The IV International Congress on Angolan Studies, held on 18 June 25 at the National Library of Portugal in Lisbon, brought together over 500 researchers from across the globe. Organized by the Angola Research Network, the congress has become a reference point for those dedicated to the academic study of Angola.
With a pluralistic and inclusive approach, the event featured high-level presentations across multiple disciplines, fostering open debate and critical dialogue. It attracted scholars in law, literature, political science, history, sociology, and cultural studies, and encouraged innovative approaches to Angola’s historical and contemporary challenges.
Representing Lusófona University, researcher José Carochinho presented a survey-based study that captured perceptions of progress and setbacks in Angola over the 50 years since its independence. His presentation stood out for its empirical rigor and relevance to current political and social debates. The study prompted meaningful exchanges among participants and was frequently cited in later discussions, highlighting the growing importance of data-driven approaches in Angolan studies.
Other prominent speakers included José Octávio Serra Van-Dunem (President of the Economic and Social Council of the President of the Republic of Angola), Constitutional Court Judge Onofre dos Santos, Rui Verde, and Dorothée Boulanger from the University of Oxford. The program also featured debates on administrative reform, constitutional myths, digital governance, and the role of social media platforms like TikTok in preserving national languages.
The congress closed with a shared commitment to strengthening international research networks, promoting broader access to knowledge produced in Angola, and ensuring that academic research contributes meaningfully to inclusive and sustainable development.
As expressed in one of the final plenary sessions, “Studying Angola also means imagining new possibilities for its future.”
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