African Studies November 2009 iiiiii Center alliances No.2 Member of the University of Michigan International Institute

ASC Launch Conference a Great Success International symposium features scholars, dignitaries iimidst much good cheer Aand palpable excitement, the African Studies Center marked its academic debut with an international symposium featuring an impressive array iiof national and international scholars and dignitaries. The March 12-14, 2009 event, “Engaging Africa/ Advancing African Studies,” fulfilled its dual peace continues to consolidate with each objectives of honoring the first anniversary passing year—even as victims’ rights of U-M President Mary Sue Coleman’s trip are ignored. He argued that the need for to Africa, and advancing the intellectual peace and reconciliation within families iiagenda for Africa initiatives at the U-M. evolved outward from the grassroots level These initiatives represent the ‘Michigan to the country as a whole. He then turned Difference’ by spanning health, science, to Kenya, where a fragile peace has set in humanities, engineering, public policy, law, following the election violence of January the arts, and more―the full gamut of the 2008, and argued for improved coordination university. among international actors assisting with Following remarks by Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Lester Monts, Interna- tional Institute Director Mark Tessler, and ASC Director Kelly Askew, the symposium began with a keynote address on “Peace Without Justice” by João Honwana, Director of the Africa I Division/UN Department of Political Affairs. Honwana is a leading figure in African conflict resolution who fought in the Mozambican struggle for independence. He directed the Conventional Arms Branch of the UN Department for Disarmament Affairs and led peace-building efforts in Guinea-Bissau and Sudan before being Amos Sawyer, former President of Liberia appointed to his current position. Honwana explored cases where peace conflict resolution. A lively panel discussion was achieved at the expense of justice, and followed, featuring Rahma Bourqia, queried how sustainable such peace is. President of Université Hassan II, Morocco; He focused the first half of his remarks on David Wiley, Professor of Sociology, MSU; , where families were divided and Amos Sawyer, former President of by split loyalties during the war, yet where Liberia.

João Honwana, UN Africa I Division Director Continued, p. 2 FROM THE DIRECTOR Continued from p. 1 The second day began with an address by Coleman, who reflected on her African n this second issue of Africa-related projects and collaborations. trip and her commitment to continued Alliances, we explore Launched with generous funding from collaboration with African universities. She Iactivities from the the Office of the President; Office of the pointed out that “many African studies African Studies Center’s Vice President for Research; College of centers focus their work on the social first full year and the Engineering; the schools of Information, sciences and humanities, and that’s great. trajectories guiding Education, and Natural Resources and We do this, and more, by also incorporating our current efforts. Let the Environment; Graham Environmental disciplines like medicine, engineering, and Photo by Elshafei Dafalla Mohamed me begin by affirming Sustainability Institute; and the International dentistry providing a broader platform for that our accomplishments thus far would not Institute, STEM-Africa will connect faculty scholars engaged in research, teaching, and have been possible without the dedicated and students from Africa with the U-M to service related to Africa.” team that animate the ASC: Devon Adjei (Key facilitate development of creative solutions Proving her point, four interdisciplinary Administrator), Sandie Schulze (Program to some of the most critical global issues, panels occupied the rest of the day: Coordinator), and Thaya Rowe (Secretary). To from waste management and water access to “Expanding Health Initiatives in Ghana,” give but one example, the successful launch of bioinformatics and cybersecurity. “Health and Environment in Urban Africa,” the U-M African Presidential Scholars (UMAPS) We welcomed several distinguished guests “Dynamics of Science and Technology program derives largely from their meticulous to campus this past summer. These included in Africa,” and “U-M Presidential African organization, warm hospitality, and ability Ambassador Amina Salum Ali of the African Initiatives: Heritage and Social Research.” to make ASC a home-away-from-home for Union (AU); Commissioner Jean-Pierre Each panel was introduced by a U-M dean: our UMAPS scholars. The heartfelt statements Ezin from the AU Department of Human the first by James Woolliscroft of the Medical made by UMAPS scholars at the farewell dinner Resources, Science and Technology; and School, the second by Peter Polverini of iiii in August (see story p. 6) highlighted this, and University of Liberia President Emmet Dennis. the School of Dentistry, the third by David I join them in thanking Devon, Sandie, and All three engaged us in discussions on how Munson of the School of Engineering, and Thaya for their talents and thoughtfulness. I the U-M might play a role in invigor-ating and the fourth by Terrence McDonald of LSA. A also extend a welcome to Derek Peterson, supporting higher education in Africa. dazzling assemblage of scholars from U-M the new ASC Associate Director. Derek is I write this letter from Tanzania, a country and partner institutions in Africa presented an associate professor in the Department with limited higher-ed opportunities. The on a wide range of topics. of History and CAAS, and joins us from government’s goal after independence The final day featured a roundtable Cambridge University (UK) where he served as was to promote literacy, focusing efforts discussion with directors of centers of Director of its African Studies Centre. We feel on universal primary education and African or Africa-related studies—Mamadou very fortunate to have him on our team. supplementing it with adult education. But Diouf (Columbia), James Pritchett (MSU), We also welcome to campus new professors inadequate resources led to a period of Harry Garuba (UCT, S. Africa) and Alcinda Anne Pitcher (CAAS/Political Science), Martin decline at the two universities that until Honwana (, UK); and the Murray 2 (Taubman College of Architecture recently were the only higher-ed options in current president of the African Studies and Urban Planning/CAAS), Frank Nunoo- this country of 38 million people. Faculty Association, Paul Tiyambe Zeleza. Chaired Quarcoo (School of Art and Design), were poorly paid; many left for more lucrative by Kevin Gaines, Director of CAAS, the Nyambura Mpesha (CAAS), and Yazier Henry careers elsewhere. Infrastructure was not roundtable reviewed the current state of (Ford School of Public Policy/CAAS), all of maintained, and new technologies lay beyond African studies and how innovations within whom bring Africanist expertise. reach—yet demand for a college education the field have transformed disciplines. We introduce with this issue the new ASC kept rising. A compelling discussion highlighted the logo, developed by Michigan Marketing & Higher education is in a state of crisis Design; and we anticipate that our new website all across Africa, leading the AU to declare will soon go live. Another achievement is our 2006-2015 a “Second Decade of Education new African Languages program, launched for Africa.” With our proven excellence this semester with Dr. Mpesha teaching across disciplines, institutional commitment Swahili, plus instruction in Akan, Bambara, to internationalization, and longstanding Wolof, and Zulu offered via videoconferencing collaborations in Africa, the U-M is poised from Indiana University. Many thanks to Loyd to be a significant partner in the AU’s Mbabu, our Africana librarian, who tested the efforts. Our faculty and students benefit in waters by offering a pilot Swahili course in untold ways by acquiring new perspectives 2008-09. It was such a success that we were and encouraging innovation in conditions able to make the case for introducing a full at a significant remove from the bounty of program this year. our campus. U-M’s growing engagement Alcinda Honwana speaking at the conference, with (L to R) Kevin Gaines, Mamadou Diouf and Previously in Alliances, we detailed three with Africa has the potential to reap both James Pritchett. presidential initiatives administered through immediate and hidden rewards for all the ASC: UMAPS, African Heritage, and involved, enhancing our status as a global origins of African studies, and emphasized African Social Research (see updates pp. university. It is an exciting time for African the need for collaborative solutions to 10-11). It is my great pleasure to announce Studies, and I thank every one of you for the challenges faced on both sides of the a fourth initiative: STEM-Africa, which will role you play in making it so. Atlantic. support U-M faculty in the fields of science, Kelly M. Askew technology, engineering, and mathematics with Photos by U-M Photo Services October 2009

