Welcome to Arrupe Jesuit Unviersity - Department of Research, Innovation, Media and Publication.
WORLD PHILOSOPHY DAY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
PHILOSOPHY AND ICT REVOLUTION IN AFRICA
This is a 2-day interdisciplinary international conference to be held as part of the 2020 World Philosophy Day commemorations. The conference brings together researchers in universities, business, government, computer science, information systems, law, media, anthropology, education, psychology, sociology, philosophy and theology. It seeks to grapple with emerging issues surrounding information and communication technology, focusing particularly on Africa. Philosophy, according to UNESCO, has opened the door for new concepts and innovative ideas, laying the foundations of critical thinking, independence and creativity across cultures for many centuries. The World Philosophy Day that was introduced by UNESCO in 2002 is an opportunity for people to share their philosophical heritage, opening their minds to new ideas, and inspire public debate on society’s challenges. Reflection on contemporary society’s unsolved problems and unanswered questions were always at the heart of philosophical analysis and thinking. It is in this spirit that this conference is organised to reflect on emerging issues on ICT in Africa. Views from the international community of scholars, including scholars from beyond Africa, are welcome.
Theme
Africa, just like the rest of the world, is intensifying the use of and dependence on information and communication technologies (ICT), which in turn have transformed our lives in a variety of ways, so that we cannot imagine living without their help. Dependence on information technologies is steadily increasing in Africa, and it is therefore imperative that we start to discuss ways of minimising or completely avoiding harms and crimes that potentially arise through the use of ICT. Arguably, African values should be adapted to current societal needs, shifting from traditional perspectives without exposure to ICTs to paradigms aligned with current challenges on the continent. There is, therefore, need for a balance. In the process of harnessing the power of ICT itself, we must at the same time strive to survive its negative revolution, and preserve the African values of love, respect and justice founded upon the philosophy of ubuntu. There are a lot of cybernetic phenomena that are of interest to Africa, among them, fraud, violation of privacy, false rumours, obscenity, libel, civil rights violations, and material relating to gambling, drugs, sex and violence, etc. On the whole, the objective of this conference is to develop an integrated family of theories that analyse, evaluate and explain the various principles and concepts of information and Communication Technologies, their dynamics and utilization, giving special attention to systemic issues arising from contexts of application and the interconnections with other key concepts in philosophy, such as knowledge, truth, meaning, reality and ethical values.
We invite submissions that explore this theme, interpreted broadly, as well as those appropriate for more specific issues relevant to the conference theme. The papers may relate to, but are not limited to, the following sub-themes:
- ICT and property rights, including copyrights and patents
- ICT revolution and unemployment
- ICT and violation of privacy
- ICT and human trafficking
- ICT and obscene material including sexual material
- ICT and violence information
- ICT and discrimination and marginalisation along the lines of gender and race
- ICT and libel
- ICT and false information including fake news
- ICT and drugs
- ICT and culture and religion(s)
- Ethics, ICT and Corruption
- Religion and ICT Revolution
- Jurisprudence and ICT Revolution
- Social Media and Friendship
- Social Media, Parenting and Family
- Artificial Intelligence and Artificial stupidity
- Political Revolutions and ICT Revolution
- Gender Violence and ICT Revolution
- African Indigenous Knowledge Systems and ICT Revolution
- Issues of Poverty, development and ICT Revolution
- Aesthetics and ICT Revolution
- Multiculturalism and ICT Revolution
You are invited to send your abstract of not more than 500 words to worldphilosophyday2020@aju.ac.zw not later than 30 April 2020. You have to send your abstract on or before the abstract submission deadline.
- After submission the receipt of the abstract will be acknowledged via an email within three working days.
- Outcome on submitted Abstracts is expected by the end of May 2020.
- The primary language of the conference is English, and your submission should be submitted in English.
- We encourage you to send an informative abstract (complete abstract) which is a compendious summary of the paper’s substance including its background, purpose, methodology, results, and conclusion.
- Full papers for all accepted abstracts should be submitted by the 31st of July 2020
- In your abstract, indicate whether you would want to considered as one of the reviewers for the papers submitted for the conference
- All papers will go through a thorough blinded review process prior to the conference, so that only minor adjustments will be made after the conference to include feedback from participants if necessary.
- Please send in a brief biography together with the Abstract.
- All accepted papers will get a confirmation of acceptance and will be published by a reputable publisher.
Important dates
- Submission deadline for Abstracts: April 30, 2020
- Notification of acceptance/rejection: May 31, 2020
- Submission of final papers: July 31, 2020
- The conference: November 19 – 20, 2020
Email: worldphilosophyday2020@aju.ac.zw
Website: www.aju.ac.zw/worldphilosophyday2020
Registration Fees
Registration on Arrival FOR PARTICIPANTS in USD
Africa-located students & early career scholars
Registration: US$ 5
Africa-located lecturers
Registration: US$ 10
Africa-located international tenured & full time employed
Registration: US$ 50
Outside Africa international students, early career, unemployed
Registration: US $ 30
Outside Africa based international tenured & full time employed
Registration: US $ 150
All Corporates organizations
Registration: US$ 100
Hotel Accommodation
Local hotels starting from US$80 per night