Description
Don’t miss the discussion on the decolonization of African history with historian Abdi Bileh Dirir BEd (07') MA (14'), in conversation with Awad Ibrahim, Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusive Excellence at the University of Ottawa.
"Le référendum de 1958 en Côte française des Somalis" by Abdi Bileh BEd (07') MA (14') is a compelling new work that revisits a pivotal yet often misunderstood moment in African and Francophone history, and take part in a conversation that offers an original perspective on the often-overlooked dynamics of decolonization in Francophone Africa.
In 1958, while many territories were moving toward independence, the population of the Côte française des Somalis made the unexpected choice to remain within the French Community, despite significant support for independence. This book offers a nuanced and critical re-examination of that historic referendum. Moving beyond simplified narratives, it restores visibility to local actors and traditional authorities whose voices have long been marginalized in official accounts.
The book will be available on site for $30.
Abdi Bileh Dirir
Historian, author, and Faculty of Education and Faculty of Arts' alumnus
Abdi Bileh Dirir BEd (07') MA (14') is a historian, researcher and promoter of African culture and history. Very active in the community, he is a vice-principal in elementary school, founder of l’Association canadienne pour la promotion des héritages (ACPHA) and former president of the expert group against racism in education at CCUNESCO (2020-2021). Mr. Bileh is the recipient of the prestigious Capital Teaching Excellence Award in 2014 and a Provincial Award from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade for his advocacy work in inclusion and diversity. Finally, he was a candidate for the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence in 2016. An active member in the community, he organizes large-scale national and international events to promote the culture and history of people of African descent. In February 2017, he joined forces with UNESCO to bring together Canadian artists from different backgrounds and origins to join the UNESCO International Coalition of Artists for the General History of Africa, a first in Canada.
Awad Ibrahim
Full professor, Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Excellence
Professor Awad Ibrahim has been appointed Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusive Excellence, for a five-year term beginning on June 1, 2023. Professor Ibrahim is a full professor at the Faculty of Education and holder of the Air Canada Professorship on Anti-Racism.
Professor Ibrahim has contributed significantly to research in the fields of Black youth and popular culture, social foundations, social justice and community service learning, diasporic and continental African identities, ethnography and applied linguistics. He has a track record of funded research, has published widely, and contributed to teaching and graduate supervision in these emerging areas. His expertise will be invaluable in enabling the University of Ottawa to create an inclusive and accessible environment that takes into full account the diversity of its community.