We invite researchers and academics to submit abstracts and research papers to be considered for the 2nd African Philanthropy Academic Conference which will take place in Dakar, Senegal on Monday 31 July to Tuesday 1 August 2023.
Important dates
- Submission closing date – Friday, 9 June 2023
- Notification of Acceptance – Friday, 23 June 2023
- Conference Registration Deadline – Friday, 7 July 2023
Context
Global events such as the war in Ukraine, slowing economies, the persistence of COVID-19, and rising nationalism continue to challenge the world order. Consequently, sectors like philanthropy have been forced to undergo a transformation challenging the established order of the ecosystem. These shifts, coupled with the myriad of issues African philanthropy is currently grappling with such as localisation, developing a south-south approach, and inward-looking (harnessing the local capacity) for resource mobilisation need a dedicated platform for deliberation. The events occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic witnessed African philanthropy responding in unprecedented ways. Technology and innovative ways of giving became ubiquitous almost overnight. However, clear disparities were also observed as some philanthropic institutions flourished while others were totally decimated and may not resurface.
Other urgent issues the sector is facing head-on include climate change, climate advocacy, climate change adaption vs climate change mitigation, governance, technology, and many other new fronts. These issues have the potential to refocus and pivot how philanthropy is practiced, lived, and experienced especially in Africa. They are simply the inflection points that will continue to shape the future of the ecosystem in Africa.
At this inflection moment, evidence is suggesting that philanthropy is gradually moving away from a relationship-driven to a value-driven system – there is a realisation for sustainability. This is changing the logic of the philanthropic field and has the potential to create an increasingly efficient social capital over time. Given the magnitude of social and environmental needs, a new way of thinking must be devised for the sector to truly realise its potential and impact. Although there has hardly been a broad consensus on efficiency and effectiveness, systematic shifts and systems thinking are likely to enable philanthropies to achieve greater impact at this inflection point.
The 2nd African Philanthropy Academic Conference will be charged with the responsibility of unpacking some of these questions and potentially devising the future for philanthropy, especially in Africa. This question and the sub-themes will be used to guide and reflect on the inflection points depicted.