Una Hosts 2014 Kessa Conference

Jul. 16, 2014

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

By Bryan Rachal, Public Affairs and Media Relations

FLORENCE, Ala. - The University of North Alabama is teaming up with the Kenya Scholars and Studies Association to host the 7th annual KESSA Conference September 5 and 6 at the Guillot University Center on Campus. Abstract submission is ongoing but registration will run from August 1 - 14, 2014. All conference registration and payment will be online at KESSA.org. UNA faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend and/or present at the conference.

The conference will be addressed by, among others, Dr. Njoki Wane, professor of Social Justice Education at the University of Toronto and Ms. Jean Kamau, Kenyan Ambassador to the United States.

The theme of this year's event is "Environment and Security: Perspectives on Kenya's Resources." As part of the conference, a forum will be provided to explore the connections between environment and security issues, their underlying scientific and socio-economic threads, and the policy and governance structures needed to address the security risks posed by a rapidly changing environment.

Participants are encouraged to submit 250-word (or less) abstracts that cover seven key sub-themes including: climate change and security, food security, energy security, water security, environment and public health security, education, science and technology security, and economic security. Papers presented at the conference will be published at proceedings following the conference, and awards will be given for the best graduate and undergraduate papers and posters.

KESSA is an Ohio-based professional organization UNA geography professor Dr. Francis Koti helped found in 2007. Koti noted that this event is taking place on campus thanks to President Bill Cale for extending an invitation to KESSA on behalf of UNA. In his invitation letter to the group Cale remarked, "I believe that KESSA's activities on our campus will open a new opportunity for intellectual engagement for our students, faculty and staff- something we greatly value in our institution."

For more information: Dr. Francis Koti at 256.765.4219 or ftkoti@una.edu. Additional information can be found at www.kessa.org.

Kenya Scholars and Studies Association
Kenya Scholars and Studies Association (KESSA) is an independent nonprofit professional association established in the State of Ohio in the United States for the exclusive purpose of advancing scholarly, scientific, and research work on the Republic of Kenya. Its membership is drawn from all disciplines and persuasions.