Kwantlen Polytechnic University hosted the Kwame Nkrumah International Conference from August 19-21 and attracted 150 participants and over 30 scholars from Africa, Australia, the U.S.A., the U.K. and Canada. Presenters and attendees were deeply engaged as they exchanged stimulating ideas and shared lively discussions about the philosophies and ideals of Kwame Nkrumah and the state of Africa.
Kwantlen students Nasim Mosallaei and Sheila Wong who helped with the coordination of the conference felt inspired and enlightened after participating in the event.
Mosallaei commented, “I felt privileged to be able to listen to some of the many discussions regarding the legacy of Dr. Nkrumah and the current state of the continent of Africa. In the end I met a lot of influential people with a lot of ideas on Africa and I walked away from the conference having learned a great deal more about Kwame Nkrumah.”
Wong added, “I was touched by everyone’s genuine concern for Africa’s conditions and their interest in the continuation of Nkrumah’s philosophies and ideals. No doubt, the Kwame Nkrumah International Conference has inspired many new ideas, thoughts, and renewed hope for everyone involved.”
The conference celebrated the centennial of Nkrumah’s birthday as international panelists gathered to discuss his impact on African and world politics, pan-Africanism, colonialism and post-colonialism, globalization, and the African Diaspora. Keynote addresses were given by Dr. Molefi K. Asante, one of the world’s most published contemporary experts on African-American history and culture, Dr. Gillian Creese, professor of sociology at University of British Columbia and researcher of immigration and settlement in Canada, and a number of other respected scholars who revisited and discussed Nkrumah’s outstanding accomplishments.
Reflecting on the success of the conference, event organizer and Kwantlen sociology faculty member Dr. Charles Quist-Adade remarked, “For three days, Kwantlen was treated to an intellectually stimulating exchange of ideas by scholars from diverse disciplines and from different parts of the world. Many of the delegates paid glowing tribute to Kwantlen for hosting the conference and are eagerly awaiting the second Kwame Nkrumah International Conference.”
Nkrumah led Ghana to independence on March 6, 1957 after more than a century of British colonial rule, the first in independence in sub-Saharan Africa. He is regarded as one of Africa’s greatest statesmen. BBC listeners in Africa voted him Africa’s Man of the Millennium in1999, and in 1978 the United Nations awarded Nkrumah a posthumous gold medal during a session of the UN committee against the racist regime in South Africa.
Kwantlen was proud to host the conference, as part of its commitment to bring a global perspective to issues of relevance to our diverse local communities.
As a leader in innovative and interdisciplinary education, Kwantlen Polytechnic University offers all learners, regardless of background and preparation, opportunities to achieve the highest standards of academic performance. For more information, visit: kwantlen.ca
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