International Multidisciplinary Conference – Libreville, November 11–13, 2026 : Rethinking Development Paradigms in African Territories: The Contribution of Innovation in the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH)

African territories face profound demographic, environmental, socio-economic, and urban challenges. In this context, inherited development models—often shaped by external references—struggle to address the specific realities of the continent. This conference, organized by the PoSTer Research Group and the Center for Studies and Research in Political Geosciences and Foresight (CERGEP) at the University of Omar Bongo, invites scholars and practitioners to rethink these paradigms by mobilizing innovation in the Social Sciences and Humanities as a driver for territorial transformation.

Structured around six thematic axes—endogenous development, methodological innovation, cultural dynamics, ecological resilience, migration, and geopolitical reconfigurations—this event offers an interdisciplinary space for reflection, co-construction, and proposals toward a resilient Africa rooted in its territories.

More information : https://espacesafricains.org

Contacts : colloqueposter2026@gmail.com / poster_ujlog@espacesafricains.org

📍 Location: Omar Bongo University, Libreville, Gabon 📅 Dates: November 11, 12, and 13, 2026

CONTEXT AND JUSTIFICATION

 African territories face multidimensional challenges, including rapid population growth (with a projected 2.5 billion inhabitants by 2050, according to the UN), persistent socio-economic inequalities, increased climate pressures, and rampant urbanization that is expected to affect 60% of the African population by the same period. The inherited development models, often based on Western references, struggle to integrate the cultural, historical, and spatial specificities of African contexts (Amin, 1976: 201; Escobar, 1995: 10), thereby marginalizing local knowledge and limiting the resilience of territories in the face of global crises.

In this context, the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) constitute a crucial lever for innovation to rethink these paradigms. This is achieved by mobilizing participatory methodologies, decolonial theoretical frameworks, and interdisciplinary tools. This conference aligns with this dynamic, drawing on Mkandawire’s (2001: 290) critical analyses regarding the necessity to move beyond statist and globalized visions of development, as well as Ferguson’s (1990: 255) studies on the paradoxical effects of international policies in Africa. It aims to explore how innovation in HSS can contribute to transforming development approaches to better respond to African territorial realities.

Thus, the conference will also examine innovative approaches in HSS, notably participatory methodologies and transdisciplinary tools, capable of effectively addressing the challenges of sustainable development in Africa (Escobar, 1995: 10). Furthermore, a key objective is to foster interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder dialogue, promoting the co-construction of solutions tailored to local contexts. This approach is consistent with Mkandawire's (2001: 290) critiques on the need to transcend statist and globalized visions of development. Finally, the conference will seek to formulate concrete recommendations for public policies and territorial development initiatives in Africa, leveraging innovation for a more inclusive and sustainable governance of territories.

The event will be organized around six key research themes:

THEME 1 : RETHINKING TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT—DECONSTRUCTING IMPORTED MODELS AND VALUING LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

This theme invites a critical analysis of the dominant development paradigms, often derived from Western or globalized conceptual frameworks, whose application in African territories frequently proves inadequate in addressing local historical, cultural, and social realities. Through the lens of HSS, the goal is to explore the creation of more endogenous and contextualized models by systematically deconstructing exogenous approaches—such as those promoted by institutions like the IMF or the World Bank—and assessing their spatial and societal impacts on African territorial dynamics.Additionally, this theme examines the reintegration of indigenous knowledge—including traditional land management practices, agrarian systems, and community solidarity mechanisms—into contemporary development strategies. It further explores the dialectics between modernity and cultural heritage in urban and rural configurations, considering the role of historical narratives and collective memories as foundations for territorially grounded approaches. Key questions are : How can HSS legitimize and formalize local knowledge against dominant institutional discourses? What methodological tools—such as participatory mapping, sensory approaches, or oral tradition analysis—can help operationalize the integration of territorial realities into public policies? What exemplary case studies illustrate how African communities adapt imported models to the specificities of their socio-spatial contexts?

