SHARJAH, 30th January, 2025 (WAM) -- Over 40 scholars from across the humanities and social sciences gathered at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University (GSU) in Sharjah for the sixth international conference, “Congolese Horizons: Weaving Temporalities in Congo Studies.”
Taking place until 31st January, the event explores how temporality—both as a concept and lived experience—shapes Congolese history, culture, and society.
In collaboration with the Congo Research Network (CRN), the conference brings together leading experts to investigate the complex ways time intersects with the past, present, and future of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The conference opens with remarks from Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, President of Global Studies University, saying, “The conference theme explores temporality through an interdisciplinary lens, and interrogates the ways in which it is historically, culturally, and politically understood and experienced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond.”
Professor Salah M. Hassan, Chancellor of Global Studies University and Dean of the Africa Institute, said, “This conference aims to provide a unique space for interdisciplinary and transnational dialogues, engaging with topics ranging from historical memory and ecological entanglements to technological innovation and the politics of aspiration.”
The conference features nine thematic panels that address a broad array of topics, including colonialism’s lasting legacies, ecological change, and the intersection of religion and spirituality in Congolese life. It also examines the shifting labour and social identities in the DRC, shedding light on the transformation of communities affected by mining and colonial histories.
“By weaving together multiple dimensions of temporal experience, this conference provides an opportunity to rethink global issues through the lens of Congo’s unique temporal landscapes,” said Emery Kalema, conference convenor and Assistant Professor of History at The Africa Institute, GSU. “We are not merely reflecting on the past but engaging with the intricate temporalities that shape the present and future of the Congo.”
The “Congolese Horizons” conference successfully creates a space for meaningful exchange on the temporal dimensions of Congolese experiences, while fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse and complex histories, cultures, and identities that shape the DRC today.