In 1948 the universality of human rights was affirmed with the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, yet violations of such rights occur today on a daily basis in all parts of the world. What are the implications of these violations? Can the analysis of human rights from Africana and other cultural perspectives provide constructive solutions to these problems? Indeed, can universal human rights exist in a culturally diverse world? The International Society for African Philosophy and Studies invites papers which deal with the relationship between culture, multiculturalism and human rights.

Topics for discussion will include but are not limited to the following themes and sub-themes:

1. Universalism vs. Relativism in Human Rights

2. Indigenous Law, Legal Pluralism and Human Rights

3. Theories of Human Rights (Marxism, Liberalism and Feminist Theory)

4. Legal Issues (International Law, Indigenous/Customary Law, Legal Pluralism and Self-Determination)

5. Health Issues and Human Rights (Circumcision, AIDS, Reproductive Rights, Pharmaceutical Corporations and Drug Trials)

6. Environmental Issues and Human Rights

7. Economics and Human Rights (Access and Equality in Open Markets, The Philosophy and Politics of Poverty Reduction; The World Bank, the IMF and The Debt Burden)

8. War Crimes and Truth & Reconciliation Commissions (International Law and War Crimes, Transitional Justice Philosophy, Justice and Punishment, Rwandan War Crimes & Tribunal and The Gulf War, etc.)

9. Children's Rights (Street Children, Refugee Children, Children in Conflict Situations, & Juvenile Justice)

10. Women's Rights (Feminist Theory, Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Women and Human Rights Law, Women Refugees, Reproductive Rights, Women's Health and Human Rights, Economic Freedom for Women)

11. Religious Perspectives on Human Rights

We welcome papers which do not directly address the theme or sub-themes of the conference, but which are relevant to African Philosophy and African Studies. The organizers therefore welcome the submission of abstracts on topics related to the general concerns which have come to define ISAPS.

We welcome other topics of interest. Selected conference papers will be published in Journal on African Philosophy <africanphilosophy.com>.

Conference Registration Fee
From and including dinner on day 1 through to and including breakfast on day 4, total rate per person is £145.90 + VAT (standard) and £183.40 + VAT (en suite)

Daily rates per person: £54.40 + VAT (standard) and £66.90 + VAT (en suite)

All rates are per person and include: breakfast, morning coffee, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, 4-course evening meals and accommodation.

Membership dues
Members: $80 USD; Students: $40 USD

Abstract Deadline: February 15, 2006.

Online Registration Form

Confirmation letters will be sent out in the beginning of March 2006. Send all abstracts and panel proposals to:

Addresses for Submission of Abstracts:

Barry Hallen
Morehouse College
830 Westview Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30314, USA
bhallen at morehouse.edu

Nkiru Nzegwu
Department of Africana Studies
Binghamton University
Binghamton, NY, 13902-6000 USA
panap at binghamton.edu

For further Information, please contact the Local Organizing Committee at <ka78 at leicester.ac.uk>.
LOC Members: Dr. Kola Abimbola, Secretary of ISAPS, School of Law, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK; Fortune Ihua-Maduenyi, School of Law, University of Leicester, UK; Pedro Tabensky, Center for the Study of Global Ethics, Birmingham, UK.