THEME 2 : INNOVATION IN HSS—NEW METHODOLOGIES AND THEIR APPLICATION TO DEVELOPMENT

This theme highlights emerging methodological innovations in HSS—whether qualitative, quantitative, or hybrid—and examines their transformative potential in understanding and addressing the complex challenges of development in Africa. It aims to demonstrate how these innovative approaches—such as digital ethnography, which leverages social networks to capture contemporary social dynamics; participatory co-construction methodologies involving local communities (such as action research); spatial analysis and geomatics for mapping inequalities and territorial resources; or interdisciplinary approaches combining HSS and natural sciences (e.g., socio-ecology or resilience studies)—can renew analytical and intervention frameworks. Fundamental questions guiding this theme are : To what extent can digital tools, such as big data or artificial intelligence, be adapted to African contexts marked by limited infrastructures ? What are the advantages and constraints inherent to participatory approaches in the design and implementation of development projects ? How can HSS foster fruitful collaborations with hard sciences to develop integrated solutions, both scientifically robust and anchored in African territorial realities ?

THEME 3 : SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DYNAMICS—THE ROLE OF IDENTITIES, COMMUNITY PRACTICES, AND HISTORICAL LEGACIES

This theme explores how social and cultural dimensions, often marginalized in conventional development strategies, can be leveraged as essential vectors for the creation of more inclusive and resilient paradigms in Africa. It seeks to analyze the interconnections between identity, collective practices, and territorial resilience, focusing on aspects such as the influence of kinship systems and community networks on local economies and crisis management ; the role of languages, arts, and intangible heritage in strengthening social cohesion and supporting development; and the impact of migration, whether internal or international, on the recomposition of territorial identities. Additionally, this theme proposes a reassessment of colonial and precolonial legacies in the formulation of contemporary policies. Key areas for reflection are : How can cultural practices, such as traditional markets or rituals, inspire sustainable and locally rooted economic models ? What role do young generations play in reinventing territorial identities amid the pressures of globalization ? How do new forms of media expression—from digital narratives to politically engaged artistic productions—contribute to the construction and dissemination of endogenous territorial models ? Ultimately, how can HSS help overcome identity conflicts to foster a harmonious integration of cultural dynamics into development projects ?

THEME 4: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND RESILIENCE—THE CONTRIBUTION OF HSS TO CLIMATE ADAPTATION, SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT, AND RESOURCE GOVERNANCE

In light of intensifying environmental challenges, this theme examines how HSS can enrich sustainable development approaches by integrating human dimensions—such as behavior, perceptions, and governance models—into the management of ecosystems and natural resources in Africa. It focuses on local perceptions of climate change and the adaptation strategies developed by communities, the role of HSS in mediating conflicts related to resource access (water, land, forests), as well as the valorization of traditional ecological knowledge, including sustainable agricultural practices and pasture management. Additionally, this theme explores environmental inequalities and their impact on vulnerable populations, questioning spatial justice dynamics within socio-ecological systems. Key areas for reflection are : How can local narratives and beliefs be leveraged to strengthen ecosystem resilience, particularly in human societies facing natural disasters ? What HSS-based tools can help assess social acceptability of ecological initiatives, such as renewable energy projects or reforestation programs ? How can Humanities and Social Sciences foster harmonious synergy between climate justice and territorial development, ensuring ecological sustainability while addressing Africa’s specific socio-economic realities ?

THEME 5: MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT—IMPACTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF MIGRATION DYNAMICS IN AFRICA

This theme examines internal (rural-urban), regional, and international migrations as structuring phenomena in territorial development across Africa. It explores their impacts on socio-economic dynamics (such as remittances, urbanization, and labor markets), cultural transformations (identity recomposition), and political structures (cross-border governance). Additionally, it considers migration’s potential as a lever for innovation and resilience. HSS play a crucial role in analyzing migration narratives, diasporic networks, and tensions related to mobility, such as land conflicts and xenophobia. Key questions guiding this theme are : How do internal migrations shape urban and rural territories ? What is the role of diasporas in financing and driving local development innovations ? How can Humanities and Social Sciences contribute to the creation of inclusive and sustainable migration policies ?

