Theme:
Sudanese communities are currently mushrooming in many places around the globe. The diasporas have impacted the home country, economically, politically and socially. Throughout history, Sudanese have lived in different places outside their country for various reasons. They lived as invaders and occupiers such as in ancient Egypt; as prisoners against their will and as material goods during the slave trade and moved to various places in the Middle East and beyond; as expatriates in oil-rich countries of Arabia and North Africa; as refugees and asylum-seekers from war-ravaged areas settling in many places in Europe, North America, Australia, and in many African countries; or as college students and professionals in many foreign countries. The sheer presence of these communities outside Sudan has raised and highlighted several cultural issues regarding citizenship and identity within their host countries as well as in their homeland. With the current political events in the Sudan, the role of the Sudanese diasporic communities should be examined critically not merely in terms of their political discourses and activism, but equally within the context of the global discourse about the Sudan.

Proposals:
The tradition of the SSA conference is to give priority in timing and prominence of presentation to papers that address the theme of the conference, but papers on other issues relating to Sudan are also welcome.

Abstracts of proposed papers (150-200 words) should be received by April 13, 2007. Please send paper abstract to Dr. Benaiah Yongo-Bure, 2007 SSA Panel Organizer, Economics Department, Kettering University, 1700 Third Avenue, Flint, MI 48504 Tel (810)762-9622, e-mail: byongo@kettering.edu. A preliminary program will be announced on April 19, 2007. Late proposals for papers will be considered only if space is available. Proposals and paper abstracts submitted earlier will receive preferential treatment in scheduling. Acceptance for presentation will depend on the quality of the abstract and the judgment of the program committee. Small stipends of $200 are available for assistance to a limited number of graduate students, and interested persons should contact SSA President Dr. Ali Dinar: aadinar@sas.upenn.edu.

Registration forms and fees are available at SSA website and they should be sent to Dr. Richard Lobban, Sudan Studies Association, Rhode Island College, 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence, RI 02908

Accommodation information will be available on SSA website: http://www.sudanstudies.org

DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACTS: APRIL 13, 2007