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Call for Papers

Theme: Gandhian Perspectives on Contemporary Conflicts and Peace
Type: International Conference
Institution: Mahatma Gandhi Center, Hindu University of America (HUA)
Location: Orlando, FL (USA)
Date: 3.–4.11.2016
Deadline: 25.8.2016

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The principles of Mahatma Gandhi have become increasingly relevant in
the contemporary world, characterized by turbulence. For Gandhi, the
most potent weapon to fight oppression and injustice is non-violence,
which emanates from courage to stand against oppression and
injustice. Violence begets violence, and if the principle of ‘an eye
for an eye’ is applied, ‘the whole world will become blind.’ From a
Gandhian perspective war is an acute form of violence motivated by
greed, prejudices and historical animosity and the results are
devastating with socio-cultural, economic and political consequences.
Whether it is conflict at the level of groups or communities or at
the international level, a trend can be deciphered in which the
conflict actors have prioritized their narrow interests over
collective interests and peace.

Gandhi’s ideas have been acclaimed by common people as well as
leaders from across the world. Martin Luther King, Jr. referred
Mahatma Gandhi as “the guiding light of … nonviolent social change,”
and, during his India visit in 1959, said, “In a real sense, Mahatma
Gandhi embodied in his life certain universal principles that are
inherent in the moral structure of the universe, and these principles
are as inescapable as the law of gravitation.” About five decades
later, Nelson Mandela, while unveiling a Gandhi Memorial in South
Africa, in 1993, stated, “The enemies that Gandhi fought – ignorance,
disease, unemployment, poverty and violence are today common
place … Now more than ever is the time when we have to pay heed to the
lessons of Mahatma Gandhi.”

The conference, covering major aspects of Gandhian philosophy and its
applicability to contemporary global problems, appears timely and
necessary. Though Gandhi is popular in academia and among public in
the East and the West, there have been few events to make an in-depth
study of his principles and their application to resolve contemporary
global problems. The conference aims to fill this gap. It is not only
interested in theoretical aspect of Gandhian philosophy, but also its
practical and educational aspects.

Focus of the Conference

The Conference aims at exploring Gandhian principles and their
problem solving potentials. It aims to focus on relevance of Gandhi
for addressing global problems such as inter-state and intra-state
conflicts, international peace, religious extremism, degeneration of
human values, social and religious discord and violation of human
rights. It seeks contributions on following themes, and the list is
not exhaustive.

- Gandhian Approach to Conflict at Various Levels: From Family to
  State to World
- Gandhi and International Conflicts, e.g. Middle East, Ukraine,
  Syria, Afghanistan, etc.
- Gandhi, King Jr. and Mandela: A Comparative Perspective
- Managing, Transforming and Resolving Conflicts: The Gandhian Way
- Gandhi and Ethno-religious Conflicts
- Gandhi and Environmental Conflict
- Gandhi and Human Rights

Objectives of the Conference

The Mahatma Gandhi Center at the Hindu University of America intends
to provide a platform for deliberation on the above themes. It is
interested to engage scholars from academia, media, corporate sector,
policymaking, non-governmental sectors, and grass-roots activism for
an elaborate inquiry of the above themes. The two day exercise will
be academic and educational in content and professional in approach.
It will be academically rewarding and personally gainful to the
participants. The ultimate objective is to generate an in-depth
understanding of Gandhian philosophy and its problem-solving
potentials. Such an understanding would help in formulating a
framework for a better understanding of conflicts and their roots
towards addressing them through peaceful means.

Submissions

The Mahatma Gandhi Center invites papers on the above themes for the
conference. The papers should focus on a theme outlined above, and
offer a novel approach. Abstract of the paper and a short
biographical note should reach the Center at confere...@hua.edu by
August 25, 2016. The acceptance notification for the selected
abstracts will be sent by August 30, 2016. Full draft paper should be
sent by October 27, 2016 as they will be complied in a volume, to be
published by an international publisher.

The Center will provide lunch and dinner for the two days of the
conference. Limited need-based funding to defray travel related
expenses will be provided to the paper presenters.

Important Dates

Abstract (within 500 words) and bionote (within 100 words)
submission:
August 25, 2016

Notification of acceptance of abstracts:
August 30, 2016

Full draft paper (6000 words to 7000 words) submission:
October 27, 2016

Conference dates:
November 3 and 4, 2016

Registration Fee:
Paper Presenters: US $ 60
Attendees: US $ 25

Conference Details

The conference will be held at the Orlando campus of Hindu University
of America at 5200 Vineland Road, Orlando, Florida-32811, USA.

The university is located near major attractions in the city of
Orlando. Orlando, home to Disney World, Universal Studio and many
other famous attractions, will be mild in November and, hence,
welcoming for the conference participants.

Further information about logistics of the conference will be
available soon on the University website.

Contact:

Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra
Mahatma Gandhi Center for Non-Violence, Human Rights and World Peace
Hindu University of America
5200 Vineland Road
Orlando, FL 32811
USA
Email: confere...@hua.edu




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