THEME 6: POLITICAL GEOSCIENCES AND TERRITORIAL FORESIGHT—INNOVATIONS IN POWER DYNAMICS AND RECONFIGURATIONS OF AUTHORITY IN AFRICA

This theme examines power dynamics and territorial rivalries, reshaping development strategies in Africa. In a context of accelerated geopolitical transformations—marked by the emergence of new alliances such as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), the rise of renewed political elites in certain African countries, and assertions of power by nations like Rwanda, Algeria, or South Africa within a highly tense multipolar global system—Africa emerges as a key indicator of contemporary geopolitical shifts and global reconfigurations. Innovation in HSS provides critical insights into these transformations and their implications on governance, conflicts, and emerging cooperation frameworks. The resurgence of coups d’état, the redefinition of political succession models, the fragility of certain states, and foreign interferences challenge development models established in the early 2000s. Territorial foresight sheds light on these reconfigurations, analyzing strategies for power consolidation, regional integration dynamics, and competition over strategic resources. Key areas for reflection are: How does innovation in HSS renew the analysis of power dynamics in Africa ? What foresight tools can help anticipate political and territorial reconfigurations ? What role do alliances and regional geopolitical shifts play in navigating global tensions ? This theme explores the balance between institutional stability and geopolitical transformations, offering an innovative perspective on African trajectories within a rapidly evolving global landscape.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY

Amin, S. (1976). Unequal Development: An Essay on the Social Formations of Peripheral Capitalism. New York: Monthly Review Press.

Assako Assako R. J (2020). Géographie transcendante : Outils conceptuels et méthodologiques pour géographier autrement en Afrique. 

Brahim, A. (2014). Innovations sociétales en Afrique : Pour une nouvelle approche du développement. Casablanca : Editions Afrique-Orient.

Diop, M. (2010). Les nouveaux défis du développement en Afrique : Vers une innovation endogène. Dakar: Editions L'Harmattan.

Ferguson, J. (1990). The Anti-Politics Machine: "Development," Depoliticization, and Bureaucratic Power in Lesotho. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Gwaindepi, M. (2018). Rural Development in Africa: A Geo-Developmental Approach. Harare: Zimbabwe Publishing House.

Mbembe, A. (2001). On the Postcolony. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Mkandawire, T. (2001). Thinking about Development: A Critical Perspective. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Nkrumah, K. (1965). Neocolonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism. London: Thomas Nelson & Sons.

Sarr, A. (2012). La géographie du développement durable en Afrique : Approches critiques et alternatives. Dakar : Les Editions de l'Université Cheikh Anta Diop.

Teshome, H. (2016). The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in the African Development Paradigm. Addis Ababa: University Press.

GUIDELINES

The conference secretariat proposals for communications must fall within one of the six research themes outlined above, corresponding to six workshops scheduled for November 11, 12, and 13, 2026, at Université Omar Bongo (Libreville, Gabon). Submissions should be sent via email (Word format) to the following addresses : colloqueposter2026@gmail.com / poster_ujlog@espacesafricains.org.

Deadline for abstract submission: December 7, 2025. The conference secretariat will send a confirmation of receipt to all authors who submit a communication proposal. The Scientific Committee will notify authors of the selection results no later than February 15, 2026. The final full texts of accepted communications must be submitted to the conference secretariat, following the same submission process as the abstracts, no later than June 14, 2026.

Additionally, a scientific article version of these communications may be submitted on the same date for selection and potential publication in a special issue of the journal Espaces Africains, published by the PoSTer Research Group:  https://espacesafricains.org/.

REGISTRATION FEES

The registration fees for conference participants are set as follows:

• Faculty – Researchers : 50,000 CFA francs (76.29 euros or 81.17 dollars);
• • Doctoral students – Researchers : 30,000 CFA francs (45.77 euros or 48.7 dollars);
• • Industrial, professional, or other : 100,000 CFA francs (152.56 euros or 164.32 dollars).

These fees cover documentation, coffee breaks, three lunches (November 11, 12, and 13, 2026), and publication of proceedings for the papers selected by the scientific committee.

NB: Payments by Mobile Money, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Ria in the name of Chancia Léonilde NYINGUEMA NDONG: + 241 74 92 54 97