Solidarity in Diversity Conference

Highlighting Marginal Voices in Academia, Practice and Society

Solidarity in Diversity: Highlighting Marginal Voices in Academia, Practice and Society is a five-day, hybrid event presented by the African Studies Group with the Melbourne Social Equity Institute. It seeks to bring together scholars, practitioners, and community members to consider the significant ways social transformations are impacting the African diaspora around the world.

The program begins on Monday 19 July with a morning masterclass organised by Associate Professor Bina Fernandez and Professor Karen Farquharson, which will be held in person at the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus. Unfortunately, this event has been POSTPONED due to the latest lockdown in Melbourne. We hope to be able to run the session in-person later in the year and will be in touch with details as soon as alternative arrangements are confirmed.

This will be followed by an afternoon online debate which considers the question, ‘Is Solidarity in Diversity a Mirage?’

There are two keynote lectures being held online. On Monday 19 July, Professor Mahmood Mamdani will present on his recently published book Neither Settler nor Native: The Making and Unmaking of Permanent Minorities (HUP, 2020). On Friday 23 July, Ms Abiola Ajetomobi, the Director of Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) Innovation Hub, will headline the Practitioner and Community section of the conference. She will speak on the critical role allies and advocates play in changing systems and policies to make society fairer.

For the masterclass, the online debate, and the two keynote lectures, please register your attendance for each individual session.

From Tuesday 20 July to Friday 23 July, there will be daily online panels. Sign up once to receive access to all of the panel sessions.

Entry is free, but a donation is encouraged for those who are able. Register soon because space is limited.

We hope you are able to join us!