Some of his students traveled to Ghana with Silverman and Chaffers, where they met with Ghanaian students who had done the same thing. They worked together and presented their designs to the Techiman community, which selected one for the cultural center. Although this type of collaboration poses challenges, the extra time and effort is part of an important process that Silverman hopes will result in the community learning new skills. It is a process that will ultimately strengthen civil society in Techiman. These challenges also bring opportunity. Although this type of public scholarship is often not recognized as legitimate academic work, a project like the Techiman Cultural

R icardo Punzalan Center gives Silverman the opportunity to U-M’s Ray Silverman reviews a prototype of the website for Techiman’s new cultural center explore a paradigm that emphasizes the with community leaders this last June. importance of engaging and collaborating with local communities in the production Professor Ray Silverman: common cultural village whose primary of knowledge. “We’re pushing the envelope audience was outsiders and tourists, why with regard to how universities connect with PUSHING THE ENVELOPE IN GHANA not create a cultural center that would serve, communities, with the rest of society,” he by Stephanie Harrell first and foremost, the people of Techiman? explained, adding that the LSA 2009 Theme iiii Reprinted with permission from the History of The chiefs immediately embraced the Year, “Meaningful Objects: Museums in Art department newsletter, Spring 2009 idea. This type of center would strengthen the Academy” will include a lecture series ties between the culturally diverse people exploring the ways local knowledge is aymond Silverman is a professor of Art of Techiman (Ghanaians from all over the translated and represented in the context History and Afroamerican and African country live there because it is home to of the museum. This work is a far cry from Studies, as well as the director of the R the country’s largest agricultural market) the more traditional art history Silverman Museum Studies Program. Throughout his by offering a space where all the different has pursued in the past. This approach, career he has worked extensively in Ghana cultures could express their traditions. It Silverman said, “takes several steps back and Ethiopia, and has developed a strong could also, by being a site where unique from the object and considers the social interest in the history of museums in Africa local cultural practices are performed, space in which history and tradition are as well as the translation of local knowledge become a major tourist attraction. performed and culture evolves. in community-based cultural institutions. This summer, Silverman returned to “One of the marvelous things about this In his work and travels in Ghana, Ghana, as he has several times since 2005, project is that it’s been a terrific opportunity 3 Silverman had encountered many “cultural accompanied by four graduate students, for me to engage in fieldwork in Africa villages.” Ghana is a major heritage to continue working with the people of that’s relevant to what I do here at the tourism destination, and Silverman sees Techiman on the Techiman Cultural Center, University of Michigan, which is primarily these villages as having a common aim of supported with funding from Arts of in the area of museum studies, and by attracting visitors by offering a standard Citizenship and the International Institute extension heritage studies,” Silverman said. representation of “Ghanaian” indigenous Experiential Learning Fund. The center, He will continue to follow the culture. when finished, will include a museum, art development of the Techiman Cultural “People were doing the same thing gallery, archives, library, artisan workshops, Center, even as his responsibilities in Ann over and over again,” he said, posing the auditorium, restaurant, and more. It will be Arbor extend to the interim co-management question: “How does one represent the a social and cultural space where artisans of the University of Michigan Museum of culture of a nation comprising over 20 and artists work, where annual festivals Art during the search for a new museum ethnic groups, each with its own culture?” So and weddings and funerals are performed, director. when a group of chiefs from Techiman—the where local history is preserved, and where community in which Silverman lived in Techiman’s diverse communities come 1979-80 while he conducted research for together to share their experiences. his PhD dissertation—approached him Although Silverman has been an several years ago for assistance creating instrumental advisor, the project is a a similar cultural village, he feared it thoroughly collaborative endeavor, and would only offer tourists the same kind of one in which the process is seen to be as experience they could encounter at other, important as the outcome. In Techiman, more accessible locations in Ghana. He was the chiefs are learning to concede part also aware—having spoken with community of their decision-making authority to leaders—that they are very concerned about promote involvement from the community the loss of local customs and beliefs in at large. Here in Ann Arbor, in 2006, Techiman in the face of globalization. Architecture and Urban Planning professor Silverman suggested an alternative to Jim Chaffers dedicated a design studio the Techiman chiefs: rather than make a class to developing plans for the center. IMAGINE/Africa ground station STEM-Africa Advances Sci/Tech, Engineering, and Math Collaborations circumcision STEM-Africa is the fourth of the could save 3-5 presidential initiatives for Africa. The million lives in STeM-Africa Initiative will advance sub-Saharan research collaborations and career Africa alone over development in science, technology, the next 15 years. engineering, and mathematics between But traditional the U-M and partnering institutions in U-M students studied the plastics recycling circumcisions Africa. It will