The tradition of the SSA conference is to give priority in timing and prominence to papers that address the theme of the conference, but papers on all other issues relating to Sudan--past, present and future-- are also very welcome. This year we are giving more space to proposals for pre-organized panels, round tables, thematic conversations, in addition to individual papers. Abstracts of proposed papers, panels and roundtables should be submitted electronically by March 1, 2012.

The AU has called upon Member States, AU Partners and the Diaspora communities worldwide to support the Diaspora issue agenda and to facilitate the implementation of the roadmap and the Global Diaspora Summit.

The Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) in collaboration with the Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Institute of Economic Research on Innovation (IERI) and the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute (TMALI),DST, NRF, DITSONG and SIGLA at Stellenbosch will host an international conference from 25- 27 May 2012 in Pretoria at the TUT Pretoria Campus. There will be an exhibition during the day on 25 May 2012 at the DITSONG Museums followed by the Annual Thabo Mbeki Africa Day Lecture at Unisa in the evening at Pretoria Campus. The next two days will be devoted entirely to presenting scientific works to explore in depth the African Union and the way it succeeded or failed to carry out the functions it mandated itself to do.

The 2012 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the African Development Bank Group (African Development Bank and the African Development Fund) will take place in Arusha, Tanzania, at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC), from 28 May to 1 June 2012.