The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Nairobi Research Station, in partnership with the British Institute in East Africa, United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) in Nairobi and USIU-Africa’s Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IPPIA), is hosting JSPS Eastern Africa alumni, local and international scholars for a two-day conference marking Kenya’s 60th anniversary.

In recent years, in the political sphere Kenya’s transformative constitution has witnessed broadened participation and some surprising political transformations. In the economic sphere, Kenya has attracted notable investments from powers such as China, Japan and Turkey together with exponential urbanization. Socially, the country is experiencing a youth bulge with all its opportunities such as increased technological innovation, a more diversified economy, and a thriving cultural space, with increased mobility within, and without its borders. However, all these changes have come with new and old challenges of inequality, corruption, criminality, radicalization and environmental degradation.

Through the broad disciplines of social sciences and humanities the conference will reflect on Kenya and its place in the wider world 60 years after the country attained independence. Over this time, the country has witnessed significant economic, political, social, cultural, and structural shifts. What does it mean now to be an independent and sovereign state? Is the country making any significant progress in these key political and socio-economic areas? What kind of international role does Kenya play and how is it perceived internationally? What kind of political changes have occurred? In what ways have they strengthened the state and allowed it to play a larger international role?

At this historic moment, we invite scholars to submit paper abstracts marking “Kenya@60: Kenya in the Wider World” focusing on any of the following sub-themes.

• Democracy and governance
• History and legacies
• Peace, security and justice
• Foreign policy and Diplomacy
• Kenya’s evolving foreign policy
• Economy and development
• Environment, green energy and natural resource management
• Higher education and knowledge production
• Youth and gender
• The politics of land and justice in Kenya

How to Apply
Abstracts (200-250 words) addressing the suggested themes should be sent to: silanka-miki@overseas.jsps.go.jp and ippia@usiu.ac.ke
The deadline for submission of abstracts is Friday, September 15, 2023.