|
The South African Institute of International Affairs & National University of Rwanda cordially invites you to the conference “China in Africa: Debating Sino-Rwandan relations“.
Background
The dawn of the 21st century brought with it the promise of economic revival for many African countries, driven primarily by surging worldwide demand for Africa’s abundant stock of natural resources and a new realism amongst the continent’s leaders. With it came a renewed interest of foreign governments and companies willing to invest in the continent with China’s own search for new sources of raw materials and markets at the head.
As a result, and in less than a decade, China has achieved a significant economic and diplomatic standing on the continent. Indeed, China has not only become the continent’s major trading partner but has also managed to carved out strong positions in many different sectors, namely, infrastructure rehabilitation and construction, oil and mining. As China’s economic interests in the continent grow deeper its engagement tends to become more complex in its content and outcomes, inflating its influence over the region. Africa has been playing an increasing important role in Chinese foreign policy decision-making and this is of interest to the rest of the world in general and to Africa in particular.
Purpose
The goal of this seminar is to assist African policy makers, institutions, trade unions and civil society to recognise the opportunities and challenges presented by China’s growing commitment to the continent. We wish to make a strong contribution to a better understanding of this new African reality by focusing on, first, China’s growing engagement in specific economic sectors as well as African responses and, secondly, debate the particular case of Sudan, which shall be discussed in detail in the second half of the seminar.
The conference is jointly organised by the South African Institute of International Affairs (China in Africa project) and the National University of Rwanda. Presenters include experienced researchers based in Rwanda, London, South Africa, Zambia and Benin all of which have been following closely this topic for many years. This conference forms part of SAIIA’s ‘China in Africa’ ongoing policy-relevant research aimed at investigating the emerging relationship between China and Africa, analysing the character and content of China’s trade and foreign policy towards the continent, studying the implications of this strategic cooperation in the political, military, economic and diplomatic fields and the impact in regional economic development.
Targeted public
Our targeted public are policy makers (legislative and executive branches), relevant ministries cadres (Foreign Affairs, Finance, Commerce, Infrastructure, Agriculture, etc.), foreign diplomatic missions, IGO’s and NGO’s, academic community, business community, journalists and general public.
Date: 10 June 2011
Time: 09:00, for registration
Venue: Lemigo Hotel, Kimihurura, Kigali - Rwanda
RSVP: Prof. Charles Rutikanga
Email: crutikanga@nur.ac.rw
Please confirm your attendance early as seating will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis.
China in Africa:
Debating Sino-Rwandan relations
SAIIA & National University of Rwanda
Lemigo Hotel - Kigali, 10 June 2011
9:30 - Opening Remarks
Prof.Silas Lwakabamba (Rector National University of Rwanda) & Chris Alden (LSE/ SAIIA China-Africa Programme Director)
10:00 / 13:00 - Part I ‘China in Africa: developments and challenges’
Chairman: Charles Rutikanga (National University of Rwanda)
10:00 - China in Africa: the Challenges of Consolidation
Chris Alden (LSE/ SAIIA China-Africa Programme Director)
10:20 / 10:50– Q & A
10:50 / 11:10 Coffee Break
11:10 – China’s Special Economic Zones in Africa: the Case of Mauritius
Ana C. Alves (SAIIA Research Fellow)
11:30 – Conflict Reconstruction in Liberia: Balancing the Chinese Input and Output
Guillaume Moumouni (National University of Benin/SAIIA Research Associate)
11:50 – Trade, Aid and debt in China-Zambia Relations
Chilufya Chileshe (SAIIA Research Associate)
12:10 / 12:40 - Q & A
12:40-14:30 Lunch Break
14: 30 / 16:30 - Part II ‘Debating Sino-Rwandan relations’
Chairman: Chris Alden (SAIIA China-Africa Programme Director)
14:30 –Bandung 2.0: China's role in Rwanda's Vision 2020
Hamish Stewart (SAIIA Research Associate)
14:50 - Sino-Rwandan Relations: Trade, Investments and Socio Economic Development
Jean de la Croix Nkurayija (Dean Faculty of Arts, Media & Social Sciences, NUR)
15:10 – China-Rwanda Relations: Background and Perspectives
Omar Khalfan Bizuru, (National University of Rwanda)
15:30 - 16: 00 - Q & A
16:00 - 16:20 Closing Remarks |
