After a landmark 2025 gathering at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), the US Africa Collaborative, Inc. has opened its official Call for Papers and Presentations for the 2026 Pan African City Symposium and Exposition, scheduled for June 22–29, 2026, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
This year’s theme, “Smart FUTURES: From Smart Villages to Smart Economies,” invites global scholars, practitioners, policymakers, architects, artists, community builders, and students to explore new models that create resilient, equitable, regenerative, and thriving communities across the African Diaspora.
Elizabeth S. Glenn, Chair of the US Africa Collaborative, explains that “Smart Futures” is fundamentally about people, culture, and place—not just technology.
“Smart futures begin in the village — in the ways we care for people, culture, and the land. Technology comes after humanity, not before.”
She notes that Smart Villages prioritize local knowledge, cultural identity, and sustainability before digital infrastructure. When communities are strengthened at the village or town level, they become the foundation for smart cities and smart economies.
The Collaborative continues to shift the narrative from importing solutions to co-creating them with communities.
A Global, Cross-Sector Convening
Last year’s conference at UDC highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary problem-solving, a tradition that continues in 2026.
The Symposium brings together architects, policymakers, investors, artists, housing practitioners, and students from multiple continents, reinforcing that housing and human settlements are not only architecture challenges but economic, cultural, environmental, and governance challenges.
“We solve complex challenges by bringing everyone to the table — not just experts, but neighbors, cultural leaders, and the people who live the solutions.”
The 2026 event will feature:
- Hands-on workshops addressing real-world challenges in human settlements and housing.
- International design competitions for students and young professionals envisioning scalable, climate-resilient housing solutions for 2050 and beyond.
- Interactive panel discussions exploring smart villages, regeneration, policy frameworks, sustainability, and circular economies.
- Structured networking sessions designed to foster collaboration across sectors and geographic regions.
Partnerships Across the Diaspora
One of the Symposium’s key goals is to nurture long-term partnerships across the African Diaspora.
The Collaborative is deepening relationships with universities in the U.S., South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Uganda, while also expanding engagement throughout the Global South and the Caribbean.
Partnerships with housing authorities, community-based organizations, African Diaspora business leaders, and groups focused on women’s leadership, youth entrepreneurship, mental wellness, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy also continue to grow.
“We’re building partnerships that do not end when the symposium ends — the goal is sustained collaboration and shared development outcomes.”
Defining Equity in Global Housing and Human Settlements
Equity remains a core value of the Symposium.
Glenn describes equity as ensuring that every person has the opportunity to live with dignity, safety, and belonging. It is rooted not in charity, but in fair access to land, resources, education, and economic pathways.
Equity also requires acknowledging historical harm, honoring cultural identity, and preventing displacement.
“Equity in development means people are not displaced from the futures they help create.”
Why Experiential Learning Matters
The Symposium includes hands-on workshops and real-world design competitions, which Glenn believes are essential for emerging leaders.
“We are shaping leaders who don’t just talk about change — they know how to build it.”
Experiential learning provides space to design, test, iterate, and build—allowing participants to develop practical competence, confidence, and collaborative problem-solving skills.
Encouraging Submissions from All Backgrounds
The Collaborative welcomes both scholarly research and practice-based innovation.
Glenn encourages those who may feel their work is “not academic enough” to participate:
“If your work is making a difference, it is already scholarly. We will help you shape it for publication.”
Selected papers may also be considered for publication in international academic journals, with a structured abstract and peer-review process outlined in the Call for Papers document 2026 PACSE Call for Papers Fina….
How to Submit
The Symposium uses the EasyChair platform for all submissions.
🔗 Submit abstracts and presentation summaries here:
https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=2026pacse
Key deadlines include:
- Abstracts Due: January 16, 2026
- Acceptance Notifications: February 15, 2026
- Full Papers / Draft Presentations Due: March 23, 2026
- Final Submissions: May 8, 2026
- Registration Opens: April 1, 2026
Full submission details, topic areas, formatting requirements, and review processes are included in the official Call for Papers.
A Guiding Principle
The Symposium continues to be guided by the African proverb:
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
This philosophy reflects the Collaborative’s belief in collective progress, shared leadership, and long-term community-rooted development across the Diaspora.
Thank you for posting a great article on our 2026 Pan African Symposium and Exposition being held June 2026 at Nelson Mandela University.