quite positive. It has given me new angles and ideas to explore for an academic article based on the presentation, and a nonfiction piece.
Beyond my own work, I think it was an important academic event for Victoria University to host and support in collaboration with the African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific. It demonstrated the complex experiences of African communities, the ongoing negotiation of power relationships between individuals, groups and organisations within and working with African communities, and what we can learn from research, training and development projects happening in the many countries within Africa, and across the world.
Related links:
African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific
Using ICT for Chronic Disease Self-Management by CALD Communities