promote and enrich existing industry in the US and Ghana, developing have come under scrutiny recently, due STEM initiatives in Africa and support recommendations for establishing programs to deaths resulting from complications. new intellectual engagements that and raising awareness of the benefi ts of Four mechanical engineering seniors extend scientifi c knowledge and nurture plastics recycling. They visited schools, worked with Sienko and U-M, Family emerging STEM scholars on the continent. restaurants, and churches in an urban Health International, and South African community, and also spent a week in a rural clinicians to design a low-cost tool that is community, building recycling bins using minimally intrusive to traditional ceremonial U-M CoLLege of eNgINeerINg: local materials and working with residents procedures. The adjustable tool, which iiii to place the bins at strategic collection could be manufactured for around $3, has LAyINg THe groUNDWorK IN Photo by Jan L. McAlpine the potential to be used in clinical settings AfrICA spots. • In May 2008, Mechanical engineering worldwide. Several prototypes have been by Meredith Mecham Smith professor Kathleen Sienko led a gIeU created and the team is now preparing for student team to Kumasi, Ghana. Their aim initial human subject testing. tudents and faculty from the • In an Atmospheric, oceanic and Space U-M College of Engineering Sciences class led by CoE faculty members S(CoE) have been working with Thomas Zurbuchen and Darren McKague, African institutions for several students examined how off -the-shelf years. While these collaborations technology could be used to create low- are still in their infancy, they cost satellite internet ground stations in have laid the groundwork for the developing world. The goal was to engagement in Africa with faculty increase internet access in Africa, where 4 exchanges, joint projects, and only 6 percent of the population is currently programs like the ones off ered connected—the lowest penetration in the through the global Intercultural world. (In comparison, about 74 percent Experience for Undergraduates of North Americans have internet access.) (gIeU) program. The result: IMAgINe (IMplementing A global • Professors Albert Shih and Jun Internet Network) Africa, funded by Coe and Ni have partnered on several Google. exchange programs with IMAGINE Group The fi rst stations were deployed in colleagues in . Shih Kenya in 2008. Powered by a solar panel is working on an NSf-sponsored was to develop a program that focused on and batteries and equipped with a wireless project on friction spot welding. Ni also technological interventions and educational router, the stations don’t need grid power has a joint NSf grant and has organized outreach with the goal of reducing maternal or landline communications. Ultimately, the US-South Africa workshops on advanced mortality. The project partnered the U-M stations will create an “internet café”-style manufacturing technologies. with the University of ghana, KNUST School environment for users wherever they are, • In July 2005, Mechanical engineering of Medical Sciences, and Sene District whether desert, jungle, or savanna. professor Elijah Kannatey-Asibu, Jr., led Hospital. Sienko returned to Ghana in July a team of nine gIeU students to Kumasi, 2009 with another student team to conduct CAfI reSeArCH ProJeCT eXAMINeS Ghana, to work on a project involving clinical observations in urban and rural eNVIroNMeNTAL goVerNANCe ways to modernize manufacturer Suame hospitals. The students also taught HIV/ Magazine. The team visited job shops AIDS educational outreach modules to high- MoDeLS to document available equipment and school students and clinic nursing staff , by Arun Agrawal and rebecca Hardin, SNre manpower, and made recommendations to among other activities. show how ghana’s manufacturing sector • Sienko and Coe colleagues have he NSf-supported Central Africa could be improved through education and been working on a tool for adult male forests Initiative (CAfI) focuses modernization. circumcision in South Africa. recent studies Ton the critical juncture between • Kannatey-Asibu went back to ghana in suggest that circumcision can reduce the environmental governance and logging 2006 with a gIeU team collaborating with risk of contracting the HIV virus by as in forests in Cameroon and the republic the University of Education Winneba. Twelve much as 60 percent; it’s estimated that of the Congo. This innovative project ELECTRIC UGANDA: Based on Brigham examines how variations in environmental MEETING ENERGY CRISES Young University’s governance make a difference in forested empowerplay- landscapes in these two countries. by Abigail Mechtenberg, Assistant Research grounds.org Part of the CAFI initiative is to better Scientist, Physics Department (LSA) project, but locally understand the social and ecological manufactured in transformations in concession level Of all the civil rights for Uganda instead of management that certification processes imported. are producing. The transnational nature of which the world has strug- • Wind generator the challenges, linking consumers in world gled and fought for 5,000 for villages with markets with producers in Africa, makes high winds. this a critical and timely topic. years, the right to learn is • Micro- hydroelectric undoubtedly the most Photo by Abigail Mechtenberg generator for villages fundamental. near fast-flowing water. -W.E.B. Du Bois During our October 2009 trip, we plan to add steam engine electric generators, and will also begin implementing devices n early 2007, Business Professor John at businesses, schools, and hospitals. Makanda (Mountains of the Moon We’re also looking forward to working with IUniversity) and I began discussing Engineering Professor Dr. Moses Musaazi the many-faceted relationships between from Makerere University, Uganda. The electricity and development in Uganda. What recipient of international awards for his happens at hospitals when the grid goes work, Musaazi has extensive experience iiii

