VCU

VFOM's annual celebration of Mali Independence Day featuring a special presentation by the Malian Ambassador to the US, M. Almaamoun Baba Lamine KEITA, on the Global Security Situation in the Sahel Region, and centers of information in French and English covering the history of Mali, VFOM, travel programs, Women's issues, annual cultural festivals... and a concert of Grammy nominated traditional Malian musician Cheick Hamala Diabate and Malian rapper Super Nova hosted in VCU's student commons

The Women, War and Peace Conference was organized by the VCU French West Africa project, co-sponsored by the VCU Honor's College and hosted on VCU's campus the weekend of September 20-21, 2013. Attendees learned about the issues that have led to conflicts and the opportunities to transform them through civil societies across West Africa, North Africa, and beyond. The conference addressed these conflicts and the gender issues that resulted.

The students involved in the translation of Aminata Traore (pen name Hamitraore) story of her excision presented and co-hosted a discussion of their translation. A personal narrative was given by Professor Brahima Kone and the topic of female gential mutilation was openly discussed, offering different viewpoints and perspectives.