مؤتمر الدراسات السودانية ال 31 ... وقائع وصور

Quote: On behalf of the ASU team, we are greatly honored and pleased to welcome you all to the 31th SSA Conference. It is our great pleasure and a privilege to have ASU as the host of this historic moment that marks the first and one of the most significant events in the history of our association. Last year, scholars of Sudan Studies decided to keep their organization intact while other Sudanese friends decided to walk away from a repressive regime and an oppressive state. They established their new state which they called the Republic of South Sudan in a clear indication that they called themselves out from the regime and the state not the Sudan. It is a state and a regime that we would not miss when we leave. That is to say, the greater Sudan is entering the 21st century in a very different form and substance than that which we have seen any time before." July 9, 2011, will go down in history not only as a momentous day for the newest state of South Sudan, but also as a significant signpost in the lives of millions of people in that state, in the greater Sudan, in Africa and in the world at large. Neither the issues of unity and separation are yet over, nor are the consequences of past developments now settled. It is true, that many things about ASU the place, reminds us of the Sudan: the heat, the sand, the beautiful mornings, the acacia and palm trees, the dusty Nubian sandstone like hills and the haboob. Not to mention, scorpions and rattle snakes and the camels that grow wild as they were dropped from the memory and care of the Arizonians. However, and at the same time, ASU the institution would stay in our memory as one of the most accommodative, generous educational hosts, and a place which holds a “not-to-be-missed” event. ASU perceives itself as the NEW AMERICAN UNIVERSITY; we at SSA are walking a similar path towards the new Sudan Studies association. Richard Lobban captured the moment when I was telling about ASU’s contribution to this conference by saying “it might be better to hold the coming 10 years SSA conferences at ASU.” On behalf of SSA the association and its members, I would like to thank ASU the institution, its administrators, Faculty, staff and students. Many deserve our thanks as much as their leaders and representatives. My thanks would not be complete if I did not mention first our sponsors : 1- Dr. Robert Page vice provost and dean of the college of interdisciplinary arts and sciences. 2- Dr. Elizabeth Langland, Vice Provost and Dean of the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences (ASU West Campus); and Interim Dean of Humanities 3- Dr. Pat Kenny, Dean of Social Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 4- Dr. Joe Cutter, Director of the School of International Letters and Cultures (SILC) 5- Dr. Mary Margret Fonow, Director of the School of Social Transformation (SST) 6- Dr. Joel Gereboff, Faculty Head of Religious Studies (SHPRS) 7- Dr. Linda Lederman, Outgoing Dean of Social Sciences 8- Dr. Neal Lester, Associate Vice President of the Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development and Professor of English 9- Dr. Linell Cady, Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict 10- Dr. Daniel Rothenberg, professor of practice and executive director of the Center for Law and Global Affairs 11- Dr. Arna Bontemps: Faculty Head African and African American Studies Second my colleagues 1. Dr. Desi Usman African and African American Studies 2. Lisa Aubrey African and African American Studies 3. Stanley James African and African American Studies 4. Akua-Duku Anokye 5. Andrew Barnes History 6. Angelita Reyes African and African American Studies 7. Shahla Talebi Religious Studies 8. Chouki El-Hamel History 9. Eugene Clay Religious studies 10. Dr. Souad Taj-Elsir Ali Last and not least I would like to thank our ASU Golden Team: 1. Roxane Barwick 2. Andrianna 3. Joseph 4. Hannah And of course we thank all those colleagues who are attending the conference and will participate in the discussions; as well as all of our guests. On your behalf I would like to thank our keynote speakers Dr. Princeton Lyman, President Obama’s special envoy to the Sudan and South Soudan and Dr. Salman Mohamed Salman former lead council and water law advisor, legal vice presidency, the World Bank. Special thanks to Hamid Ayoub who gave his permission to use some of his beautiful collections of artistic painting for the conference website and newsletter. We truly value your participation and support for this conference. Thank you so much for coming and for your attention. Thank you. Abdullahi A. Gallab