Photo by Jan L. McAlpine off? How are health clinics affected by lack taking locally manufactured projects to CAFI 2009 meeting of access to the electric grid? What about market. He’s excited to be joining the team, businesses like video halls, computing The project supports the training, and we are delighted to welcome him. centers, internet cafés, and bars? What are research, and education activities of the consequences to boarders at off-grid students through faculty partnerships schools when they use kerosene lanterns— MATH CONFERENCES IN CAMEROON across campus, including the School risking fire and indoor air pollution? Given of Natural Resources and Environment By Dan Burns, Professor of Mathematics, the constraints, how do we meet these (SNRE), the Ross School of Business, the College of LSA unreliable and unavailable grid energy departments of Anthropology and Ecology crises? & Evolutionary Biology, the Center for the he Department of Mathematics at We decided to work together as a team Study of Complex Systems, and the African the University of Buea, Cameroon, through Mountains of the Moon University, Studies Center. And the initiative is building Tis sponsoring the “International St. Joseph’s Technical Institute, and the strong collaborative links with researchers Conferences on the Mathematical Sciences” U-M, to empower networking and projects 5 and students from the University of series, which brings together academics that address these critical electricity and Yaounde, Cameroon; the University and professionals of diverse backgrounds human development issues. Marion Gouabi in Brazzaville, Congo; and who share an interest in the mathematical Today, in 2009, the co-created “Physics the French Department of Research on sciences and their applications. The and Business of Energy” curriculum Humans, Nature, and Society in . inaugural conference was held in Buea in (empowerdesign.org) has finished building CAFI’s research strategy will use May 2009, with support provided by the the following devices, all constructed from ethnographic, statistical, remote-sensing, U-M Department of Mathematics and the locally available materials in Fort Portal, and agent-based modeling techniques. It Comprehensive Studies Program. More than Uganda: will show how variations in partnerships 100 participants attended. • Bicycle generator for off-grid villages. It among governments, logging companies, The conferences explore the vital role takes fewer food calories to use a generator and third parties affect the content of that math plays in professional research to charge a cell phone than it takes for concession agreements, their subsequent and in society in general, and will nurture villagers to walk to and from a cell phone implementation, and environmental understanding and collaboration between charging station. (The generator was outcomes; and how armed conflict, shifts global and Cameroonian mathematical also implemented later at Mpala Wildlife in trade and currency values, and increased scientists and practitioners. Organizers Foundation in Kenya.) access to data about logging and forest hope the series will become a prominent • Hand-crank generator for surgical lamp, management in forum for generating scientific synergies for produced in concessions, the advancement of Africa’s scientific and conjunction forest cover technological workforce. with Michigan’s change, and Two U-M mathematics faculty members M-Heal surgical associated are participating in the conferences: lamp biomedical outcomes Nkem Khumbah serves as co-chair of the engineering modify new organizing committee, and Dan Burns serves student team. and evolving as a member of the International Advisory • Merry-go- governance Committee. round generator arrangements. For more information, see: for schools. www.bueaconference.com. Photo by Abigail Mechtenberg n a recent August evening, become future faculty by finding graduate i Rackham Assembly Hall was the educational opportunities that would allow Oscene of a celebratory dinner. And them to study overseas and return as faculty there was much to celebrate: to Liberia. • We honored the 2008-09 inuaugural “I’m on a mission to rebuild the cohort of the UMAPS scholars, who were institution,” Dennis said, “with partners homeward bound after six months of who can benefit from that rebuilding scholarship on the Michigan campus; process. Part of my mission is to elicit the • We welcomed Emmet Dennis, president partnership of a place like the University of the University of Liberia, who spoke of Michigan, which is unique from the about the partnerships the U-M is building standpoint of its international character. with the University of Liberia; and Celebrating Partnerships: “The international agenda permeates the • We introduced the fourth African UMAPS, STEM, and the University length and breadth of this institution,” he presidential initiative, STEM-Africa. added. “The sharing of ideas and ideals and of Liberia In her opening remarks, ASC Director philosophies here makes me feel like I’m in Kelly Askew thanked President Dennis a candy store on Christmas!” for attending, and pointed out that as an Dennis ended his speech with words immunologist and epidemiologist, he is a iiiiiiof praise for both the University of “STEM-er” himself. She also announced that Michigan and its visionary president, Mary the second cohort of UMAPS scholars has Sue Coleman, who has been a constant been selected (see related article page 11). champion of outreach to Africa. Other speakers—among them Senior Vice EX AFRICA SEMPER “The parochialism of the past does not Provost for Academic Affairs Lester Monts exist,” Dennis said. iiiiand International Institute Director Mark ALIQUID NOVI “When the roll is called, it will be the Tessler—spoke about the importance of University of Michigan that is looked upon continuing to strengthen the ties between (“There is always something as THE global citizen.” the University of Michigan and educational institutions on the continent, and how the new out of Africa”) leadership of President Mary Sue Coleman has been so important. -Pliny the Elder “We are building a network of connections and friendships” with African universities, said Rackham Graduate School Dean the state of Liberian academics in the wake Janet Weiss, which will be “fruitful from a of the 1980 civil war. scholarship and educational perspective. The 14-year-long conflict, he said, “It was enormously valuable to have the caused problems not only for the 6 UMAPS group here,” she added. infrastructure at the college, but also caused many faculty to leave the country. Ongoing connections with the University of Michigan Emmet Dennis, Kelly Askew, and Dean Janet Weiss will “help move things along,” he said, “but much more needs to happen.” Dennis believes that the UMAPS program “A Bittersweet Moment” is a “timely and unique” addition to the In February 2009, ten junior faculty from Michigan-Liberia connection, which speaks Ghana and South Africa arrived in Ann Arbor to the problems of promoting and retaining to begin a residency at the University of faculty in country. Of the