BAYMAU22 - Report

Report by: Numaira Hamid Khan

?The Model African Union Bayreuth, Hybrid Conference successfully took place from 5-9 October 2022 under the theme Africa and the Diaspora. Rethinking the role of Africans and Afrodescents for the mother continent. The objective was to focus on “Bridging African Worlds” through insightful discussions on the African continent from a historical perspective and how that history has shaped the world. The topics covered knowledge, arts and technology that connect Africa with the globe. Participants brought forward the role and status of the African Diaspora in the contemporary world. From the meaningful contribution by African Diaspora to the challenges and realities in different regions of the globe were highlighted. One of the significant aspects on economic, social, and political level was to (re)think the role of the African and Diasporas and their responsibility towards Africa.

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Three committees raised pertinent topics for an engaging discussion, debate, conflict solutions and future perspectives.?

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The Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) Committee focused primarily on various focal points at the regional or continental level, for instance, Social Affairs & Health, Trade & Industry, Peace and Security and Diaspora. The two following were the topics:

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A) The fight for the restitution of art: possibilities of intervention from the perspective of the African diaspora.

B) The sixth region of Africa: how to (re-)integrate heritage through citizenship.

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The second committee was the Specialised Technical Committee, (STCs) also known as thematic committees. The STC focus on Migration, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) functions include strengthening mechanisms for effective humanitarian response. This second committee adressed the two following topics:

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A) Intersectionalities in times of war: The case of African refugees in the Russia-Ukraine war

B) The scope and challenges of the African Union passport: Economic, social, and political (underpinning) aspects for intercontinental movement

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The third committee, the Specialized Technical Committee on Education, Science and Technology worked on African Strategy for Education, Technical and Vocational Training. The said committee dealt with the two topics below:

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A) Towards a democracy of knowledge: Decolonizing African education systems and establishing pan-African knowledge platforms with the support of the diaspora.

B) Innovations from Africa: Circulating African-sourced knowledge around the globe.

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Apart from the committees, the two successful Panel discussions focused on the following themes:

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1st) Engagement of the African Diaspora with the mother continent: Reflections on the “Black tax” and Ubuntu.

Nia Black Amuzie Omar H. Ali Salua Nour

One of the conference‘s goals entailed questioning the African Diasporas’ social, political, and economic responsibilities towards their continent of origin. During this panel discussion, the panelists discussed the Ubuntu concept and the “Black Tax” as one of its manifestations. They focused on the "Black Tax" as a manifestation of the Ubuntu ideal and as a way for the African diaspora to "carry" the mother continent. They mainly addressed the workings, role, and implications of the "Black Tax" for the Diaspora and the African continent.

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2nd) One united sixth region of Africa? Reflections on the Plurality of the African Diaspora and the sense of identity and belonging.

Pedro Affonso Ivo Franco Rapha?lle E. Laetitia Owendet

As the African Union sees the African diasporas as the sixth region of the continent, this panel discussion addressed questions such as: How does the African Diaspora define its relationship to Africa, its "home" continent? What could be the basis for the idea of a united African Diaspora as formulated in the African Union texts? In this panel, the guest speakers addressed these question by looking at the African Diaspora's different historical and spatiotemporal trajectories.

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The Moderator, Panelists and participants brought up pertinent questions and issues to be discussed and answered.

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The four (Hybrid) Workshop slots covered

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Slot 1:

· ? ? ? African Diaspora woman and emancipation of her sister back in Africa: Class, social stereotypes, and economic dynamics at play. - Catheline Bosibori

·? ? Placing the Diaspora in African Development: an uneasy relationship? - Prof. Dr. Stefan Ouma

·? ? A post-diaspora constellation? Development aid between bio- and necro politics. - Jeannot Ekobe (moved to Slot 4)

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Slot 2:

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·? ? Communication experiences across spaces: diaspora socialization and intercultural relations - Edidiong Ibanga

·? ? Leveraging African Diaspora for the Africa We Want - Abiud Bosire (cancelled!)

·? ? Amefricanidade: The ancestral reconnection through feminist Afro-Latinity in Brazil - Dr. Camila Andrade (Instagram: camilaafrika)

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Slot 3:??

·? ? MAUART SPACE22 invisible BLACK BODIES IN BAYREUTH - Mduduzi Khumalo (Instagram: @blackdefinitionmatters)

· ? ? ? Beginner Workshop – Simulation of a Pan-African Parliament – European Parliament meeting to enhance partnership - Dalanda Moukala

· ? ? ? How the young generation can change the narrative for Africa - Helder Afonso

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Slot 4:

·? ? Exploring identity from the perspective of the African Diaspora - Chengetai Choto

·? ? Maracatu Dancing Workshop: Mestre Juninho Quebradeira/Sergio Pedro Da Silva

·? ? Afro-diasporic representations in four documentaries - Israel Valente

·? ? A post-diaspora constellation? Development aid between bio- and necro politics. - Jeannot Ekobe (moved to Slot 4)

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The various Departments of MAU played vital roles in making the conference engaging and successful. These departments included the Chairperson, the conference’s secretariat composed by all departments in charge of the conference’ organization (Admissions, Culture, Finance, Logistics & IT, PR and TWC). Every member associated with their concerned department played their part in making the event a platform to learn from each other, exchange thoughts and deepen their knowledge about Africa and its diaspora. The trust and faith of the Cluster of Excellence Africa Multiple and Brot für Die Welt made the event remarkable.

In addition to the informative and significant Committee sessions, panel discussions and workshops, MAU members engaged their guests, participants and everyone who came to experience the conference in recreational activities. It included refreshments during coffee breaks, lunches, and dinners. The Gala Night and the party during the conference were attractions for all the academic professionals, participants, guests, students, and people from diverse backgrounds who graced the conference with their presence and participation.

Rewatch the conference here:

Reel: ·? ? A post-diaspora constellation? Development aid between bio- and necro politics. - Jeannot Ekobe (moved to Slot 4)

Opening Ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uon8CtEYxd4

Panel Discussion 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZup4zo2XmY

Closing Ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMaYxlsj0WI