Download or read book African History A Very Short Introduction written by John Parker and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2007-03-22 with total page 185 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Intended for those interested in the African continent and the diversity of human history, this work looks at Africa's past and reflects on the changing ways it has been imagined and represented. It illustrates key themes in modern thinking about Africa's history with a range of historical examples.

Download or read book Africa the Cradle of Human Diversity written by and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2021-11-22 with total page 341 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores important chapters of past and recent African history from a multidisciplinary perspective. It covers an extensive time range from the evolution of early humans to the complex cultural and genetic diversity of modern-day populations in Africa. Through a comprehensive list of chapters, the book focuses on different time-periods, geographic regions and cultural and biological aspects of human diversity across the continent. Each chapter summarises current knowledge with perspectives from a varied set of international researchers from diverse areas of expertise. The book provides a valuable resource for scholars interested in evolutionary history and human diversity in Africa. Contributors are Shaun Aron, Ananyo Choudhury, Bernard Clist, Cesar Fortes-Lima, Rosa Fregel, Jackson S. Kimambo, Faye Lander , Marlize Lombard, Fidelis T. Masao, Ezekia Mtetwa, Gilbert Pwiti, Michèle Ramsay, Thembi Russell, Carina Schlebusch, Dhriti Sengupta, Plan Shenjere-Nyabezi, Mário Vicente.

Download or read book Reimagining Christianity and Sexual Diversity in Africa written by Adriaan van Klinken and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2021-12-01 with total page 201 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Religion is often seen as a conservative force in contemporary Africa. In particular, Christian beliefs and actors are usually depicted as driving the opposition to homosexuality and LGBTI rights in African societies. This book nuances that picture, by drawing attention to discourses emerging in Africa itself that engage with religion, specifically Christianity, in progressive and innovative ways--in support of sexual diversity and the quest for justice for LGBTI people. The authors show not only that African Christian traditions harbor strong potential for countering conservative anti-LGBTI dynamics; but also that this potential has already begun to be realized, by various thinkers, activists and movements across the continent. Their ten case studies document how leading African writers are reimagining Christian thought; how several Christian-inspired groups are transforming religious practice; and how African cultural production creatively appropriates Christian beliefs and symbols. In short, the book explores Christianity as a major resource for a liberating imagination and politics of sexuality and social justice in Africa today. Foregrounding African agency and progressive religious thought, this highly original intervention counterbalances our knowledge of secular approaches to LGBTI rights in Africa, and powerfully decolonizes queer theory, theology and politics.

Download or read book Ethnic Diversity in Eastern Africa written by Kimani Njogu and published by African Books Collective. This book was released on 2010 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A prologue to ethnic diversity in Eastern Africa /Kimani Njogu --Ethnic pluralism and national governance in Africa : a survey /Michael Chege --What do we share? : from the local to the global, and back again /Mineke Schipper --Production of ethnic identity in Kenya /Karega-Munene --Links between African proverbs and sayings and ethnic diversity /Joseph G. Healey --(Over)riding the rainbow : ethnic diversity and the Kenyan creative economy /Joy Mboya --Leveraging Africa's diversity for an improved image and branding /Mary W. Kimonye --Ethnic diversity, democratization, and nation-building in Ghana /Kenneth Agyemong Attafuah --Ethnic diversity in East Africa : the Tanzanian case and the role of Kiswahili language as a unifying factor /Huruma Luhovilo Sigalla --Critical reflections on the challenges and prospects of ethnic diversity management in democratization /Eric Aseka --Media and national identity : should national media be relegated to the backseat? /Nassanga Goretti Linda --Ethnic diversity background and issues : the case of Rwanda /James Vuningoma --The challenges of ethnicity, multiparty democracy and state building in multiethnic states in Africa : experiences from Kenya /Paul N. Mbatia, Kennedy Bikuri & Peter Nderitu --A political economy of land reform in Kenya : the limits and possibilities of resolving persistent ethnic conflicts /Nicholas O. Odoyo --Epilogue -- emerging issues in managing the challenges and opportunities of ethnic diversity in East Africa : is good governance the destiny? /Ngeta Kabiri.

