SALT! Society for African Life and Thought
SALT! Society for African Life and Thought
Welcome to the new SALT! Society of African Life and Thought
HOKMA HOUSE
(AN EDUCATIONAL & RESEARCH ORGANIZATIO – NIGERIA)
INSTITUTE FOR RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
2018 SALT CONFERENCE (7-8 Sept)
@
STELLENBOSCH UNIV., RSA
CALL FOR PAPERS (Ends: 15 May)
@
‘SOCIETY FOR AFRICAN LIFE AND THOUGHT’
*Note: no membership is required to participate in the first biennial conf.
Scholars and professionals are invited to submit engaging papers for the first biennial SALT conf., on the theme:
‘Modeling the neXt (Global) Economy’
(sub-theme: ‘Beyond colonial and cultural agitation to critical conceptualization of politics, economy and faith for transformation’)
(*Please, see the theme description below or download from Downloads page on www.hokmahouse.org).
All papers must adhere to the standards governing their research and writing for the specific discipline. Papers and panel discussion should reflect adequate historical background or consideration, from antiquity to (post-) modernity, beside other treatment or analysis given the topic itself. Authors and panelists must strive toward a more integrated or holistic understanding of their subject and treatment of the theme (e.g., ‘economy’ must not be understood solely in pecuniary or financial terms); other factors must eigh in here. Presenters are free to explore constructive areas and critical issues within the broad scope of the main theme and its sub-theme.
In order to participate as a paper presenter or panelist, the completed SALT conf registration form, along with a 250-word abstract or summary of paper or forum discussion, must be submitted. Each submission should be sent in word doc to hokmahouse.conf.2000@gmail.com and cc: meetings@hokmahouse.org by 15 May. Each summary should include:
A. Name of presenter or convener; if forum, give full names of discussants;
B. Exact topic(s) as on reg form, plus word count–length of final paper: 4000-5000 words (word & pdf);
C. Desired program format: plenary/lecture, seminar, workshop, panel, symposium, consultation, etc
D. Brief institutional/org profile for presenter/panel convener and each discussant;
E. Specific contribution of presentation to the SALT mission and purpose, or other aspects of SALT.
Deadline: 15 May.
Know the Mission and Purpose of SALT
1. Engaging with African issues past, present and future in a multi-disciplinary context;
2. Giving focus, depth and direction to contemporary African discourses;
3. Exploring new mission frontiers in the expanding knowledge economy,
which would promote integrated human flourishing on the continent;
4. Serving as a catalyst for contemporary African (Christian) communities’ critical engagement with the world;
5. Forming a Christian theological resource base for realizing a new social ordering of society for Africa, and new social offers for African citizens.
2018 SALT Conference Theme and Description:
MODELING THE NEXT (GLOBAL) ECONOMY:
BEYOND COLONIAL AND CULTURAL AGITATIONS TO CRITICAL
CONCEPTUALIZATIONS OF POLITICS, ECONOMY AND FAITH
FOR TRANSFORMATION
The power of ‘economy’–whether local or global–looms large over our world, societies and lives, as to suggest its relative importance in human and governmental functioning, esp. when ‘economy’ is centrally defined by ‘financial flows’. As a ‘tool’ of governance, ‘finances’ form a triad with ‘law’ and ‘military’, and the implication of this union, from ancient times, is borne out by the oft-quoted example that illustrates a definition of ‘politics’: ‘in the conduct of global politics, economic status must be backed by military capacity’ (Oxford Dictionary of English, ed. Angus Stevenson, 2010:
1375).This notion anticipates a regnant conception of the economy as the triad of ‘production,
distribution and consumption’. These activities are presumed best ‘managed’ by the government via ‘laws’ and the agents that are supposed to enforce them.
In re-conceiving the true relation between the triads in any combinations, we must unveil the hidden ideologies which frame them. In judging the current state of our economy, its re-conceptualizing must proceed via critical analysis of human, cultural, social, religious, political and economic structures associated with Africa’s largely undeveloped ‘rural’ villages, as opposed to its equally unplanned emerging ‘urban’ centers. The above triads are manifestly operative in both settings, as to suggest a further constructive engagement with their respective ‘economies’ and the way for the future of Africa. In shaping the next global economy, we must identify for engagement spheres of operation of each triadic element in Africa–e.g. the (neo-)patrimonial/ patron-client system–and their regnant values or dominant beliefs. The controlling ideologies of the triads are engaged beyond agitation about their colonial or cultural origins, to proposing a constructive solution via the triads’ critical re-conceptualization.
This conference adds a faith-dimension to the understanding of the relation of the triads, from historical and theological standpoints. It seeks to navigate the issues via: Christian theological articulation of the relation of politics and economy; and a theological critique of production, distribution and consumption, with their mechanisms and end-users.
