As the processes of globalization have accelerated in recent decades, virtually all countries of the world have experienced its multifaceted impacts, most particularly as we move further into the twenty-first century. Economic restructuring processes, which have been underway for several decades, have posed new challenges for nation-states and the international citizenry within the changing contours of the global economy. These challenges are likely to persist in the coming decades as a result of technological changes, an increase in international-trade activities, the widening digital divide, global warming, and the increasing levels of complexity that characterize contemporary political and economic relationships.

This edited volume is the outgrowth of the First Public Scholars in Africana Studies International Conference on Globalization which was held at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) from October 29–31, 2009. The theme of the conference was “Rethinking Economic Development in the Context of Globalization: Entrepreneurship, the Knowledge Economy, and Sustainable Development.” The purpose of the conference was to examine the impacts of globalization on various countries of the world, with a particular emphasis on Africa and the African Diaspora. Scholars were asked to rethink and reconceptualize globalization within the broader context of the twenty-first century knowledge economy and efforts put forward by nation-states of the world to achieve sustainable development. A second goal of the conference was to develop public policy recommendations that could be implemented by nation-states, political leaders, NGOs, and members of the public at large to enhance the attainment of economic and sustainable development. Although not all the presenters are represented here, we would like to acknowledge the contributions of all of them.

We have numerous people to thank for their support in helping us to organize the conference. We are grateful to Dr. Charles Bantz, chancellor at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis for his strong support of the event as well as Dr. Uday Sukhatme, executive vice chancellor and dean of the faculties, Dr. William Blomquist, dean of the School of Liberal Arts, and Dr. Monroe Little, former director of the Africana Studies Program. We are especially grateful to His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland and Her Royal Majesty, Olori, Dr. Tokunbo Gbadebo for being our special guests for four days during the week of the conference and for the wonderful keynote address provided by His Royal Majesty at the Awards Dinner.