The GhIIA.org participates in the 11th Annual Interdisciplinary AAAD Conference
Shares lessons on Global Partnerships in the Age of Virtual Educating and Living
Accra, February 19, 2021, The Institute of International Affairs, Ghana, a leading Ghanaian Think Tank has won plaudits at the James Madison University’s 11th Interdisciplinary AAAD conference for its innovative idea to investigate how Social media is serving as a bridge between African American Diasporas and the African homeland.
The institute participated in James Madison University’s 11th Annual Interdisciplinary AAAD Conference, which was held from February 17–20, 2021, on the theme “Movements, Collectives, and Collectivity.” This conference was held virtually and included a group of scholars and archivists from a wide variety of overlapping and intersecting fields connected to Africana studies.
The GhIIA team, represented by Mr. Cherk Klutse, Head of Programs and Outreach, and Mr. Charles Ansre, Head of Research, delivered a presentation on the topic of global partnerships in the age of virtual educating and living, a view from Accra. The panel was moderated by Dr. Melinda Adams and other members on the panel included Swabra Abdallah, a representative from the United States International University-Africa, Kenya, and Taryn Roberts, a representative of the James Madison University, USA.
The thrust of the GhIIA’s presentation was to highlight how the institute had responded to the shocks of Covid 19 by accelerating the use of technology in structuring global partnerships. This included offering virtual internships and executing in-person events virtually.
The high-point of the presentation however was the institute’s findings on their investigations on how social media is serving as a bridge between Africa and the diaspora. Mr. Charles Ansre, Head of Research at GhIIA.org, speaking on this said “Our initial investigations point out that cultural exchanges are being accentuated at a faster pace than ever before due to the influence of social media. In the past, it would have taken a number of years for a cultural trend in African to transfer to the diaspora in the U.S; we now see that in a matter of days or weeks. Music starts on the continent are finding greater traction amongst the diaspora and indeed we are seeing social media as the bridge.
Mr. Cherk Klutse, Head of Programs and Outreach at the GhIIA.org, in support of this presentation also noted that “It is indeed these insights that drove the Institute’s focus on aggressively exploring global partnerships based on new technology and virtual platforms”. He asserted in his closing remarks that, “Post-covid, the virtual platforms that have been developed will not go away but will be fused into a merged experience where some interactions will be virtual and others in-person.”
In her comments on the conference, Taryn Roberts, Director at James Madison University, noted that “The JMU values its partnerships with institutions in Ghana including the Kufuor Foundation and the Institute of International Affairs, Ghana (GhIIA.org), and looks forward to further developing these strong ties using virtual platforms.
She went further to highlight the Summer Abroad program saying that; “the JMU has an award-winning Summer Abroad Program which has been in existence for the last 20 years in Ghana under the leadership of Prof. Owusu Ansah, a well-known Ghanaian academic and historian who is on the faculty to JMU.
The discussion ended on a high note with the GhIIA.org offering to the JMU to host the next AAAD conference in Accra, Ghana.
For more information on the 11th Annual Interdisciplinary AAAD Conference, please visit www. https://www.jmu.edu/africana/aaad-conference.shtml
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About GhIIA.org
The GhIIA.org is an Accra-based, independent non-partisan think tank, with a core focus on Ghanaian and ECOWAS International Relations analysis. Its core thematic areas of research
include International Trade and Economics, Foreign Policy and Diplomatic Practice, Diaspora Affairs, Strategic Studies.
Media Contact:
Cherk Klutse
Cklutse@ghiia.org
Head | Programs & Outreach
Office: +233 55 245 1958
Mobile: +233 54 919 6444
8th Ashong Lomotey Street, La, Accra, Ghana.
About the AAAD conference
The African, African American & Diaspora Studies (AAAD) conference is an initiative of the James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The conference is held every February, and hosts scholars from across the world and from across the disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, STEM, the arts, and business, as well as artists, activists, and independent scholars at its Annual African, African American, and Diaspora Studies Interdisciplinary Conference. The conference is a charged space for cross- and inter-disciplinary research exchange, debates, and networking.
Media Contact:
Dr. Melinda Adams
adams2mj@jmu.edu
Associate Dean, College of Arts and Letters
OFFICE: 1108 Harrison Hall
PHONE: (540) 568–3377
FAX: (540) 568–3330
MAILING ADDRESS:
College of Arts and Letters
James Madison University
54 Bluestone Drive, MSC 2105
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
