SOAS Centre for Pan-African Studies hosts landmark workshop in Addis Ababa
From January 8 to 10, 2025, the SOAS Centre for Pan-African Studies convened a landmark workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, bringing together over 30 academics from across Africa, Europe, and North America.
Under the theme "Pan-Africanism in the Contemporary World: Policy, Politics, and Practice," the workshop critically engaged with the relevance of Pan-Africanism in addressing today’s pressing global and regional challenges.
The workshop examined Pan-Africanism through a series of panels, addressing Africa’s domestic politics, its role in global geopolitical engagement, and the historical and ideological dimensions of national struggles and regional integration.
Discussions also focused on diasporic Pan-Africanism, reimagining identity, return, and transnational solidarity; the transformative potential of grassroots activism; and the intersection of political economy with resistance, feminist perspectives, pathways to equity, and the decolonization of knowledge and culture.
Participants also engaged with the historical significance of Pan-Africanism by visiting Africa Hall, where the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was founded in 1963, and the Adwa Museum. These visits provided a tangible connection to the historical and ideological legacies underpinning contemporary debates.
The workshop generated critical and animated discussions, framing Pan-Africanism as a living and evolving framework. It interrogated its capacity to address the complexities, contradictions, and inconsistencies of contemporary African and global realities while critically re-examining its ideological and historical foundations.
Dr Daniel Mulugeta, Director of CPAS emphasised the significance of the event: ‘This workshop has redefined how we engage with Pan-Africanism, moving beyond its historical confines to address the complexities of today’s interconnected world. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and dialogue.’
Professor Tim Murthi, advisory board member of CPAS noted: ‘The workshop convened leading thinkers from across Africa, Europe and the Americas, echoing the tradition of the series of Pan-African Congress meetings, and created a platform for the revival of Pan-Africanism as an intellectual tradition and a people-driven movement.’