teachers at his Michigan. Their first thought? For UMAPS institution, fully 70% were instructors, with scholar Efua Vandyck of the University of only 30% tenure-track professors. A primary Ghana, it was: “It’s so cold!” Six months focus of his has been to help instructors later on a sultry summer evening as they prepared to depart for their homes, all agreed that the experience was one they Emmet Dennis: On a Mission would never forget. to Rebuild “I was sad when I left home,” said Alexius The evening had a decided Liberian Amtaika, of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, leitmotif. Provost Monts reminded the “because I had to leave my family and my audience that his area of expertise in children. But this gave me an opportunity ethnomusicology is Liberian music, which he to have a new family that took care of me has been studying for 35 years. Kelly Askew and gave me all the assistance and support announced that the next cohort of UMAPS I needed. participants will include scholars from “Thank you, Mary Sue Coleman, for your Liberia. And Emmet Dennis, on leave from vision,” Amtaika added, ending his remarks Rutgers University and currently president of UMAP scholar Moses Nii-Dortey and Lester with the familiar quotation, “There is always the University of Liberia (U-L), spoke about Montes something new out of Africa.” FOCUS ON… Sekepe Matjila also had an apt quotation: “I will follow the footprints of wisdom,” said UMAPS SCHoLAr to be spoken by Ethiopian Queen Makeda, ANNeT ogUTTU also known as Sheba, before her journey to by Meredith Mecham Smith Solomon. His time at Michigan was his own journey to wisdom, he said. can think of no more important “Iwork than joining hands with you to transform and improve lives through the Emmet Dennis with Siobhan Harlow, School of Public Health UMAPS mentor, and UMAPS power and promise of global knowledge.” scholar Efua Vandyck This remark by U-M President Mary Sue Coleman during her 2008 trip to Africa marked the beginning of the University UMAPS 2008-09 SCHoLArS AND THeIr of Michigan African President Scholars U-M fACULTy MeNTorS (UMAPS) Program. The fi rst group of scholars ended its tenure in Ann Arbor ■ Alexius Amtaika, University of in August, and the impact of this unique KwaZulu-Natal/Adam Ashforth, CAAS, opportunity for visiting faculty from South Yazier Henry, Public Policy/CAAS with Sekepe mentor Africa and Ghana and their mentors is just ■ Matjila, UMAPS Scholar Alexander Kaadyire Duku Frempong, beginning to emerge. University of Ghana/Ken Kollman, An “advert” at the University of South “Thank you for honoring us,” said Leah Political Science, mentor Africa (UNISA) in 2008 was the beginning ■ Ndanga, of the University of , “and Sekepe Daniel Matjila, University of a collaboration and friendship between iiii thank you for believing in us.” of South Africa/Keith Taylor, English, Annet oguttu and U-M tax law professor Like many of the other scholars, Moses mentor reuven Avi-yonah. An associate professor ■ Nii-Dortey of the University of ghana felt Carol Jean Mitchell, University of at the University of South Africa’s School that “the African Studies Center is the family KwaZulu-Natal/Pat King, education, of Law, oguttu had just fi nished a PhD in we had” while at Michigan, and he thanked mentor international tax law when she learned ■ the Center staff , CAAS, and the UMAPS Annet oguttu, University of South about UMAPS. The program invited mentors for their help and support. Africa School of Law/ reuven Avi- promising, early-career faculty members “I feel so good about myself,” said a yonah, Law, mentor from Ghana and South Africa to the U-M ■ smiling Annet oguttu of the University Leah Z.B. Ndanga, University of for a six-month residency. (This year’s of South Africa Law School. Her mentor, Pretoria/ravi Anupindi, Business, cohort will include scholars from Liberia.) reuven Avi-yonah, was a “kindred spirit” mentor Each scholar was paired with a volunteer ■ with whom she immediately connected. Moses Narteh Nii-Dortey, University U-M faculty mentor during the residency, (read more about Annet oguttu and reuven of ghana/Lester Monts, Music, mentor and had full access to Michigan’s resources ■ 7 Avi-yonah in the following article.) “This is Judith Koryo Stephens, University to further their work on research projects, just the beginning,” she proclaimed. of Ghana/Mark Wilson, Public Health, academic degrees, grant proposals, or “Just the mentor other relevant activity. The program seeks ■ beginning” was Mahunele Lawrence Thotse, to help the next generation of African a sentiment /ray Silverman, scholars and their home institutions build echoed by Judith History of Art, mentor increased academic capacity. ■ Stephens of the Efua Vandyck, University of Ghana/ “When it comes to international tax University of Sioban Harlow, Public Health, mentor issues,” oguttu said, “there isn’t really Ghana, whose much mentorship [in South Africa]. There memories of are very few experts in my fi eld, and no Michigan will institutions off er it on an extensive level. include the “vast SUPPORT ASC I defi nitely knew I would get the guidance resources of the The African Studies Center is a critical I neededSUPPORT if I came ASC [to Michigan].” oguttu libraries” and component in the University of Michigan’s applied, was accepted, and was paired with The African Studies Center is a critical the knowledge ongoing work in and on Africa. you can reuven Avi-yonah, an international tax law Alexius Amtaika component in the University of Michigan’s gained apart help by making a gift to the Center that professor with a global reputation in the will help support our programs, including ongoing work in and on Africa. you can from her own fi eld. oguttu was delighted to learn that the Presidential Scholars initiative. For help by making a gift to the Center that particular research. Avi-yonah, whose work she had quoted in more information, please contact us at will help support our programs, including “This is a bittersweet moment,” Efua [email protected]. or, to make a herthe graduate Presidential studies, Scholars had initiative.agreed to For work Vandyck said, summing up the feelings of gift online, visit www.giving.umich.edu withmore her. information, “you need someplease kindcontact of usguidance, at [email protected] many. Although “the resources here are so and donate through the U-M’s secure some kind of mentorship—affi. or, to makermation—to a www.giving.umich.edu rich” and the opportunities for scholarship giving website. Please remember to growgift in online, this fi visit eld,” oguttu said, “so I knew and donate through the U-M’s secure in many ways so much easier, there’s still no specify the ASC when making your gift. coming here and working hand in hand giving website. Please remember to place like home. with Professor Avi-yonah would give me The ASC is a member of the University of Michigan specify the ASC when making your gift. 2008-09 UMAPS SCHoArS International Institute. this opportunity.” ANDPhotos THeIr by Elshafei MeNTorS Dafalla Mohamed Continued, p. 12 Libraries and Archives IN THe CULTUrAL HerITAge SeCTor