A major goal of the conference is to articulate an integrated, robust vision of a transformed African economy, holistically defined; and for its agents, both individual and corporate citizens, who are defined by the emergent urban area, being carriers of a vision to affect the politics and economy of their cities of origin or residence positively, like other cities of the developed world.
AN INAUGURAL CONFERENCE @ST. PAUL’S UNIVERSITY, KENYA
13-14 SEPTEMBER 2016
ON SUBMITTING A ‘SALT INAUGURAL CONF. PAPER/PANEL PROPOSAL’
FINAL DEADLINE: 29 JULY 2016
Presenters or panelists are to be guided by the stated mission and purpose of SALT, when submitting paper or panel proposals for the SALT inaugural conference, Thus, papers or panels may choose to explore an aspect(s) of the mission and purpose; or else move in that general direction, so as to engage critically with them.
Each proposal should include the following items below, along with a 200-300 word-abstract or summary of paper or panel theme to be submitted:
1. 1. Name of Paper Presenter or Symposium Convener/ Names of panelists (if symposium)
2. 2. Full title of paper or theme of panel/symposium or seminar
3. 3. Presenter’s or convener’s academic specialization and professional area
4. 4. Academic discipline or field for your paper (e.g., social anthropology, economic history, social ethics, …)
5. 5. A target professional and industrial area(s) or group(s) for your paper or panel/symposium
6. 6. Specify a major plenary session for your presentation or panel discussion (Socio-Economics; Politics and the African State; Lower and Higher Education; Christianity and African Society; Ethics, Morality and the Good Life; Theology and Globalization; Urban Africa’s New Social Ordering of Society; other?)
7. 7. Specific contribution of your paper or panel/symposium or seminar to the SALT mission and purpose.
Email your proposal, plus full contact details for presenter or panelists, and a brief academic/institutional and professional profile to: meetings@hokmahouse.org; hokmahouse.conf.2000@gmail.com
SOCIETY FOR AFRICAN LIFE AND THOUGHT
. . . shaping a new life, identity and thought (LIT)
A PROSPECTUS
Traditional and contemporary African life’s experiences largely occur independently of the critical systems of thought, which are capable of giving rational meaning and social significance to actions and actors alike. Where aspects of African life are subjected to a rational inquiry or analysis, such exercises often proceed from (if not torn between) ‘the twin virtues of empathy and objectivity’ (E. W. Fasholé-Luke, 1976), with regard to the ‘traditions’ which enshrine them against the onslaught of ‘westernization’, ‘modernization’ and the late grand urbanizer: ‘globalization’. Admittedly, where African experiences are disparaged by critics under the illusion of a value-free ‘objectivity’, such act has produced a sense of disillusionment about the subject matter itself, thus further reinforcing defensive mechanisms against their public engagement. Both split stances appear to be approaches that are often taken by ‘insider’ and ‘outsider’ investigators and contemplators of African life.
Whatever may be said about current practices or emergent patterns of African life, in their sheer diversities and evolutions, there is a need to create newer interdisciplinary ideational frameworks, which are based on the multi-dimensionality/-disciplinarity of knowledge for their correct analysis and understanding. Such need shall have the aim, inter alia, to examine critically the major areas of African life to be correlated to and re-created under given or new systems of thought; or African institutionalized beliefs/practices to be re-signified in order to achieve and secure their true intent. Thus, beyond merely affirming and or criticizing expressions of African life and modes of thought, is the greater need to establish critical affirmations of the daunting task ahead for SALT.
The mission and purpose of SALT are encapsulated by the five major areas below. In its bid to serve an emergent African democratic society, by anchoring the full spectrum of social life and practices in contemporary Africa to a robust framework of wholesome critical thought, and the pursuit of truth in life, SALT shall strive to accomplish the following tasks as it serves the African academia, ecclesia and the new African community-in-society:
1. Engaging with African issues past, present and future in a multi-disciplinary context;
2. Giving focus, depth and direction to contemporary African discourses;
3. Exploring new mission frontiers in the expanding knowledge economy, which would promote integrated human flourishing on the continent;
4. Serving as a catalyst for contemporary African (Christian) communities’ critical engagement with the world;
5. Forming a Christian theological resource-base for realizing a new social ordering of society for Africa, and new social offers for African citizens.
SALT CONSULT GROUP
Under the above parameters, SALT initially will operate via a Consult Group of leading scholars and professionals, until a substantive leadership is formed alongside it. Representation on SALT Consult is open to qualified individuals, and recommendations—including self-nominations!—are welcome.
