In recent years, China has been playing increasingly active roles in Africa. The Chinese claim that they are dedicated to the economic development and social welfare of the countries where they are working, but some critics assert that they are behaving very much in the manner of Europeans and Americans, who too often have exploited the human and material resources of Africa to their own benefit and with little positive impact on Africa. This symposium examined the Chinese record in sub-Saharan Africa in comparison with those of European countries and the United States.

Program

A full program with a summary of each presentation and biographical details of each speaker is available here. The Symposium poster is available here.

9:00 Registration and Welcoming Remarks

9:30 - 12:00 African Perspectives

Understanding China's Embrace of Africa in a Broader Historical Perspective
Howard W. French, Professor, Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University

In the Shadow of China: African Development Prospects in the 21st Century
Fantu Cheru, Senior Researcher, African Studies Centre, Leiden University and Associate Senior Fellow, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

The Changing Dynamics of Chinese Oil and Gas Engagements in Africa
Cyril Obi, Program Director, African Peacebuilding Network, Social Science Research Council

12:00 - 1:00 Lunch

1:00 - 3:30 Chinese, European and American Perspectives

The Relationship between the Belt-Road Initiative and Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
Liu Haifang, Professor and Deputy Director, Center for African Studies, School of International Studies, Peking University

China’s Involvement in African Mega-Infrastructure: The Case of Kenya’s Madaraka Express
Uwe Wissenbach, Diplomat, European Union

How the U.S. Engages across the African Continent and How China Factors into their Thinking
Sarah Margon, Washington Director, Human Rights Watch  

3:30 - 4:00 Wrap-Up General Discussion

Sponsors: Alison Des Forges Memorial Committee; University at Buffalo Asian Studies Program, Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy, Department of Comparative Literature, Confucius Institute, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Department of History, Gender Institute, Humanities Institute, James Agee Chair in American Culture, Department of Philosophy Samuel P. Capen Chair, Department of Political Science, Office of the Vice Provost for International Education.

This symposium honors the life and work of human rights activist Alison Des Forges (1942-2009). For more information, email Roger Des Forges at rvd@buffalo.edu, Ellen Dussourd at dussourd@buffalo.edu or Shaun Irlam at irlam@buffalo.edu.