In what ways have African religious movements shaped or affected Western states and society and what are the implications for theories on the relationship between the Global North and the Global South?

That will be the core question underpinning a scholarly conference at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School on Friday, April 29, 2016 that will bring together leading intellectuals and practitioners in law and other disciplines from Canada and beyond to listen to each other’s prepared papers, engage in debates, and work toward the formation of an international research network.

The conference will offer a unique platform for national and international academics and religious leaders to examine this question in-depth from an interdisciplinary lens and exchange ideas with the purpose of moving the research agenda on faith-based activism among continental and diasporic Africans forward.

WHAT: African Faith-based Activism in Canada and the Western World: Law, Politics and Socio-Economics. See agenda.

The conference is organized by Obiora Chinedu Okafor, Osgoode Professor & York Research Chair in International and Transnational Legal Studies, and Uwafiokun Idemudia, Associate Professor and Director of the Transition Year Program, York Department of Social Science.

The event is supported by Osgoode/York@50, the Jack and Mae Nathanson Centre (main organizing unit), Founders College and York’s African Studies and International Development Studies Program.

WHEN: Friday, April 29, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Osgoode Hall Law School, Ignat Kaneff Building, Room 2027. See # 32 on the map.

York University is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our 52,000 students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. York students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world’s most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. York U is an internationally recognized research university – our 11 faculties and 24 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide.

Media Contact: Virginia Corner, Communications Manager, Osgoode Hall Law School of York University, 416-736-5820 or vcorner@osgoode.yorku.ca