Conference 2026
ݮƵ's 12th Annual Conference on Genocide and Human Rights in Africa and the Diaspora
Breaking the Cycle: From Re-membrance to Prevention
March 2,3, and 4, 2026
ݮƵ
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60625
Conference Highlights
The Center for Genocide and Human Rights Research in Africa and the Diaspora will host its 12th annual conference at NEIU on March 2-4, 2026. It will focus on the link between the memory of past genocides and the prevention of future atrocities. How can the cycle of violence be broken, when the pain of the past can both inhibit the risk of political engagement and fuel the resentment of civil conflict? In June 2025, the United Nations celebrated the twentieth anniversary of its Responsibility to Protect, a mandate addressing the memory of international paralysis in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. Yet this commitment has failed to stem the tide of civilian deaths on a global scale. According to the Secretary-General’s report, “The alarming increase in serious allegations of atrocity crimes points to a widespread deterioration in respect for international norms. Many States are rolling back fundamental freedoms and human rights. Repression and persecution are on the rise.” Indeed, few failures have more profoundly undermined the credibility of the multilateral system than its inability to prevent or put a stop to genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.
Keynote Speaker
We are incredibly honored to announce that the distinguished South African activist, medical doctor, and global leader, Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, will be the keynote speaker for our 12th Annual Conference. Dr. Ramphele's life and career embody the fight for justice and human dignity. As a co-founder of the Black Consciousness Movement alongside Steve Biko, she was a pivotal figure in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Her unwavering commitment to liberation, even in the face of detention and persecution by the state, provides a powerful and deeply personal perspective on the themes of our conference. Her work on psycho-social liberation as a necessary component of true emancipation will bring an invaluable dimension to our discussions on preventing genocide and protecting human rights. Beyond her celebrated history as an activist, Dr. Ramphele has broken barriers in academia as the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town and in global development as a past Managing Director of the World Bank. Her unique, multi-disciplinary expertise offers profound insights into the systemic roots of conflict and oppression.
We are thrilled to offer our attendees the opportunity to hear from one of the world's most inspiring and influential voices on human rights.