Download or read book Sexual Diversity in Africa written by S.N. Nyeck and published by McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. This book was released on 2013-10-01 with total page 313 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How does one address homophobia without threatening majority rule democracy and freedoms of speech and faith? How does one "Africanize" sexuality research, empirically and theoretically, in an environment that is not necessarily welcoming to African scholars? In Sexual Diversity in Africa, contributors critically engage with current debates about sexuality and gender identity, as well as with contentious issues relating to methodology, epistemology, ethics, and pedagogy. They present a tapestry of issues that testify to the complex nature of sexuality, sexual practices, and gender performance in Africa. Essays examine topics such as the well-established same-sex networks in Accra and Bamako, African "traditions" defined by European observers, and the bizarre mix of faith, pharmaceuticals, and pseudo-science used to "cure" homosexual men. Their evidence also demonstrates the indefensibility of over-simplified constructions of homosexuality versus heterosexuality, modern versus traditional, Africa versus the West, and progress from the African closet towards Western models of out politics, all of which have tainted research on same-sex practices and scientific studies of HIV/AIDS. Asserting that the study of sexuality is intellectually and politically sustainable in Africa, Sexual Diversity in Africa contributes to the theorization of sexualities by presenting a more sensitive and knowledgeable study of African experiences and perspectives. Contributors include Olajide Akanji, Christophe Broqua, Cheryl Cooky, Serena Owusua Dankwa, Shari L. Dworkin, Marc Epprecht, Melissa Hackman, Notisha Massaquoi, Crystal Munthree, Kathleen O’Mara, Stella Nyanzi, S.N.Nyeck, Vasu Reddy, Amanda Lock Swarr, and Lisa Wiebesiek.

Download or read book Africa written by Tony Binns and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 1. Africa: continuity and change 2. Africa's peoples 3. African environments 4. Rural Africa 5. Urban Africa 6. Health 7. Conflict and post-conflict Africa 8. African Economies 9. Developing Africa 10. What future for Africa?

Download or read book Media Diversity in South Africa written by Julie Reid and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2021-12-30 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This timely book argues that the Global North’s research methods and traditional assumptions are not valid to the media landscapes and audiences of the Global South. With South Africa as the focus, the authors offer a new understanding of media diversity along an audience-centred approach. Disappointingly, research shows that most South African citizens (most of whom are economically marginalised) are found to experience extremely low levels of media content diversity in their personal media diets. The contributing factors are inter-related and complex, but include the inequitable distribution of media content, a lack of African language media, and most especially, the cost of media access which is unaffordable to many. In this book, the authors examine what went wrong with post-apartheid attempts to democratise the media landscape, and why the experienced levels of media diversity by the majority South African audience remain so woefully low. While media diversity is usually measured by policymakers, sector stakeholders or by market-related imperatives, this book foregrounds the perspective of the media consumer. In doing so, traditional media measuring is inverted – leading to a more in-depth understanding of how ordinary people in the Global South receive media content, how much, and why. The authors offer a holistic analysis of the ineffectuality of key media policymaking processes, projects and institutions – while also suggesting how these could be transformed to create a more diverse and broadly accessible media landscape.

Download or read book Journey of Diversity Inclusion In South Africa written by Nene Molefi and published by eBook Partnership. This book was released on 2017-09-01 with total page 141 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The ideas and experiences shared by author Nene Molefi speak directly to the troubling prejudices and inequities that persist in our world. Diversity and inclusion are more pressing than ever. Injustices and deep social divisions persist, personally and systemically. Racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of fear and hatred are not isolated. They remain embedded and they demand courageous, deliberate work. In this book, Nene uses her own story to cast a bright light on the transformation journey. Nene's book quite vulnerably takes the reader on Nene's personal journey. In addition to the deeply personal content, each chapter ends with practical guidelines on how to lead inclusively. Nene's book offers hope and substance in our vision of a diverse and inclusive and just society.' A-Justice Edwin Cameron 'This is a deeply authentic personal narrative offering powerful and practical insights, from one of South Africa's foremost advisors on diversity and transformation. It should be required reading for any leader who is serious about effectively transforming their organisation.' A-Dr Jonathan Broomberg, CEO, Discovery Health 'A Journey of Diversity & Inclusion in South Africa will enable all of us to meaningfully interpret and articulate our own biases, narratives and the contributions we can make to heal our fractured nation.' A-Prof Nicola Kleyn, Dean, University of Pretoria's Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) 'It is no longer good enough to say diversity is an asset. Leaders are expected to lead the way of inclusion, live the values and thereby define the DNA of their organisation.' A-Bongani Nqwababa, Joint President & CEO, Sasol Limited 'Mind-opening for those yet to be convinced of the need for transformation, and helpful to those who are already committed to transformation but are not sure how to play a part. This book will empower willing transformers!' A- Thulani Sibeko, Executive for Marketing, Communications and Corporate Affairs, Nedbank 'Nene Molefi offers a personal and professional model that will benefit anyone who wants to make a difference in this world.' A-Julie O'Mara, President, Centre for Global Inclusion, Co-author Global Diversity & Inclusion Benchmarks, Former National President, Association for Talent Development