by Margaret Hedstrom Associate Professor, School of Information

he first International Conference on African Digital Libraries and TArchives (ICADLA-1) was held at the UN Conference Center in Addis Ababa July 1-3. The conference brought together more The ICADLA-1 Conference in Addis Ababa drew more than 200 participants from around the world than 200 delegates from libraries, archives, cultural heritage institutions, universities, regions in developing digital libraries and School of Information faculty David Wallace and governments across the continent to managing its cultural heritage resources. and Margaret Hedstrom, along with SI discuss management, access, control, and As a veteran of these conferences, however, master’s students, have been working preservation of tangible cultural heritage I found the discussion on the themes of off and on since 1997 at fort Hare to resources. I attended the conference knowledge management and development organize the archives of the African National to represent the U-M’s African Studies and control over indigenous knowledge Congress, the Pan African Conference, other Center, and to establish new contacts with refreshing and sophisticated. liberation movements, and the university’s archivists, policymakers, and others working Digitization was emphasized as a own historical records. Digitization has on digitization, preservation, and access to strategy for improving access to historical played a very limited role in these eff orts

iiiiAfrican cultural heritage collections. and cultural collections, but there was owing to the need for basic organization Unlike most digital library conferences considerable discussion of the expense of of the collections prior to digitization, the that emphasize new technological digitization given limited resources, the lack of suffi cient resources for digitization developments, ICADLA-1 stressed needs tendency for donors and other sponsors of archival collections on a massive scale, specifi c to Africa, including integrating to drive the agenda and set priorities concerns over ownership and control of indigenous and local knowledge into regarding which materials are digitized, and digital collections, and our own emphasis on development strategies, and asserting local the challenges of sustaining digitization capacity-building and sustainability of the control over cultural heritage resources, projects and collections once donor funds physical collections. while also developing partnerships to ensure are exhausted. The conference produced a communiqué cooperation and collaboration at the local, The themes of the conference resonated with recommendations for future national, regional, and international levels with our experience at the University of coordination of digital libraries and archives for preservation and promotion of—and Fort Hare and the recent U-M sponsored to promote information sharing across access to—national heritage. workshop at in South Africa. The Conference program, many 8 There was a pervasive sense at the Africa on “Producing, Preserving, and papers, and the communiqué are available conference that Africa lags behind other repatriating Digital Cultural Heritage.” on the conference website at www.uneca. org/icadla1/index.htm.

“Safe Motherhood” initiative, I’m hoping to improve maternal child health outcomes in change that statistic. post-confl ict Liberia; today, the community- I’ve been involved in the initiative in based intervention engages women, families this West African nation since 2006. Safe and community members in solving such Motherhood, a global campaign to reduce problems as preventing delays in reaching maternal mortality, was launched some referral facilities (thus reducing the number 20 years ago by the World Bank and two of maternal and neonatal deaths). Physicians UN agencies—the family and nurse-midwives at healthcare facilities Planning Association and the World Health also receive training to upgrade their skills organization. in preparation for increased referrals from Partnering with the United States Agency the communities. The program has been for International Development (USAID), the so successful that it has expanded to all 15 Photo by Jody Lori Liberian Ministry of Health, and Africare- counties in Liberia. Safe Motherhood in Liberia, I introduced a community-based During the 2009 spring/summer semester, intervention, “Home-Based Life Saving Skills,” six second-career nursing students traveled Liberia in Bong, Nimba, and Montserrado counties as with me to Liberia for the clinical portion part of a larger Improved Community Health of their Community Care Nursing course. by Jody Lori, PhD, CNM, School of Nursing Project (ICHP). This global health pilot, funded partially After the 14-year civil war that ravaged by the International Institute, provided an n Liberia today, less than 50 percent their country, Liberians were left with a experiential learning opportunity designed of women give birth in a hospital with critical need for a community-based means to enrich students’ understanding of Ia skilled caregiver in attendance. But to address their healthcare needs. ICHP was the healthcare challenges faced by rural through the work I have been doing with the founded as a reproductive health initiative to communities in Liberia. The program he International economic food, drink, and merriment, including Development Program (IeDP) of musical performances and karaoke. The fi rst Tthe Ford School traveled to Dakar, Senegal Spring Break with weekend saw us racing over sand dunes in Senegal in February 2009. While the primary 4-wheelers and ogling pelicans and pythons goal of the trip was to gather fi rsthand Ford School Students in a bird sanctuary. The fi nal day took us to knowledge on policy issues facing the gorée Island off the coast of Dakar and a country, the group was also able to spend sobering visit to an 18th-century building By Alan Deardorff time exploring Senegal’s natural beauty and where slaves were once held captive before Professor of Economics and Public Policy, Ford historical signifi cance. School of Public Policy being loaded onto ships for America. The 25 master’s students—including fi ve In the end, the IeDP group left Senegal from outside the Ford School who enrolled with a great appreciation for the country,

Photo by Margaret Hedstrom in the course—made the trip along with two faculty members. Students met weekly throughout January and February with Ford School Professor Kathy Terrell and a number of visiting speakers from around the world. Groups within the class researched six policy issues: governance and political corruption; maternal mortality due to malaria; economic development through women’s empowerment; climate vulnerabilities; the emigration problem; and the informal sector.

While in Dakar, the group had close to 30 iiii meetings with policymakers and others in government, the private sector, international organizations, Ngos, and agencies of the US and other governments. Since returning, the subgroups have fi nished their reports Ford School students pose with their and drafted recommendations on the six Senegalese colleagues policy areas, informed by what they learned in these meetings. Each group presented its its people, and their beautiful culture. fi ndings to the U-M campus community in Furthermore, all have returned to U-M with March of 2009. a greater understanding of the particular Both students and faculty enjoyed the challenges that Senegal must face and its trip tremendously. The long days were many opportunities for a healthy future. followed by long evenings of Senegalese 9

intervention to increase awareness of family planning methods and prevention of HIV/AIDS transmission. The purpose of the health intervention project was to incorporate aspects of community assessment; reinforce the role of health teaching in health promotion, disease prevention, and health maintenance; and provide an opportunity for students to apply the principles of teaching/learning to a specifi c at-risk population. The intervention, developed by the Michigan students, was presented to more than 200 community members.

Photo by Jody Lori our work in Liberia continues with a Leaving Monrovia return trip scheduled for February 2010. Two graduate midwifery students will emphasized the synthesis of concepts, faced in the developing world. accompany me for an in-depth clinical theories, knowledge, and practice from While in Liberia, students assessed the experience and collaborative research nursing and public health sciences to physical, social, and cultural environments project with partners in Liberia to examine determine the health status, needs, and of a rural African community. Working with women’s experience of hospital birth, assets of communities and their members community members, they identifi ed a an essential endeavor if progress toward bounded by the infrastructure challenges healthcare need and designed an interactive reducing maternal mortality is to be achieved. ASC initiative updates ASRI

n beautiful Cape Town, South Africa from July 1-3, 2009, the African Social IResearch Initiative (ASRI) held its launch conference, an event co-sponsored by the University of Michigan and the (UCT). The event drew more than 40 participants representing universities and demographic research organizations in South Africa, Ghana, and the U-M. The ASRI collaboration seeks to capitalize on the numerous centers of social research excellence in Ghana, South Africa, and

