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The (Im)pertinence
of Alternatives

Dialogues of African Perspectives on a World in Crisis

5 - 9 October 2026

Online conference

REGISTER

Illustration of paperclips with alternating white and gold colors arranged on a black background.

The (Im)pertinence
of Alternatives

Dialogues of African Perspectives on a World in Crisis

5 - 9 October 2026

Online conference

REGISTER

What do these times
ask of us?

Nakhanu Wafula is a Kenyan communication designer specializing in social innovation, human-centered design, and community impact.

Djolifon's first online conference, The (Im)pertinence of Alternatives, Dialogues of African Perspectives on a World in Crisis, aims to weave a tapestry of intergenerational, trans-local, trans-disciplinary, and trans-professional African perspectives on this moment of unprecedented convergence of existential, civilizational, and environmental crises. It is an invitation to collectively articulate and foreground other and othered understandings of the work to be done and the journey yet to be traveled.

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In a world grappling with a confluence of interconnected crises, this conference convenes to dissect the profound environmental, civilizational, economic, geopolitical, and social shifts currently reshaping the landscape of international relations. A central focus will be on understanding and defining the evolving position of African countries within this dynamic global order. Our dialogues will delve into several key themes designed to foster critical analysis and actionable insights:

Gen Z : The (im)possibilities of alternatives

Gen Z and the (Im)possibilities of Alternatives

This theme will connect the perspectives and insights of Gen Z activists to current global challenges. It will explore the impacts of their political actions and examine their political proposals for addressing their key issues. The aim is to amplify how this generation is driving change and explore the innovative approaches they are bringing to the struggle.

The Stakes of Hyper-Imperialism

Amidst a shifting paradigm of globalization, this theme will critically examine the concept of hyper-imperialism and its implications for African people and nations. Our discussions will aim to highlight and celebrate viable other and othered pathways through which African people and institutions are resisting—or can better resist—violent, extractive, and exploitative global dynamics. Crucially, this theme will also spotlight alternatives and voices championing an equitable ecological transition.

Art, Ethics, and Spirituality in a World in Peril

This multifaceted theme acknowledges the critical role of diverse artistic practices in stimulating imagination and fostering new modes of perception and understanding in the face of global crises. It will investigate how art can serve as a catalyst for challenging existing narratives and envisioning alternative futures that value humanity’s ethical and spiritual needs as highly as our material needs. These sessions will therefore examine essential ethical principles for navigating the complex dilemmas of our time and explore the restorative and transformative power of spiritual traditions to offer solace and meaning and foster individual and collective resilience.

Post-activism

The present moment compels a sober assessment of our limitations and demands that we confront our fears and failures and embrace the enduring power of our dreams. This theme will grapple with the urgent question of what new forms of civic engagement, social mobilization, and collective action may be needed to address the multifaceted complexities of contemporary issues. It will explore the critical conditions and enabling environments necessary for other forms of activism to take root and flourish.

In dealing with all these themes, this conference is designed to go beyond mere analysis to illuminate and foreground diverse and often marginalized understandings of and experimentations with the critical work that lies ahead. The complex, multifaceted nature of the journey yet to be traveled demands no less. We are committed to bringing together the widest possible range of voices and experiences in a respectful and constructive environment to contribute to shaping our shared future.

The conference is fully bilingual (English and French) for both the formal and informal sessions. spaces.

CONTRIBUTORS

S.N. Nyeck is a professor and researcher specializing in gender studies, sexualities, and queer politics within African and African diaspora contexts.

Dr. SN Nyeck
Cameroon/USA

Anésio Manhiça
Mozambique

Anésio Manhiça is a Mozambican social anthropologist and recipient of the Christian Geffray Prize, specializing in the study of youth, entrepreneurship, and urban civic expressions in Maputo.
Margaret LoWilla Nyoka is a South Sudanese researcher and activist specializing in African feminisms and the impact of technology on development, recognized for her expertise in leadership, peace, and security in Africa.

Ms Maggie LoWilla
South Sudan

Ali Rhidha Khan
South Africa

Ali Ridha Khan is a researcher and Fellow at the Centre for Humanities Research at the University of the Western Cape. He explores neocolonialism, neoliberalism, and aesthetics to reimagine the humanities through artistic collaborations.
Reyhanath Toure Mamadou is a Togolese entrepreneur, coach, and activist committed to women’s rights and female empowerment.

Reyhanath Toure Mamadou
Togo

Dr-Hamza-Hamouchene
Algeria/UK

Dr Hamza Hamouchene is an Algerian researcher-activist based in London, recognized for his work on extractivism, food sovereignty, and climate justice in North Africa.
Elhadj Ould Brahim is a Mauritanian anthropologist and researcher whose work focuses on documenting Haratine musical traditions, the ethnography of Bidans, and issues related to gender, religiosity, and slavery.

Elhadj Ould Brahim
Mauritania

Carrie Shelver
South Africa

Carrie Shelver is a human rights advocate and director of the Geneva office of the Sexual Rights Initiative. Her work focuses on combating gender-based violence across Africa and within humanitarian action contexts.
A smiling man of African descent with short hair and a beard, wearing a gray and white collared shirt with a crest on the chest, standing outdoors with blurred green background.

