On 15
October 2019, the Institute for Social Development (ISD) organized for its
first time a National PhD Conference in Development Studies at the University
of the Western Cape (UWC).
As I am a
proud UWC postgrad student, I
was honoured to attend the 1st National PhD Conference in
Development Studies organized by my department, the Institute for Social
Development (ISD), University of the Western Cape. The Theme of the conference
was ‘Social and Demographic Transformation at a time of rising inequality’
which has been discussed on the current issues in Sub-Saharan Africa such as
migration, food security, social protection, and poverty and inequality.
The institute
further plans to facilitate and sponsor the national PhD conferences in
Development Studies every year, it also expects to grow it into international
conference.
This year, the conference has offered students to gain insights about the current research
issues being carried out by PhD scholars and other emerging researchers around
the African Continent. Moreover, the conference has also provided an opportunity for PhD
students around Southern African countries to present their work and interact
with other students and senior researchers as well as the opportunity to get
publish their work.
Many
international presenters and delegates participated in this conference and
represented their countries. A total of 80 participants including presenters,
delegates, observers and top academics from 10 different African universities
were attended the conference.
The major
themes that were discussed in the conference relate to social and demographic
changes in Sub-Saharan Africa such as:
1.
Human mobility (Migration) in
Sub-Saharan Africa.
2.
Food and Nutrition Security.
3.
Social Protection and
Livelihoods.
4.
Poverty and Inequality.
However,
the conference has been split into four different thematic sessions regarding
to the above topics. For me, Human Mobility (Migration) in Sub-Saharan
Africa was my thrilling thematic as I also chose to investigate a topic that
relates to migration for my Master’s thesis.
The topics
we emphasized on this session include, Migrant children in accessing education,
Life across borders, The experiences of young female migrants in Johannesburg,
and Navigating precarity and networking trust among refugees.
After presentations
and discussions, the panel chairs wrap-up the session. And finally closed followed
with refreshments and networking.
As a
young educated African, I aspire to participate in many more conferences happening in
our great continent, Africa.
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