CALL FOR PAPERS for IASYM Africa Conference
(Download as PDF)

Abuja Nigeria, West Africa

Venue: Bolingo Hotel, Independent Avenue, Central Business District

September 5-7, 2023

The Africa We Want: Integrating African Union’s Agenda 2063 in Youth Ministry

Youth ministry can only flourish in a context that is intentional about the needs and well-being of its young people. The African Union (AU)’s Agenda 2063: The African We Want is a masterplan towards transformation, integration, prosperity and a united African continent. It is a strategic framework to enable Pan Africanism and African Renaissance through inclusive and sustainable development, continental integration, peace, freedom, and security. The aim is to place Africa in a dominant position within the global space. The treaty has various aspirations and flagship programs - Aspiration Six is focused on empowering and harnessing the potentials of young people in achieving this agenda.

The International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry (IASYM) Africa identifies the need for the church and organizations working with young people to pursue the objectives of the AU as this will enhance a holistic approach to youth ministry. For this reason, we call for papers that will address the issues relating to young people in Africa in light of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, with a clear foundation in biblical and theological perspectives. The conference will be held both onsite (in Abuja, Nigeria) and online.

The IASYM is a network of people from all over the world involved in professional youth ministry research. To further the academic study and research of youth ministry IASYM organizes conferences (both regional and international) and publishes The Journal of Youth and Theology (JYT) by Brill.

We therefore welcome proposals for research papers, discussion papers and practitioner presentations from any of the theological and other related disciplines, and from multi-disciplinary research methods, on the following themes:

• Youth ministry and Pan Africanism
• Young people and spirituality
• Youth ministry in the light of poverty and inequalities
• Youth ministry and sustainable development
• Youth ministry and disability
• Economic empowerment of young people
• Youth ministry and agricultural productivity
• Youth ministry and political agency
• Young people in the digital age
• Youth, human rights and social justice
• Youth, peace and reconciliation
• Youth and gender
• Young people and continental trade
• Youth and migration
• Young people and security
• Pandemic and young people
• Youth ministry and 4IR
• Youth ministry and the environment

Timeline for Submissions

• November 20, 2022: Open for receiving proposals
• February 28, 2023: Deadline for proposals (New extended deadline: March 15, 2023)
• April 30, 2023: Acceptance notification and feedback will be sent by the academic committee.
• August 28, 2023: Full paper submission to academic committee

Submission of Proposals:

Proposals should be submitted to the academic committee not later than Mar 15, 2023. Your proposal should include all of the following information:

1. Research paper: A normal conference paper presentation followed with questions and answers.
2. Discussion paper: The presenter will do a brief presentation and then facilitate a discussion on the topic.
3. Practitioner presentation: Not necessarily an academic paper but a presentation on youth work you are engaged in.

We are only accepting online submissions. Submit your proposal via this link: https://forms.gle/eCt1PCBpHEF6dhR87

Cost

The cost for the conference will include accommodation and meals. Details of an excursion will be shared in due course. For now, we have two options

•  140 USD (single room per person)
• 109 USD (room sharing option)

Enquiries

In case of any enquiries, you can e-mail samenyedzi@sun.ac.za and cc kndereba@spu.ac.ke and azizg@unisa.ac.za

Academic Committee:

• Rev. Dr Seyram Amenyedzi (University of Western Cape)
• Rev. Prof. Garth Aziz (University of South Africa)
• Dr. Kevin Muriithi Ndereba (St. Paul’s University)