Special issue on is Africa the land of the future?

Citation

(2010), "Special issue on is Africa the land of the future?", Foresight, Vol. 12 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/fs.2010.27312baa.002

Special issue on is Africa the land of the future?

Article Type: Call for papers From: foresight, Volume 12, Issue 2

Guest Editors: Geci Karuri-Sebina, Olugbenga Adesida and Koffi Kouakou

Overview

At the turn of the century, there was speculation about whether Africa was possibly ``the continent of the future'' with optimistic speculations that the twenty- first century would belong to Africa. About a decade into the new century, there are signs of progress. However, realities on the ground and emerging developments in some parts of the continent paint a trend scenario of a fragile future. Whether based on evidence or wishful thinking, the proposition that Africa is the land of the future requires some reflection. We are in an age where a range of global crises at unprecedented scales abound. Uncertainties about future trajectories and alternatives are a concern for every business, organization, policymaker and community.

For the foresight journal's Special Issue on the theme ``Is Africa the land of the future?'', we invite papers that look at the potential conditions and the roles of Africa and Africans in the future world. In addition to the exploration of possible futures, the theme of the Special Issue also calls for considerations for robust policies and creative strategies that could ensure sustained transformation within the African continent.

Futurists often remind us that the purpose of thinking about the future is not to predict what will happen but rather to consider alternatives. Although we cannot know the future, our aim with this Special Issue is to engage in a dialogue, facilitate creative thinking and provide a platform for new African voices. We want African thinkers and practitioners to propose a range of alternative futures for the continent and make judgments about the assumptions that underpin them.

foresight provides a much-needed forum for sound thinking about the future and focuses on themes and issues which demand a strategic and long-term view. It draws upon the established tools, techniques and methodologies of futures studies (e.g. scenario planning, Delphi, environmental scanning etc.) as well as those of other social science disciplines, and is informed by systems thinking and theories of post-modernism and complexity.

Call

The Special issue will include a set of research/conceptual papers and book reviews on the specified theme. A pre-application process towards full submissions will be undertaken (i.e. submission of abstracts for approval) for efficiency.

Possible topics for essays and papers include but are not limited to:

• •

  The role that Africa will play in the emerging global geo-politics of the twenty- first century

• •

  Africa in the global context on key themes, e.g. geo-politics, environment, economics, culture, security, science and technology, etc.

• •

  Key drivers of change for Africa and the world

• •

  The shape and form of Africa in the future

• •

  Ecological, geo-spatial, and resource perspectives

• •

  Regional perspectives

Book reviews

A few original reviews of books will be considered for inclusion in the Special Issue. The books reviewed must be salient to the main theme, and the reviews must provide useful insights. Kindly contact the guest editor if in doubt about the appropriateness of the book to be reviewed.

Important dates

Submission of abstracts 15 February 2010Notification of successful authors 28 February 2010Final date for submission of manuscripts 30 April 2010Review, comments and notifications to authors 31 May 2010Final papers due 30 July 2010Expected publication October 2010

Instructions for submissions

Abstracts. Abstracts should be prepared using the following format and submitted to: info@sampnode.co.za or faxed to: +27 (0)865 178 278 by 15 February 2010.

Abstract submission: 2010 foresight Journal Special Issue on Africa

Title: Title of proposed paperType: Article; Book reviewAuthor(s): Full names, titles, and primary institutional affiliation (if any) of all authors. Lead author first in bold.Address: Contact details for lead authorCountry: Lead author's first in boldTelephone: Include country codeFax: Include country codeMobile: Include country codeE-mail: Include alternate e-mail if necessaryAbstract: Not more than 300 words please

Topic/Keywords. Select keywords carefully, making sure that they match the theme of the Journal issue

Guidance on preparation of abstracts is available at: http:// info.emeraldinsight.com/authors/guides/abstracts.htm

Papers. Submitted papers should not have been previously published nor be currently under consideration for publication elsewhere.

Send one copy of your submission in the form of an MS Word-compatible file attached to an e-mail. The papers should be e-mailed to the guest editor.The paper submission should also include an updated structured abstract following journal guidelines http://info.emeraldinsight.com/authors/guides/ abstracts.htm

As a guide, articles should be 5,000-7,000 words, and book reviews approximately 1,000 words. A title of not more than eight words should be provided. A brief autobiographical note should be supplied including full name, affiliation, e-mail address and full international contact details. A general submission criteria guide for authors, and other relevant information for submitting papers are available at the journal's web site: http://info.emeraldinsight.com/products/journals/author_guidelines.htm?id=fs

All papers are refereed through a peer review process.

Only upon acceptance, will authors be asked to submit other required documentation and transfer the article to ScholarOne Manuscripts, Emerald's online submission and peer review system.

A selection of papers that are not published in the Special Issue may be considered for publication in a later issue of foresight with the notification and approval of the respective authors.

Submissions to

Guest Editor: 2010 foresight Journal Special Issue on Africa Coordinatorc/o SA Node of the Millennium Project159 Skinner Street, Ground FloorPretoria 0001, South AfricaE-mail: info@sampnode.co.za

About the journal

foresight is an international, peer-reviewed online journal concerned with the study of the future. foresight is considered essential reading for those who need to keep abreast of research and current thinking about the future and for those making the future. The journal has a lively and contemporary feel.

foresight is the only futures studies journal which seeks to cater for the needs of academics, practitioners and policy makers alike by striking a balance between peer-reviewed articles and topical commentaries.

For more information please see the journal web site at: www.emeraldinsight.com/fs.htm