April 10, 2002

Contact: Ranjit Arab, University Relations, (785) 864-8855.

African activist, diplomat returns to KU for two-week lecture stay

LAWRENCE -- African activist and diplomat Walter Bgoya's visit to the University of Kansas this week for a lecture stay spanning two weeks also is a homecoming.

Bgoya, a distinguished alumnus who graduated from KU in political science and economics in 1965, will be at KU for a series of guest lectures through April 17, as well as to participate in "The Unfinished Business of the Cold War," a symposium co-sponsored by KU and Johnson County Community College.

Even as a KU student in the 1960s, Bgoya was a committed activist. He is credited with securing housing rights for black students on campus.

After graduating from KU, Bgoya returned to his native Tanzania, where he served on that country's delegation to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. He was a prominent figure in the African liberation movements from South Africa, Mozambique, Angola and many other countries. He also played a major part in the Burundi peace negotiations that were eventually taken over by Nelson Mandela.

His lectures on campus will include a two-part autobiographical account of his journey from campus activism at KU to civil rights activism in the African liberation movements.

Bgoya, who also is an acclaimed publisher, lectured on African literature and gave an overview of Africa to an introductory African studies class at KU on April 9.

The African Studies Resource Center at KU and the Hall Center for the Humanities co-sponsor Bgoya's two-week lecture stay. John Janzen, professor of anthropology and director of the African Studies Resource Center, said he hoped students would take full advantage of the perspective Bgoya has to offer.

"He is someone who has connections to many of the current issues in several parts of Africa," Janzen said. "He's also someone who walks right out of the corridors of influence and ideas and can speak to our students as an alumnus."

Following is the list of Bgoya's scheduled lectures:

Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, April 10: "From KU Student Activism to African Liberation, Part I," political science brown bag; 525 Blake Hall.

Noon-1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11: "From KU Student Activism to African Liberation, Part II," brown bag luncheon; Kansas Room, Kansas Union.

1:15-2 p.m. Friday, April 12: "Africa's 100 Best Books of the 20th Century: An African Publisher's Response," part of Regional Africana Collection Development Conference; Frontier Room, 105 Burge Union.

10 a.m. Saturday, April 13: "Africa During and Since the End of the Cold War: The Politics of Non-alignment," plenary talk, outreach conference on "The Unfinished Business of the Cold War"; 233 GEB, Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park.

4 p.m. Tuesday, April 16: "African Language Publishing in East Africa," part of African studies seminar on postcolonial culture and identities; Kansas Room, Kansas Union.

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17: "Whatever Happened to the Cold War?"; Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th St., Kansas City, Mo.