Download or read book African Agency in International Politics written by William Brown and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2013-03-20 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book analyses the rapidly increasing role of African states, leaders and other political actors in international politics in the 21st Century. In contrast to the conventional approach of studying how external actors impacted on Africa’s international relations, this book seeks to open up a new approach, focusing on the impact of African political actors on international politics. It does this by analysing African agency – the degree to which African political actors have room to manoeuvre within the international system and exert influence internationally, and the uses they make of that room for manoeuvre. Bringing together leading scholars from Africa and Europe to explore the role and conception of African Agency, this book addresses a wide range of issues, from relations with western and non-western donors, Africa’s role in the UN and World Trade Organisation, negotiations over climate change, trade agreements with the European Union, regional diplomatic strategies, the character and extent of African state agency, and agency within corporate social responsibility initiatives. African Agency in International Politics will be of interest to scholars and students of Africa’s international relations, African politics, development, geography, diplomacy, trade, the environment, political science and security studies.

Download or read book Ethnic Diversity and Economic Instability in Africa written by Hiroyuki Hino and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2012-07-19 with total page 355 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A challenge to the conventional idea that ethnic diversity is an important cause of Africa's poor economic performance.

Download or read book Taking Ethno Cultural Diversity Seriously in Constitutional Design written by Solomon A. Dersso and published by Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. This book was released on 2012-11-08 with total page 279 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Despite decades of nation-building exercise, ethnic-based claims for substantive equality, justice and equitable political inclusion and socio-economic order continue to result in communal rivalries. These are claims that define and represent the issue of minorities in Africa, of which these conflicts are manifestations. Although ethnic conflicts in Africa have been a subject of a large number of studies, the potential and role of norms on minority rights to address claims that ethno-cultural groups raise has not received the attention it deserves. Based on materials from normative political theory and international human rights law and using an empirical and prescriptive analysis, this book defends a robust system of minority rights built around culture, equality and self-determination. This is employed to elaborate an adequate constitutional design providing policy frameworks (multilingual language policy, recognition and affirmation of cultural diversity,), structures (that ensure just representation and participation of members of all groups) and norms (that guarantee substantive equality and the rights to language, religion and culture). The study then proffers two cases studies (South Africa and Ethiopia) to ascertain how such constitutional design might be translated into actual policy frameworks, institutions and norms.

Download or read book Identity Diversity and Constitutionalism in Africa written by Francis Mading Deng and published by US Institute of Peace Press. This book was released on 2008 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this innovative and stimulating volume, Francis Deng outlines a new relationship between governments and societies--a relationship informed by Western concepts but based on traditional African values such as respect for human dignity, equality, and self-rule.

