ISRAEL AND AFRICAN RELATIONS: LESSONS, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

THE ASSOCIATION FOR ISRAELI CULTURAL STUDIES

IN COLLOBORATION WITH POPULATION, ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH GROUP, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA

ANNOUNCE AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ISRAEL AND AFRICAN RELATIONS: LESSONS, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES.

Introduction

God endowed Israel with its specific responsibility to shine as a light unto the nations. It is time perhaps for Israel to turn on the lights in Africa. MARCEL PRUWER. Jerusalem Post June 27, 2017 20:15

Israel is a small country but also one that is extremely rich in history and culture. The country is important to the modern world because its story inspires many. The story of Israel dominates the Scripture which shows it is a big subject for God and therefore should be a big subject for humanity. Moreover, it is globally recognized that Israel has achieved remarkable development in many areas of human endeavor including agriculture and rural development, warfare, security, politics and conflict management, science, technology and innovation (STI), environmental management, education, industrialization and urbanization. Ironically, it is a known fact that many people globally including academics know little about Israel despite her religious, historical, geographical and development importance to other nations of the world. As a result, it has been observed that a great thirst for knowledge about Israel and her society exists.

The contributions of Israel to world development in general and Africa in particular have been remarkable. For instance, in the sphere of water and sanitation, Israel has contributed much in combating water scarcity on a global scale through a series of revolutionary technologies such as water desalination and drip irrigation. Consequently, Israel has been ranked as a world leader in water conservation. Commendably, the country has continued to share its expertise with countries struggling with water shortages. Similarly, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV) has trained thousands of scientists and farmers in developing countries such as Nigeria, Swaziland, India, Ghana, and Columbia in water purification methods, helping the UN reach its goal “to ensure access to water and sanitation for all.

On the issue of innovation and infrastructure, Israel continues to use its expertise in science and technology to find solutions to a series of global challenges.  Also from security to health, to transportation, Israeli startups have not only significantly bolstered Israel’s economy, but continue to improve the quality of life for millions around the world.

Against this background it will be of historical relevance to highlight and expatiate on the economic, cultural, political and general relations between Israel and Africa in particular the world in general. Today, many Israeli firms are successfully operating in Africa in different areas such as construction, infrastructure, high-tech and agriculture. Equally, many African companies are engaged in various commercial, strategic and cultural relations in Israeli.

At this point, it is pertinent to interrogate, to the extent to which these benefits of Israeli-African relations and various support programmes are known to Africa and appreciated by the people, governments and academics. The Conference therefore seeks to create a multi-disciplinary forum for the discussion of the relationships between Israel and African countries. The conference will no doubt bring together eminent stakeholders to discuss lessons, opportunities and challenges in the relationships between Israel and Africa countries.

Conference Call for Abstracts

This is an open call for participants and for abstracts for oral presentations. An abstract of not more than 300 words in Microsoft should be sent via email to taics2006@gmail.com. Submissions should include name, title, email address, academic position and affiliation. All proposals will be read by the Conference Board and successful authors will be allotted 15 minutes to present their papers, followed by five minutes for questions. Researchers, lecturers, practitioners and postgraduate students are all encouraged to submit abstract.

SUB THEMES                                                                                    

• Innovations in Agriculture
• Climate change adaptation and resilience building
• Commence and industry
• Conflicts and crisis  management
• Electoral process
• Energy and power
• Environmental  protection, management and sustainability
• Population and Gender issues
• Governance
• Housing and Urban development
• International relation
• Law and order
• Management of religious plurality and culture
• Public Administration
• Public health
• Security  Management
• Social protection
• Tourism development
• Water resource management

 Expected Special Guest of Honours

• The Executive Governor of Enugu State
• Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs –Guest speaker       

Expected Speakers

• The Israeli Ambassador – Keynote speaker
• Chairman, Nigeria Israeli Chamber of Commerce-     invited  Speaker
• Chairman, the Association for Israeli Cultural Studies  invited Speaker -
• Director, Yitzhak Rabin International School-  invited Speaker
• Rev Msgr Obiora Ike - invited Speaker

Abstract submission Deadline: November 30th 2019

Conference fee

Early bird (on or before 18^th December 2019) -N15, 000.00 for Nigerian participants and $100 for foreign participants.19^th December up ward – N20, 000 and $150 respectively. Payment should be made into any branch of Zenith Bank PLC. Account number 6115300257 in favour of "The Association for Israeli Cultural Studies as soon as their abstracts are accepted. Foreign participants should use the swift code ZEIBNGLA for payment.  The amount covers writing Materials, Conference Bags, Tea/Coffee Break and Certificate of Participation.

Accommodation

Special arrangements will be made with hotels within and around the University for Rooms at special conference rates.

Dates:   February 6^th -7^th 2019

Venue: Princess Alexandra Auditorium, University of Nigeria Nsukka

For further information on submitting an abstract, registration, conference themes, and sessions,  contact taics2006@gmail.com or Call Prof Ignatius A. Madu (08037321468), Christopher U. Eze (08132974076), or Dr. George C. Nche (08063732241). If you are calling from outside Nigeria, the country code is +234