A fundamental understanding of the complex historical, economic, political, sociological and environmental factors that have contributed to the conflict in Darfur is too often lacking in mainstream media, and even in scholarly coverage of what has been labeled a 21st-century genocide.

So says Salah Hassan, director of Cornell's Africana Studies and Research Center.

More important, Hassan adds, "The literature on the conflict in Darfur is almost completely devoid of Sudanese voices, particularly women, and those that are directly affected by the war."

In an attempt to bring change, Cornell and the Africana Center are co-sponsoring a major international conference, "Darfur and the Crisis of Governance in Sudan," at the University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Feb. 21-22.

Hassan is co-coordinating the event with Cornell alumna Carina Ray, Ph.D. '07, assistant professor of African history at Fordham University, and Cornell doctoral candidate Elizabeth Giorgis, director of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University. Hassan and Grant Farred, Cornell professor of Africana studies, also will present talks at the conference.

"The location is ideal in facilitating the attendance of Sudanese participants, who are based in Sudan, and their counterparts in Europe and the United States," says Hassan. "The conference also strengthens our institutional ties with an important Africa-based counterpart and advances efforts to establish linkages and exchange programs with African universities."

Presenters include scholars and government and international agency leaders, including Fahima Hashim, director of Salmmah Women's Resource Centre, Khartoum; Zaynab M. Elsawi, coordinator of Sudanese Women Empowerment for Peace, Khartoum; and Yasir Arman, deputy secretary general of the Sudan People Liberation Movement.

Conference papers will be published in book form as "Darfur and the Crisis of Governance in Sudan: A Critical Reader," by Africa World Press, the Prince Claus Fund Library and the University of Addis Ababa Library.

Hassan notes than an overlooked development in the crisis is the strength of civil society and the growth of new multiregional, multiethnic movements and civil organizations that have organized themselves in Sudan around the issue of Darfur.

"This is but one indication that if solutions to the conflict are to be found they must be developed in dialogue with ongoing internal efforts to deal with the range of issues that have given rise not only to the situation in Darfur, but also to the larger interlocking political crisis in Sudan," he says.

"It is our hope to engage in a cross-dialogue that will foster a comprehensive, yet nuanced understanding of the root causes, manifestations and implications of the ongoing conflict, and help generate more informed prospects for a just and comprehensive resolution of the conflict."

For a complete schedule and list of presenters, visit http://www.asrc.cornell.edu/darfur08/.