The 3rd African Union Studies Annual Symposium is underway in Johannesburg South Africa, bringing together scholars, policymakers, diplomats, and civil society leaders from across the continent and the diaspora. Under the theme "The AU and the New Scramble for Africa: Conflict, Reparations and Resource Sovereignty" this year's gathering interrogates the shifting global contest for Africa's natural wealth and political influence. To tell us more about this gathering we are joined by the convener Professor Adeoye Akinola from the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation.