URGENT NOTICE TO ALL ASWAD CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE, PLEASE REGISTER ON-SITE. The Association for the Study of the Worldwide African Diaspora (ASWAD) Fifth biennial conference August 2-6, 2009 Accra, Ghana You are invited to participate in the fifth biennial conference of the Association for the Study of the Worldwide African Diaspora (ASWAD), to be held August 2-6, 2009, in Accra, Ghana. The conference is co-sponsored by Rutgers University and the W.E.B. Du Bois Center in Accra, with the support of Ghana's Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations. Theme In commemoration of both the Pan-African Conference of 1900 and the Pan-African Congress of 1919, and in celebration of Ghana's central role in nurturing Pan-African struggles for freedom and justice since 1957, the theme of the conference is "AFRICA, DIASPORA, AND PAN-AFRICAN AGENDAS." The conference will be research driven, featuring panels organized in ways that effectively stimulate discourse across geographic, disciplinary, cultural, and theoretical boundaries. Emphasis will also be given to the practice and performance of culture, identity, and politics. Participants are encouraged to propose roundtable discussions and participatory workshops that look at diasporic encounters in all activities from educational policies to cooking practices. All geographic areas will be represented, including Africa, the Americas, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Paper and panel proposals that incorporate women, gender, and sexuality as categories of analysis are encouraged. Final Conference Program and Special Events Schedule The following are .pdf files of the final conference program and special events schedule. ASWAD_Ghana_Final_Program.pdf ASWAD_Ghana_Special_Events_01.pdf Conference Registration ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE, PLEASE REGISTER ON-SITE. ASWAD Membership To join ASWAD or renew your membership for 2009 click here . Conference Hotel and Accommodations The Alisa Hotel North Ridge will serve as the host hotel and site for most activities. Website: http://www.alisahotels.com/. Other nearby hotels are also available to participants. A document containing hotel reservation and optional tour package information can be downloaded below: >>hotel_reservation.doc >>hotel_reservation.pdf Note that the rates offered in this document are for ASWAD conference registrants only. To Book Your Hotel: In order to take advantage of the conference rate, fill out the hotel reservation form above.  Send the information to Akunu Dake at: adake@africaonline.com.gh. Hotel rooms booked through Heritage Development MUST be paid in full in advance via credit card. Conference attendees, however, may use credit cards and travelers checks to pay for incidental hotel charges. All hotel reservations are subject to availability. To Pay for Hotel, Book Airfare and Pay for Airfare, and Pay for Tour Package: Note: conference participants interested in special airfare packages may wish to book their traveling arrangements through Ambassadorway, but also have the option of booking airfare independently. All travel payments are being handled by AMBASSADORWAY, INC. 131 East Central Avenue Maywood, NJ 07607 Toll Free: 866-693-0700 201-368-3408 Contact: Eddie Ditchfield-Agboh, CEO eddie@ambassadorway.com //www.ambassadorway.com// Visas Visas are required for most visitors to Ghana. US CITIZENS MUST OBTAIN A TOURIST VISA. All participants should check with their local Ghanaian consulate or embassy for details. For those traveling from the US, the following websites will be helpful: http://www.ghanaembassy.org/corp_div_details_embassy.cfm?EmpID=151&BrandsID=45 http://www.ghanaconsulatenewyork.org/pages/visa_services.html The following document contains references for ASWAD conference participants applying for Ghana Visas: >>references_Ghana_visa.doc >>references_Ghana_visa.pdf Participants who require a letter of invitation for visa purposes may request one by sending your mailing address to membership manager Yuko Miki at yuko.miki@nyu.edu. Please note that you may be required to present evidence of immunization against yellow fever upon arrival in Ghana. Additional Travel Questions Heritage Development is the tour operator for this ASWAD conference, and is coordinating all travel arrangements. The contact person is Executive Director Akunu Dake. There is no website for Heritage Development, but the office may be reached via email at: adake@africaonline.com.gh. <<back