at U-M, to expand research on select Photo by Kelly M. Askew themes, strengthen translation of research ASRI launch conference participants into public policy, and nurture career development for social scientists. data-sharing, given differing goals and vowel sounds in the Xhosa language are iiii The launch conference was held at unequal resources. apparently as pure as those in the Italian the Breakwater Lodge at the Cape Town During breakout sessions participants language, thus optimally positioning the Waterfront. Professor Thandabantu Nhlapo, debated and strategized future collaborative resonances of native speakers in a manner the Deputy Vice- of UCT, opened research priorities. Working groups that facilitates singing sounds that are the conference with a warm welcome and addressing gender change, governance, and Italianate in quality, ergo perfect for singing emphasis on the great need for high- income/poverty dynamics were identified operatic literatures. . . . I was repeatedly quality social scientific data for the effective to receive targeted funding for further astounded by the level of accomplishment evaluation and transformation of public activities. The ASRI International Steering of these singers.” policies in many social sectors. Long-term Committee plans a second conference in “It was indeed a fruitful trip to Cape collaborations in economic, demographic, 2010 to highlight research progress on Town,” added Daniel Washington, who also and health research between South African 2009 themes, and allow the addition of new serves as Dean of Faculty Affairs at the and Ghanaian institutions and the U-M panels on a range of proposed themes, such School of Music, Theatre & Dance. “I have 10 were lauded, and acknowledged as a firm as the environment, migration, and health never experienced so much vocal talent in foundation for ASRI. outcomes. one place.” Opening remarks were followed by panels The visiting U-M professors were addressing: (1) methods for measuring introduced to four graduates of the school. gender change in society; (2) innovative HERITAGE One, a baritone, is fulfilling a contract at ways to apply mixed methods—quantitative, the Metropolitan Opera; a married couple qualitative, and experimental—in social both sing at a German opera house; and research; (3) opportunities for expanding Opera at UCT the fourth, a young soprano, just won the comparative research on governance in he relationship between UCT (University Belvedere Competition, one of the most Africa; and (4) the recent expansion of of Cape Town) and the U-M took prestigious in the world, and will begin available surveys on income and poverty Ianother step forward in August when studies in the Young Artists Program at La dynamics. Dinner on July 2nd was followed three professors from the School of Music, Scala Opera House in Milan this month. by a stimulating and challenging keynote Theatre & Dance visited the South African “This is a relationship I sincerely trust the address by Ahmed Bawa, Professor of College of Music. university and School of Music, Theatre & Physics and Astronomy at Hunter College, Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Dance will cultivate,” Shirley said, “for City University of New York, and former Voice George Shirley, Associate Professor of there are riches that will accrue to both Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research Voice Daniel Washington, and Distinguished institutions. The students and faculty at Innovation at University of KwaZulu-Natal. Professor of Composition Bright Sheng the UCT School of Music enthusiastically Professor Bawa urged those in attendance worked with UCT opera students for a week expressed gratitude for our presence to be critical of the potential disengagement as part of collaboration between the two and for the quality of our teaching. I urge from local circumstances engendered by universities. our administrators to move forward with comparative, multi-site research, and “My visit to Cape Town University’s School equal enthusiasm in securing a reciprocal to ensure a grounded sensitivity to the of Music was inspiring, exhilarating, and arrangement that will expand Michigan’s contexts in which they worked. The second profoundly impressive,” said George Shirley. influence on the African continent and day of the conference was marked by panels “The students whom I heard perform and provide our students and theirs with on the opportunities posed by longitudinal, with whom I worked possessed voices opportunities for interactive learning that demographic surveillance research in Africa, of a caliber one would expect to hear in are truly singular.” and the difficulties of fair collaboration and the finest training centers of Italy. The ASC initiative updates