Download or read book Conflict Resolution in Africa written by Francis M. Deng and published by Brookings Institution Press. This book was released on 2011-07-01 with total page 441 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: While dramatic changes are taking place on the international scene and among the major powers, Africa continues to suffer from a multitude of violent conflicts. The toll of these conflicts is monumental in terms of war damage to productivity, scarce resources diverted to armaments and military organizations, and the resulting insecurity, displacement, and destruction. At the same time, Africans, in response to internal demands as well as to international changes, have begun to focus their attention and energies on these problems and are trying innovative ways to resolve differences by nonviolent means. The outcomes of these attempts have urgent and complex implications for the future of the continent with respect to human rights, principles of democracy, and economic development. In this book, African, European, and U.S. experts examine these important issues and the prospects for conflict management and resolution in Africa. They review the scholarship in resolution in light of international changes now taking place. Addressing the undying, internal causes of conflict, they question whether global events will promote peace or threaten to unleash even more conflict. The authors focus their analysis on the issues involved in African conflicts and examine the areas in need of the most dramatic changes. They offer specific recommendations for dealing with current problems, but caution that unless policymakers confront the security situation in Africa, further destruction to national unity and political and economic stability is imminent. Case studies and themes for further, long-term research are recommended.

Download or read book Ethnic Diversity and Federalism written by Yonatan Tesfaye Fessha and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2016-05-23 with total page 311 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How federalism can be used to provide recognition and accommodate ethnic groups is an important topic, not only in Africa, but in multi-ethnic communities around the world. Examining how institutions of multi-ethnic states have been designed to accommodate ethnic diversity while at the same time maintaining national unity, this book locates institutional responses to the challenges of ethnic diversity within the context of a federal arrangement. It examines how a federal arrangement has been used to reconcile the conflicting pressures of the demand for the recognition of distinctive identities, on the one hand, and the promotion of political and territorial integrity, on the other. Comparative case studies of South Africa and Ethiopia as the two federal systems provide a contrasting approach to issues of ethnic diversity. Suggesting new ways in which federalism might work, the author identifies key institutions lessons which will help to build an all-inclusive society.

Download or read book Africa Is Not a Country written by Margy Burns Knight and published by First Avenue Editions. This book was released on 2002-01-01 with total page 48 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Demonstrates the diversity of the African continent by describing daily life in some of its fifty-three nations.

Download or read book 12 Lenses Into Diversity in South Africa written by Preeya Daya and published by KR Publishing. This book was released on 2021-02-12 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Drawing on the insights of numerous academic leaders, 12 Lenses into Diversity in South Africa will help you facilitate constructive and open discussions around important issues, such as: - The narratives of racism in South Africa. - Critical reflections on privilege and complicity in South Africa. - Employment equity legislation: A review of progress between 1999 and 2020. - Gender identity and transformation in South Africa: Past, present and future. - Gender inequality at work. - Responding to gender-based violence in South Africa: Lessons from higher education. - Diversity in the workplace through a generational lens. - Inclusive solutions to mental health challenges: Creative resistance from the margins. - Ubuntu ethics and human rights: Implications for rehabilitation practices in indigenous African families of persons with disabilities (PWDs). - Religious diversity and social cohesion: The importance of mediated inter-group contact in the workplace in South Africa.

Download or read book Linguistic Diversity written by Lecturer in Biological Psychology Daniel Nettle, Ph.D. and published by Oxford University Press on Demand. This book was released on 1999 with total page 168 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There are some 6,500 different languages in the world, belonging to around 250 distinct families and conforming to numerous grammatical types. This book explains why. Given that the biological mechanisms underlying language are the same in all normal human beings, would we not be a moresuccessful species if we spoke one language? Daniel Nettle considers how this extraordinary and rich diversity arose, how it relates to the nature of language, cognition, and culture, and how it is linked with the main patterns of human geography and history. Human languages and language families are not distributed evenly: there are relatively few in Eurasia compared to the profusion found in Australasia, the Pacific, and the Americas. There is also a marked correlation between biodiversity and linguistic diversity. The author explains the processesby which this distribution evolved and changes still. To do so he returns to the earliest origins of language, reconstructing the processes of linguistic variation and diffusion that occurred when humans first filled the continents and, thousands of years later, turned to agriculture. He ends byexamining the causes of linguistic mortality, and why the number of the world's languages may halve before 2100. Linguistic Diversity draws on work in anthropology, linguistics, geography, archaeology, and evolutionary science to provide a comprehensive account of the patterns of linguistic diversity. It is written in a clear, lively and accessible style, and will appeal broadly across the natural and humansciences, as well as to the informed general reader.