Format
The 2013 Conference will be organized around the theme: “Regional Integration in Africa”. It will be based on four pillars of integration: movement of goods and services; movement of capital; movement of people; and role and impact of regional institutions. The Conference will comprise a number of plenary sessions, which will feature presentations and discussions by prominent academics, policy makers, business actors and opinion leaders, as well as representatives from development partner organisations.
The break-out sessions will allow for in-depth discussions of salient issues arising from the thematic focus of the Conference, allowing for deeper and more technical analyses. The themes suggested below will make it possible to undertake a broad range of discussions on the current state of Africa’s integration, and generate valuable insights for improved policy making. The following 10 thematic areas will be covered:
- The political economy of Africa’s regional economic integration;
- Institutional integration, policy coordination and convergence;
- Infrastructure and Africa’s regional economic integration;
- The role of the “informal sector” in regional integration;
- Financial integration and emerging financial hubs;
- The economics of agglomeration/production across borders;
- Trade and currency unions’ issues in Africa;
- Africa’s economic geography and regional integration;
- Social integration, gender issues and labour migration;
- Comparative examples from other areas of the world.
Accepted papers will comprise original work not previously published. Young African researchers are especially encouraged to submit their papers. This will provide young African researchers the opportunity to share their work with a broader audience, with a view to extending their network, which is crucial for their future career. As in 2012, a prize will be given to the author of the best paper presented at the Conference, selected by a distinguished panel. The prize will be announced at the closing ceremony.
Sponsorship
On submitting full papers, authors will be requested to indicate whether they require financial support to cover expenses (travel, accommodation and daily allowance) associated with their participation in the Conference. Only one author per paper accepted for presentation will be eligible for support. Support is reserved for presenters and young researchers from African institutions.