“HERITAGE MATTERS” CONFERENCE Sarkisian Meet the Scholars started ANTHONY KOFI OSEI-FOSU IN GHANA recording ccra, Ghana is the site of the is a lecturer in the Economics department at African upcoming “Heritage Matters!” Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and music in conference, to be held December Technology (KNUST), will be in residence A 1958, when 15-18, 2009. The conference seeks to at U-M until February 2010. In Osei-Fosu’s he traveled promote awareness and understanding of research project, “The Effective Utilisation of to Ghana the importance of heritage for Ghana and the HIPC Relief Fund for Poverty,” he will be to gather other African societies at the local and assessing the economic impact of the HIPC music for national level, as well as in a global context. fund on poverty reduction in Ghana. Hollywood WILLIAM NARTEH GBLERKPOR Conference participants will examine Leo Sarkisian movies. He the importance of promoting heritage comes to Ann Arbor from the University of spent several awareness among people in government, Ghana, Legon. A lecturer in the department years in Afghanistan and Guinea before tourism, and the arts and culture sectors, of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, being recruited, in 1963, by Edward R. as well as among the general public, with Gblerkpor will be studying the cultural Murrow to work at the newly established an emphasis on how heritage can be a and settlement developments of the Voice of America. Sarkisian moved source of deepening democracy. Conference Krobo of southeastern Ghana, focusing back to the US in 1969, but continued attendees will consider how heritage is on architectural landscaping, and water to travel to Africa to record music. His produced and contested at different levels management techniques, and burial and work has resulted in a one-of-a kind iiii in African societies, examine the role that indigenous religious practices. collection that will be of great interest to GIFTY G. NYANTE heritage plays in creating and sustaining ethnomusicologists, historians, and lay local and global identities, and discuss is a lecturer in the College of Health music lovers alike. Sciences at the University of Ghana, and is Sarkisian’s collection spans the years also a registered midwife and nurse. Her from 1958 to 1993, and includes original research will review the direct and indirect field recordings made by him as well as economic costs of rehabilitation services by African radio personnel. These rare among stroke patients. recordings include both traditional and CECIL VICTOR MADELL modern music from Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, is from the University of Cape Town, and Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Morocco, Niger, will be on the U-M campus through October. Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Tunisia. The Urban and Regional Planning doctoral There are also spoken-word recordings, candidate and lecturer will be focusing his and photographs sent in by his listeners. research on developing an understanding 11 The collection includes such gems as the of local development and poverty reduction only known recording of Louis Armstrong policies in South Africa. performing in Tunisia. UCT Opera School Director Kamal Khan with Welcome to all UMAPS scholars, and Washington, Shirley, and UCT voice students wishing you a happy and productive the potential for advancing creativity and UMAPS residence in Ann Arbor! strengthening civil society in democratic societies. he first four members of the 2009- “Heritage Matters” will offer a critique 10 UMAPS cohort have arrived on of current practices and practice-based Tcampus. strategies for thoughtfully engaging in The UMAPS (U-M African Presidential heritage work. Scholars) program supports the develop- ment of the next generation of African scholars, helping their home institutions “The Music Man” of Africa build capacity. UMAPS brings early-career ne of U-M’s recent archiving faculty members from African universities projects is the Leo Sarkisian African to the U-M for residencies lasting up to Music Collection. Leo Sarkisian is O six months. During their stay, each scholar known in Africa as “The Music Man” for his is paired with a faculty mentor, and has music programs on Voice of America (VOA) full access to U-M’s resources to further radio, which have aired twice weekly for over their work on research projects, academic 40 years. Comprising thousands of reels, degrees, and grant proposals. cassettes, and vinyl records, the collection is This year’s cohort includes scholars who being digitized by the university, with copies The first four UMAPS Scholars arrived in Ann Arbor in Sep- are researching subjects from archaeology to be housed at the U-M, the VOA, and the tember. From left to right: Anthony Kofi Osei-Fosu, William and religious practices to medical Narteh Gblerkpor, Gifty G. Nyante, Cecil Victor Madell National Archives. rehabilitation. Continued from p. 2 Committee on Consumption Tax. Oguttu and Avi-Yonah say that the Avi-Yonah’s participation grew out of visiting scholar/mentor relationship does an email from ASC Director Kelly Askew, not have to be a perfect fit to work: it just inviting him to become a UMAPS mentor. “I requires openness. And just being here in didn’t know anything about this program, Ann Arbor, exposing visiting scholars to and I had no previous involvement with people in their fields of study, building a Africa,” he said. “But they sent me Annet’s network for future collaboration, and taking CV, and I saw immediately that this was advantage of the resources the U-M offers a really good fit. The things that she was is a positive experience for both scholar and writing about were exactly the same things mentor. I’ve been writing about, so I was happy to “I’ve learned a lot from Annet, and I have a book of my own that I want to give “Even in this day and age her to read, because I think one of the when most things are elec- things missing is the perspective from developing countries, where it’s hard to get tronic, it’s hard when you’re adequate materials,” Avi-Yonah said. “From overseas to get exposed to that perspective it can be a really fruitful collaboration. It’s not just a situation where the whole range of the U.S. I can give things and she can receive. It goes debate and literature.” both ways.” Annet Oguttu returns to UNISA with a renewed desire to expand and improve iiii volunteer.” international tax studies there. “One of the Universities throughout Africa face many goals of my coming here was to develop an difficulties. Funding and resources are international tax program at our university, scarce, and because of the overwhelming and I’ve been talking to Professor Avi-Yonah need for instructors, many doctoral about how to come up with a curriculum.” students are pressured into teaching, before She also hopes to become a catalyst in completing their doctoral work; many are helping junior faculty publish and take African Studies Center also recruited away to universities in other advantage of the available resources. Her 1080 South University Avenue countries. The lack of instructors with PhDs participation in a “Writing for Publication” Suite 2620 places African universities at risk of losing workshop at the ASC has inspired her Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106 their international accreditation. U-M is to start similar workshops at the UNISA ph: 734.615.3027 fax: 734.615.3872 hoping to change that trend by developing College of Law to address the challenges [email protected] partnerships with African universities and facing junior faculty in writing articles for 12 providing access to the university’s rich publication. “It would be my pleasure to lift academic resources. upcoming colleagues,” Oguttu said. ©2009 Regents of the University of Michigan Julia Donovan Darlow, Ann Arbor “My view has always been that bringing She also wants to encourage others to Laurence B. Deitch, Bingham Farms people from developing countries to the U.S. apply to the UMAPS program. Denise Ilitch, Bingham Farms Olivia P. Maynard, Goodrich is a much more valuable contribution than “Come here with an open mind,” Oguttu Andrea Fischer Newman, Ann Arbor having me go over there for a week,” Avi- advises prospective scholars, “with the Andrew C. Richner, Grosse Pointe Park S. Martin Taylor, Grosse Pointe Farms Yonah said. “Even in this day and age when attitude that ‘this is a beginning, and I want Katherine E. White, Ann Arbor most things are electronic, it’s hard when to grow’. Focus on what you really want Mary Sue Coleman, ex officio you’re overseas to get exposed to the whole to achieve and be ready to work—because range of the U.S. debate and literature.” there’s no one pushing you. The mentor is The University of Michigan, as an equal Annet Oguttu arrived at the U-M with there to guide you and help you, but you opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding topics in international tax law she hoped should be able to pace yourself and put in nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The to pursue: cracking down on offshore tax as much as you can.” Oguttu’s efforts with University of Michigan is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not shelters, challenges of attributing profits Avi-Yonah have led to three articles ready discriminate on the basis of race, color, national to permanent establishments, and taxation for publication. “Open yourself to work origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, of derivative financial instruments. “Annet hard,” she said. People are just so eager to religion, height, weight, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, came up with interesting projects, and help. I’m really impressed with that, as well.” and admissions. Inquiries or complaints may be I’ve been really interested in reading what Avi-Yonah’s experience working with addressed to the Senior Director for Institutional Equity, and Title IX/Section 504/ADA Coordinator, she’s written, in part from the South African Oguttu has provided renewed focus on Office of Institutional Equity, 2072 Administrative perspective, which I have learned from,” the correlation between development and Services Building, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109- 1432, 734-763-0235, TTY 734-647-1388. For Avi-Yonah said. the status of women. “Bringing a person other University of Michigan information call 734- Reuven Avi-Yonah is the Irwin I. Cohn like Annet—a woman from a developing 764-1817. Professor of Law and the director of the country—here multiplies manifold efforts International Tax L.L.M. Program. He has to bridge the gender gap in Africa,” Avi- served as a consultant to the U.S. Treasury Yonah said. “This is just one individual Design by MM&D and the Organization for Economic Cooper- collaboration, but it has a ‘multiplier’ effect. ation and Development, and currently chairs So I’m hoping this is a beginning of great #090319 the American Bar Association’s Tax Section things to come.”