François Bouda
Burkina Faso

Patricia McFadden
Eswatini

Patricia McFadden is a Swazi sociologist and pan-African activist, recognized as a major figure in decolonial feminism in Africa, specializing in the analysis of the intersections between patriarchy, race, and capitalism.
Haidar Eid is a Palestinian literary critic and researcher at the University of Pretoria. A former professor in Gaza and author of *Decolonizing the Palestinian Mind*, his work is deeply inspired by the South African anti-apartheid struggle.

Prof Haidar Eid
Palestine

Jessica Horn is a philanthropic leader and co-founder of the African Feminist Forum. Her holistic approach integrates mental health, care, and artistic expression into the fight for social justice in Africa.

Jessica Horn
Uganda

Geci Karuri-Sebina
South Africa

Geci Karuri-Sebina is an urbanist and director of the Civic Tech Innovation Network. Her work focuses on civic technologies, planning for cities in the Global South, and the development of decolonized futures.


Mireille Fanon-Mendes
France

Mireille Fanon-Mendès-France is an international jurist and activist, president of the Frantz Fanon Foundation and former UN expert specializing in the fight against systemic racism.
An Ivorian digital storyteller and tourism marketing expert promoting African cultures, heritage, and destinations.


Prince Franck Edja
Côte d’Ivoire

A researcher whose work explores identity, knowledge production, and cultural exchanges between Africa and the Arab world.


Assala Mdawkhy
Tunisia

A Kenyan social entrepreneur committed to sustainable development, community innovation, and youth empowerment.


Joan Kinyua
Kenya

Héla Ammar
Tunisia

A Tunisian visual artist whose work examines memory, identity, gender, and social issues through photography and installation art.
A Togolese singer blending soul, jazz, R&B, and African sounds to promote self-acceptance and cultural identity.


Noire Velours
Benin-Togo

A historian specializing in African diasporas and Pan-African movements.

Omar H. Ali, Ph.D
U.S.A

A Cameroonian researcher whose work explores decolonial approaches, African legal systems, and informal economies.


Feukeu Eva Kwamou



Luam Kidane
Eritrea

An Eritrean researcher and strategist focused on decolonization, social movements, food sovereignty, and climate justice in Africa.


Do Nsoseme
DRC

A Congolese multidisciplinary artist whose work explores women's rights, identity, and social justice through slam poetry, photography, and visual arts.


Reem Aljeally
Sudan


Tatiana Gicheru
Kenya

A Sahrawi activist advocating for women's rights, education, and climate justice in refugee communities.


Prof. Kwame Karikari
Ghana

A Ghanaian scholar and media expert known for his work on journalism, media development, and press freedom in Africa.


Najla Mohamed-Lamin Salma Occupied Sahara

Black and white close-up photograph of fallen dry leaves with visible veins.

FORMAT

  • “Grins” are daily and/or weekly hangouts around a teapot, under a tree, where friends meet for discussion and conversation on (in no particular order) the state of their community, country, continent, and world. Our Grins will have a similar spirit, but with predetermined topics to guide dialogues.

  • Formal sessions that will weave together a tapestry of perspectives and pathway ideas to illuminate the richness of what is already possible and what could be other.wise.

  • Designed to frame the theme of the day, but inspired by the butterfly effect, which posits that even seemingly insignificant actions or ideas can have important, far-reaching outcomes.

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SESSIONS

The program outlines a series of enriching experiences, each designed to engage our sense of togetherness, provoke (re)imaginations and nourish our individual and collective commitment to bringing forth other and othered pathways.

VIEW SESSIONS

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5 - 9 October 2026

OUR APPROACH

As both facilitator and co-conspirator, Djolifon strives to co-create spaces, lines of inquiry, approaches, and processes with as diverse a range of individuals, collectives, and networks exploring how to respond to the crises of our time as we can. Our continuously adaptive approach reflects a passion for critical connections, a deep appreciation of our interconnectedness with all that exists, and the wisdom to be found in the marginalized or overlooked peripheries of discourse and practices.

Credits: Illustrations by Edizon Musavuli; video by Anastasie Langu Lawinner; collage by Nakhanu Wafula; photos by Mariam S. Armisen and website by Terry Nerima.

VALUES UPHELD BY THE CONFERENCE

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TRANSMISSION

Reciprocity in artistic praxis and activism through intergenerational, translocal, transdisciplinary, and transprofessional entanglements that seek and welcome enrichment of the tapestry of inquiry, approaches, processes, and interactions of our collective attempt to forge the other.wise.

A boy wearing yellow shorts is crouched near the edge of a small stream in a grassy area, with trees in the background.

Plurality

Celebrating the diversity of perspectives, cultures, ideologies, and identities (whether based on ethnicity, religion, gender expression, sexual orientation, or physical ability), that characterize the African continent.

A black and white photo of a large, old tree with a broken top, wrapped with woven bamboo or rattan, in an outdoor area with bricks, containers, and a building in the background.

Action

A detailed monochrome drawing of multiple intertwined hands and faces, with some hands holding or reaching for objects like a ruler and a saw.

Relational

Emphasizing the beauty and tenderness of human connection, collaboration, and solidarity.

© 2026 The (Im)pertinence of Alternatives

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