CFA: 7th Biennial African Philosophy World Conference (APWC), of the African Philosophy
Aribiah Attoe
7th Biennial African Philosophy World Conference (APWC), of the African Philosophy
Society (https://africanphilosophysociety.org/)
Hosted by the Faculty of Philosophy of Saint Augustine University of Kinshasa (USAKIN), in collaboration with the Higher Catholic Pedagogical Institute (ISPC) and the University of Kisangani (UNIKIS)
Location: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Dates: Thursday 21st - Saturday 23rd October 2027
Theme:
Africa Facing the Challenges of Globalization
Now perceived as a ‘global village’, the world is engaged in a dizzying and irreversible phenomenon known as globalization, which is fundamentally characterized by the opening up of national economies to a common market, leading to interdependence between countries. This ongoing process of opening borders and increasing market integration is intensifying the global exchange of goods, services, capital, people, cultures and information. Beyond the economic liberalism typical of capitalism, globalization, which aims to create a common global space by connecting different parts of the world, tends to create cultural homogenization, thanks to new information and communication technologies, which are the driving force behind this interconnected world where dominant cultures invade and annihilate other cultural spaces. The hyper-digitalization of the world and the advent of artificial intelligence are contributing to the infusion and spread of new ideologies. The danger of globalization in the current context is its reduction in economic terms, in terms of trade. Human beings are reduced to being nothing more than Homo oeconomicus. It is the gradual spread of capitalism on a global scale, it is the
Americanization of the world: one ideology – liberalism –, one currency – the dollar –, one tool – capitalism –, one political system – democracy –, one language – English. Globalization poses a challenge that is not only cultural, but also ethical. Africa is thus exposed to the ravages of economic and cultural globalization that favors unbridled capitalist exploitation and massive cultural domination. Such ravages affect every aspect of Africa, including its intellectual spaces. How is globalization undermining the foundations of African philosophy, especially regarding African philosophy’s promotion of the identity of the African? And how can we meet these challenges?
We welcome abstracts submissions or proposals for papers that explore this theme in all its diversity. Submissions should fall within, but are not limited to, one of the following subthemes:
• Africa in the global market, capitalist extractivism and its impact on the African continent, predatory industry and African development, African cultural values in the face of globalization, new ideologies in Africa, Africa between tradition and modernity, indigenous knowledge in the face of globalization, epistemic injustice in the context of globalization, African education and ethics in the face of the current challenges of globalization, traditional medicine and modern medicine, socio-cultural changes and their implications, neo-colonialism and the new faces of domination, the ecological crisis and environmental protection in the face of increased exploitation, Artificial
Intelligence as a problematic issue in the globalization process, globalization and
women or gender or feminism or sexism in Africa, globalization and technology in Africa, globalization and the future of African languages, etc.
Guidelines for Submission
Abstract for individual paper presentation • Maximum of 300 words, in word document.
• Should contain a title, author’s name, author’s institutional affiliation, and author’s email address/telephone/fax.
Abstract for panel presentation
• Maximum of 500 words, in word document.
• Should contain a title, name of panel members, their institutional affiliations, and email addresses/telephone/fax.
All abstracts should be sent to: africanphilo...@gmail.com by December 15, 2026.
Important Dates:
• Abstract Submission Deadline: December 15, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: January 31, 2027
• Conference Registration Deadline: June 30, 2027
• Conference: October 21-23, 2027
Local Organizing Committee
• Professor Michel MAMBULAU LENGI (Vice Chancelor, Saint Augustin University, Kinshasa, DRC)
• Professor Véronique LUNDOLO KAFUTI (Vice Chancelor, Catholic Higher Pedagogical Institute, Kinshasa, DRC)
• Professor Willy OKEY MUKOLMEN (Dean, Faculty of Philosophy, Saint Augustin University, Kinshasa, DRC)
• Professor Edwin ETIEYIBO (Secretary of the African Philosophy Society, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa)
• Professor Henri GBADI FINIMONGA (University of Kisangani, Kisangani, DRC)
• Professor Jacques NGANGALA BALADE TONGAMBA (University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DRC)
African Philosophy Society (APS) Executive
• Ike Odimegwu, PhD (President of APS, and Professor of Philosophy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria)
• Edwin Etieyibo, PhD (Secretary of APS, and Professor of Philosophy, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa)
• Jonathan Chimakonam, PhD (Treasurer of APS, and Professor of Philosophy, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa)
• Mirian Ngozi Alike, PhD (Assistant Treasurer of APS, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria)
• Vitumbiko Nyirenda, PhD (Information Officer of APS, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa)
Previous APWCs
• 1st Biennial APWC — University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa (September 911, 2015): African Philosophy: Past, Present and Future.
• 2nd Biennial APWC — University of Calabar, Nigeria, (October 12-14, 2017): The State of African Philosophy in Africa Today.
• 3rd Biennial APWC — University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (October 28-30, 2019): Building Africa’s Future on African Philosophy.
• 4th Biennial APWC — Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria (October 12-14, 2021): An Exploration of Human Nature: Perspectives from African Philosophy.
• 5th Biennial APWC — Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda (September 18-20, 2023): Gender Dimensions of African Philosophy.
6th Biennial APWC — University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon (September 22-24, 2025): Decoloniality and Transcoloniality in African Philosophy.Co-recipient: John Templeton Fund, via the Global Philosophy of Religion Project Grant, University of Birmingham.
Co-editor: Conversations on African Philosophy of Mind, Consciousness and Artificial Intelligence (Springer)