Over 40 scholars from across the humanities and social sciences convened at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University (GSU) in Sharjah, UAE, for the sixth international conference, “Congolese Horizons: Weaving Temporalities in Congo Studies.” Held from January 29 to 31, 2025, the event explores how temporality—both as a concept and lived experience—shapes Congolese history, culture, and society. In collaboration with the Congo Research Network (CRN), the conference brings together leading experts to investigate the complex ways time intersects with the past, present, and future of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The conference opened with remarks from Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, President of Global Studies University, “The conference theme explores temporality through an interdisciplinary lens, and interrogates the ways in which it is historically, culturally, and politically understood and experienced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond. Such a theme fits very well with our intellectual goals behind our graduate curricula, which are intended to train a new generation of critical thinkers,” Al Qasimi said.

Professor Salah M. Hassan, Chancellor of Global Studies University and Dean of The Africa Institute, followed by noting the event’s significance for rethinking knowledge production. “As we ‘weave temporalities’ in Congo Studies, we must also weave methodologies, voices, and forms of scholarship that reflect the diversity and complexity of the Congo itself. This conference aims to provide a unique space for interdisciplinary and transnational dialogues, engaging with topics ranging from historical memory and ecological entanglements to technological innovation and the politics of aspiration,” said Professor Hassan.

The conference featured nine thematic panels that addressed a broad array of topics, including colonialism’s lasting legacies, ecological change, and the intersection of religion and spirituality in Congolese life. One panel focused on the temporalities of disease, discussing the recurring Ebola outbreaks and the socio-ecological impact of emerging diseases in the region. Another examined the shifting labor and social identities in the DRC, shedding light on the transformation of communities affected by mining and colonial histories.

“By weaving together multiple dimensions of temporal experience, this conference provides an opportunity to rethink global issues through the lens of Congo’s unique temporal landscapes,” said Emery Kalema, conference convenor and Assistant Professor of History at The Africa Institute, GSU. “We are not merely reflecting on the past but engaging with the intricate temporalities that shape the present and future of the Congo.”

One of the highlights of the conference was a keynote address by renowned Congolese artist Faustin Linyekula, titled “Of Dreams and Broken Circles.” Linyekula’s lecture-performance discussed the role of temporality in Congo’s cultural and artistic spheres. This was followed by the screening of Tongo Saa (Rising Up at Night), a 2024 film directed by Nelson Makengo, which explores themes of resilience and resistance in contemporary Congo.

The three-day conference successfully facilitated a space for meaningful exchange on the temporal dimensions of Congolese experiences, while fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse and complex histories, cultures, and identities that shape the DRC today.

In alignment with its mission to advance African studies, The Africa Institute offers the MA in Global African Studies, African Language certifications, and fellowships to support scholarly research.

Over 40 scholars from across the humanities and social sciences convened at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University (GSU) in Sharjah, UAE, for the sixth international conference, “Congolese Horizons: Weaving Temporalities in Congo Studies.” Held from January 29 to 31, 2025, the event explores how temporality—both as a concept and lived experience—shapes Congolese history, culture, and society. In collaboration with the Congo Research Network (CRN), the conference brings together leading experts to investigate the complex ways time intersects with the past, present, and future of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Over 40 scholars from across the humanities and social sciences convened at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University (GSU) in Sharjah, UAE, for the sixth international conference, “Congolese Horizons: Weaving Temporalities in Congo Studies.” Held from January 29 to 31, 2025, the event explores how temporality—both as a concept and lived experience—shapes Congolese history, culture, and society. In collaboration with the Congo Research Network (CRN), the conference brings together leading experts to investigate the complex ways time intersects with the past, present, and future of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The conference opened with remarks from Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, President of Global Studies University, “The conference theme explores temporality through an interdisciplinary lens, and interrogates the ways in which it is historically, culturally, and politically understood and experienced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond. Such a theme fits very well with our intellectual goals behind our graduate curricula, which are intended to train a new generation of critical thinkers,” Al Qasimi said.

Professor Salah M. Hassan, Chancellor of Global Studies University and Dean of The Africa Institute, followed by noting the event’s significance for rethinking knowledge production. “As we ‘weave temporalities’ in Congo Studies, we must also weave methodologies, voices, and forms of scholarship that reflect the diversity and complexity of the Congo itself. This conference aims to provide a unique space for interdisciplinary and transnational dialogues, engaging with topics ranging from historical memory and ecological entanglements to technological innovation and the politics of aspiration,” said Professor Hassan.

The conference featured nine thematic panels that addressed a broad array of topics, including colonialism’s lasting legacies, ecological change, and the intersection of religion and spirituality in Congolese life. One panel focused on the temporalities of disease, discussing the recurring Ebola outbreaks and the socio-ecological impact of emerging diseases in the region. Another examined the shifting labor and social identities in the DRC, shedding light on the transformation of communities affected by mining and colonial histories.

“By weaving together multiple dimensions of temporal experience, this conference provides an opportunity to rethink global issues through the lens of Congo’s unique temporal landscapes,” said Emery Kalema, conference convenor and Assistant Professor of History at The Africa Institute, GSU. “We are not merely reflecting on the past but engaging with the intricate temporalities that shape the present and future of the Congo.”

One of the highlights of the conference was a keynote address by renowned Congolese artist Faustin Linyekula, titled “Of Dreams and Broken Circles.” Linyekula’s lecture-performance discussed the role of temporality in Congo’s cultural and artistic spheres. This was followed by the screening of Tongo Saa (Rising Up at Night), a 2024 film directed by Nelson Makengo, which explores themes of resilience and resistance in contemporary Congo.

The three-day conference successfully facilitated a space for meaningful exchange on the temporal dimensions of Congolese experiences, while fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse and complex histories, cultures, and identities that shape the DRC today.

In alignment with its mission to advance African studies, The Africa Institute offers the MA in Global African Studies, African Language certifications, and fellowships to support scholarly research.

Conference Highlights

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