Africa at ODU Celebration to be held Oct. 15
"African Heritage: Roots and Culture" is the theme for this year's Africa at ODU celebration, to be held Thursday, Oct. 15. The keynote speaker for the special event is Jean-Jacques Ngor Sène, assistant professor of history, cultural and conflict studies at Chatham University in Pittsburgh.
Africa at ODU, an annual event instituted in 2007, was created to increase awareness among students, faculty, staff and the community about current events and the cultural characteristics of the many countries on the African continent. Through student and faculty collaboration, the event highlights regional and national achievements in Africa in an effort to dispel stereotypes that often are propagated by news headlines.
Sène, a citizen of Senegal, has been on the forefront of several projects in conjunction with the regional bureaus of UNICEF and UNESCO. He received his Ph.D. in African studies from Université de Rennes Il-Haute Bretagne, and later joined Duquesne University for postdoctoral work in conflict resolution and peace studies. Sène, a coordinator of the Global Focus program, has lived in Japan and the Netherlands. His current research concentrates on myth, religion, power, subregional integration programs in West Africa, the African renaissance movement and neo-Marxist movements across the globe.
Africa at ODU is co-sponsored by all six academic colleges, the Division of Student Affairs, the Institute for Race and Ethnicity, the Office of Intercultural Relations and numerous student organizations. All events are free and open to the public.
Schedule of Events
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
African Nations Fair & Poetry Readings
North and South Malls - Webb University Center
3 - 4:15 p.m.
South Africa Study Abroad Forum
Potomac/York/Lynnhaven River Rooms
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Keynote Address: Jean-Jacques Ngor Sène
North Cafeteria - Webb University Center
6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Reception & Cultural Showcase
North Cafeteria - Webb University Center
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
African Music
North Cafeteria - Webb University Center
For more information, call the Office of Intercultural Relations at 683-4406.