FAQs

1. Who can attend the congress?
The congress is open to all those interested in the relations between Africa and the world. Having as theme Africa Today – times and spaces for transformation, this congress seeks to think upon the changes occurring in African contexts of Iberian expression in the last 40 years, that signal the emergence of five new independent nations, and the final phase of colonial processes in Africa. These revolutionary processes, wars, episodes of violence and democratic transitions would invariably leave traces in the Iberian space – Europe, Americas and Africa –, opening successive liberation and democratization processes. This interdisciplinary forum will explore trans-national connections, global voices and cartographic practises of power that had been developing throughout these last four decades in the heterogeneous spaces that are the Portuguese speaking African countries and their connections with the rest of  the world.

2. Which are the congress working languages?
The accepted working languages will be the Portuguese, the Spanish and the English. No simultaneous translation will be available.

3. What communication proposals can be submitted?
The central structure is composed by self-organized thematic panels, to be proposed by researchers; after the panels are established, the ones interested may submit communications to those panels.

4. What are the procedures to submit a panel?
The panels are self-proposed. A proposal should be sent through the congress web-page. The panel proposal should contain the following information: panel title; abstract of up to 500 words; name(s) of the proponent(s); institutional affiliation; e-mail and complete address. Panel proposals can be constructed in any of the congress languages (Portuguese, Spanish or English) [Other Information]

5. What is the deadline for submission of panel proposals?
Panel proposals should be submitted until April 15, 2014.

6. What is the procedure for submitting a presentation to a panel?
After panel approval by the Congress Scientific Committee, they will be open to submission of presentations by all those interested. The call for presentations, framed in previously approved panels, will be open until June 15, 2014. The final list with indication of all panels and respective participants will be revealed until July 15, 2014.  [Other Information]

7. What is the deadline to submit proposals for presentations within panels?
Proposals for presentations within panels should be submitted until June 15, 2014.

8. How will I know if my panel proposal was accepted?
In May 1st, 2014, all those having submitted panel proposals will be notified by e-mail. The final list with the indication of all panels and respective participants will be revealed until July 15, 2014.

9. Participants will be able to submit more than one presentation during the congress?
Each participant should make one presentation, and can operate as moderator or commentator in other sessions.

10. Communications will be published after? Where will publication be done?
The Organizing Committee of the congress will take responsibility for the posterior publication of presentations. After the end of the congress a revision of the presentations will be asked to authors, one that takes into consideration all comments received and reflexive insights during the congress. All revised texts should be then sent back to us until the end of 2014 in order to be digitally published in the electronic journal of the Centre for Social Studies (e-cadernos ces). The publication of the electronic edition of the presentations will be notified to all participants.

11. Where will the Congress take place?
The Congress will take place at the 11th, 12th and 13th of September 2014, in Coimbra (Portugal), at the Faculty of Economics of The University of Coimbra.  [Other Information]

12. Where will the Congress participants be lodged?
Participants should make direct arrangements for accommodation in hotels in Coimbra. Alternatively, they can choose low cost solutions (University Housings, through a network of solidary accommodation, or in hostels).  [Other Information]


13. Will I have internet access during the congress?Yes. The University of Coimbra possesses a wireless network and all participants will be provided the access keys to this free network (Login and password).

14. Will I get a participation certificate?
Yes. All participants will be given a participation certificate mentioning  the title of his/her communication and/or panel coordination.

15. What is the deadline for payment?
Until August 15th the participants benefit from a reduced fee, provided that he/she registers until this date (inclusive), and makes the respective payment. Registrations after this date (and also on the very day of arrival, at the congress location) will also be accepted, but in these cases payments in cash or cheque will not be accepted (only bank transfers) mas nestes casos não serão aceites pagamentos em dinheiro ou cheque (apenas por transferência bancária), and payment should be completed promptly.  [Registration]

16. Are meals included in the registration fee?
No. Registration fees only gives access to the participation in the congress, coffe-breaks and congress materials. [Where to eat]

17. Will I receive a confirmation after the payment of registration fees?
Yes. At the moment of registration a confirmation will be received with information about how to proceed for paying the fees, and therefore to conclude payment. A transaction confirmation will also be received by all who have made their payment. Only after this process you can consider yourself registered in the Congress.

18. Will I be given documentation in order to get a Visa or fund support?
The Organizing Committee will not be held responsible to get you a Visa or funding, but can, nevertheless, assist in providing documentation needed for the trip, sending you letters of certifications. For all questions relating with this subject please contact: ciea9@ces.uc.pt