The African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific (AFSAAP), in collaboration with its partner networks, universities, and community members, invites participants to the Indaba Africa Day 2026 online celebrations. This event will be held on May 23, 2026, from 2:00–4:00 PM (AEST) as part of the broader commemoration of Africa Day.

Indaba 2026 offers a space to celebrate and reflect on African heritage, culture, knowledge, and contributions within the global African academic community. This year’s theme, “Parenting Between Cultures: Raising African Children in the Diaspora,” centres on the lived realities of African families navigating identity, belonging, and cultural continuity across borders. It creates an opportunity for participants to share experiences, exchange ideas, and strengthen connections across cultures and disciplines.

Africa Day, observed each year on May 25, marks the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU). The day serves as an important moment to celebrate Pan-African ideals, reflect on African history, and consider pathways toward socio-economic and political development. The AU’s 2026 theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” highlights pressing developmental priorities across the continent. While this remains a critical issue, AFSAAP Indaba 2026 intentionally turns attention to the equally significant social and cultural dimensions of African life in the diaspora, particularly parenting across cultures.

A defining feature of this year’s Indaba is its intergenerational approach. By bringing together elders and younger participants, the event fosters mutual learning. The concept of indaba itself is rooted in African traditions of collective dialogue. It is both a method of conversation and a framework for research, one that emphasises inclusivity, shared knowledge, and collaborative problem-solving. Central to this approach is the philosophy of Sankofa, looking to the past to inform the present and shape the future. In practice, an indaba values the voices of elders and griots, respects cultural protocols, and celebrates African identity through language, attire, and customs.

Participants are encouraged to actively engage by wearing African attire, using names of respect, and incorporating their languages and cultural expressions into the discussion. This helps create an authentic and immersive environment that honours the richness and diversity of African cultures.

All partners warmly invite everyone, scholars, parents, students, and community members, to register and take part in this meaningful conversation. Whether you have lived experience, academic interest, or simply a desire to learn more, Indaba 2026 provides a welcoming platform to connect, contribute, and grow.

Join the conversation on May 23, 2026, and be part of a shared journey exploring what it means to raise African children across cultures.

For more details go to https://africasocialwork.net/africa-day-indaba-2026-for-australasia-and-the-pacific/

For registration go to https://events.humanitix.com/africa-day-indaba-2026