Cosmo-Ubuntu: Toward a New (Exterior to Modernity) Theorizing about the Human, the Cosmos, and Education
Abstract
Prior to COVID-19, the CIES 2020 Program Committee had begun integrating virtual participation options to expand access and reduce the conference carbon footprint. In parallel, for several years, the African Special InterestGroup (ASIG) has been engaged in efforts to increase conference access by integrating a virtual component into the annual meetings. In 2019, ASIG was finally able to experiment with a contributor to the Bantaba,1Kabba Colley,who was featured via Skype.2However, in response to the global health crisis,the entire CIES 2020 conference became virtual, that is, vCIES, and its call for climate consciousness and access aligned with the challenges of COVID-19restrictions for travel and reliance on virtual platforms such as Zoom. This move opened an opportunity for ASIG members, previously unable to travel to the conference, to attend and participate in its events, including a virtual adaptation of the Bantaba, ASIG’s usual signature event. CIES and ASIG’s preparedness paid off, and ASIG is committed to continuing to offer a Global vBantabaand other hybrid options going forward to allow for more people based in Africa to attend and participate in the conference and ASIG events. This is particularly important for people in institutions that do not enjoy large travel budgets. However, it is critical to address connectivity issues, as virtual participation is also a privilege that is not enjoyed by a majority of people on the continent (Huawei Technologies 2019).
Abstract
Prior to COVID-19, the CIES 2020 Program Committee had begun integrating virtual participation options to expand access and reduce the conference carbon footprint. In parallel, for several years, the African Special InterestGroup (ASIG) has been engaged in efforts to increase conference access by integrating a virtual component into the annual meetings. In 2019, ASIG was finally able to experiment with a contributor to the Bantaba,1Kabba Colley,who was featured via Skype.2However, in response to the global health crisis,the entire CIES 2020 conference became virtual, that is, vCIES, and its call for climate consciousness and access aligned with the challenges of COVID-19restrictions for travel and reliance on virtual platforms such as Zoom. This move opened an opportunity for ASIG members, previously unable to travel to the conference, to attend and participate in its events, including a virtual adaptation of the Bantaba, ASIG’s usual signature event. CIES and ASIG’s preparedness paid off, and ASIG is committed to continuing to offer a Global vBantabaand other hybrid options going forward to allow for more people based in Africa to attend and participate in the conference and ASIG events. This is particularly important for people in institutions that do not enjoy large travel budgets. However, it is critical to address connectivity issues, as virtual participation is also a privilege that is not enjoyed by a majority of people on the continent (Huawei Technologies 2019).