SALT Consult Group, in conference with and as directed by Hokma House, shall have the primary task of planning and participating in each SALT program. It shall also function in the capacity of advisement for future meetings, and related matters.
MAJOR AREAS OF FOCUS FOR SALT
SALT shall endeavor to probe and problematize central issues within African life and society—or, rather, explore how such issues should define and shape African experience and thought well into the future. These issues—largely educational-professional, socio-economic and religio-political in nature—invite critical investigations into their subject-matters, esp. where they truly advance the knowledge and understanding of African life and thought in new directions. One may thus explore Africans’ varied life-experiences, critically and rationally, from the standpoint of the myriad issues which frame them. SALT also seeks to develop and nurture new thinking on African life—and Africa per se—such as would foster holistic knowledge; or the integration of key areas of human life, and their engagement by the Christian faith: intellectuality, law, politics, economics, business, work, marriage, family, human sexuality, social productiveness, morality/ethics, nature and environment, tradition and culture, communication, recreation, personhood, community, art/music and civics.
SALT ‘CURRICULUM’ INTRA AND EXTRA
As part of its service to and engagement with its represented publics, SALT shall work at both the intra-mural and extra-curricular levels. Thus, its ‘programme’ for shaping a new life, identity and thought (LIT) for Africa and Africans shall be assured a good measurable progress and success via mutual exchanges which take place between SALT and its representatives, memberships, sponsors, and the prime publics being served.
SALT REPRESENTATION AND MEMBERSHIP
Representation or membership of SALT is open to bona fide Africans and non-Africans whose work relates in significant ways to African life or experience and thought in their sheer diversities and profundities; such ones shall seek to be devoted to forming a critical Christian theological resource-base for realizing Africa’s new social ordering of society. The broadest level of involvement and or participation @SALT is by representation: from individual to corporate/institution. Future areas of enlarged and select participation shall include registered membership at all levels within SALT.
FROM SALT TO SUMMIT VIA CAST FORUM
SALT and Summit: SALT shall form a major backbone and critical mass to Hokma House’s Africa Summit, which shall hold every 4-5 years (or as determined). Both conferences shall seek to foster faith’s historical transformations and critical or holistic perspectives on issues germane to Africa’s achieving full progress in the world, by addressing foundational issues of human civilization, in tandem with engendering new formations of a humane culture and society. These joint exercises form an integral part of Hokma House’s CAST (Christianity and African Society Today) Forum. Both SALT and Summit shall be guided by the Concept Proposal (© 2013) designed for this purpose by Hokma House.
@SALT: WHAT’S AHEAD AND HOW NOT TO MISS IT!
Note: Documents for the special sessions below are available on the Downloads page @ www.hokmahouse.org
1. Plenaries—Panels—Presentations by commissioned/main speakers
2. SALT Symposia
3. Call for Individual Papers and Panel Proposals: open! February-May, 2016
4, Formation of SALT Consult Group
5. Special session on review of Socio-Economic & Political (SEPol) Forum (Abuja, 2014)
6. Special session on Dot.Edu Forum: ‘Integrating Knowledge across Disciplines for Holistic Progress’
7. Special session on CAST Forum: SALT and Summit: revisiting the Concept Proposal (© 2013)
8. Future SALT Journal and Monographs/Series
9. Pre-register by 31 May (if you need an entry visa to travel or desire airport shuttle service)
10. Pre-register by 31 May (if you want to present a paper or propose a panel)
11. Pre-register by 31 May (if you want to participate in a special session: 2 max!)
12. Pre-register by 31 May (if you need help with housing—on a priority basis and as available)
13. No-penalty to register @venue—but on-campus accommodation not guaranteed!
14. Final registration at the venue is required of all attendees
15. Attending SALT is exclusive of other organized Hokma House’s conference/seminar meetings
16. All communications and transactions on SALT is by email: hokmahouse.conf.2000@gmail.com; meetings@hokmahouse.org; for official enquiries: hokmahouse@gmail.com
17. Download from www.hokmahouse.org all relevant forms and info (e.g. Registration & Participation Form, Official Guide) on SALT
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COMMENDATION
I am really excited about [this] initiative, the SALT – great acronym and noble goals to shape the future of things to come through critical engagements and intellectual discourses. The Society of African Life and Thought is not only a great idea in and of itself, but also inspirational as an acronym that is also a great metaphor, for who Christians are, and the primary calling to every believer, called to be the SALT of the earth! May the Society prosper and be truly the SALT of the earth for our societies.
Prof. Joseph Galgalo, The Vice Chancellor, St. Paul’s University, Kenya
The future must look clearer, brighter, better and closer after all of this!
Last modified: August 28, 2020