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Call for Papers "Embracing the Displaced: Shaping Theories and Practices for a Sustainable Peace" International Conference on Peace and Reconciliation York St John University Youngnak Church Centre for Korean Studies, University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA (USA) 7-10 July 2009 __________________________________________________ There are no simple explanations for the causes, processes and results of international or regional conflicts: social, economic, territorial, political, ethnic and racial issues may all play a role. And religion is a contributing factor in many conflicts. Indeed, many see it as one of the most potent and dangerous ingredients. Such conflicts not only lead to tragic loss of life (often on an unimaginable scale) but also to the displacement and forced migration of people. The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates there are currently 32.9 million people worldwide who have been forced from their homes, some displaced within their own country, many forced to flee as refugees to another. Their sufferings do not end there. They are often treated with inhumanity or indifference by the global community and with hostility or suspicion locally. For lasting and sustainable peace it is not only imperative that the conflicts cease; just and practical solutions have to be found for these displaced and wounded people. What does religion have to offer? Instead of contributing to the problem, does it have anything positive to contribute to bringing about sustainable peace and reconciliation? The aim of this conference is to discuss theoretical perspectives and practical methods suggested by theology and religious studies that can be used to enhance conventional approaches and suggest alternative responses to the problems. Can religions recover their roles as peace makers? The conference will investigate four main areas: 1. Enhancing theoretical frameworks from social, cultural, political, economic, religious and theological perspectives. 2. Evaluating the dynamics and resources of peace-building in the light of case studies from conflict zones including Korean Peninsula, Balkans, Middle East, Africa and South Asia. 3. Facilitating engagement between theory and practice in dealing with refugees and displaced persons by bringing academics and practitioners together. 4. Suggesting practical, multi-disciplinary approaches for politicians, policy makers, community leaders, NGOs, national and international organisations. Abstracts of 150-300 words should be submitted no later than 31 March 2009. Please send abstracts electronically as MS Word (or compatible) to Jenny Sykes: [email protected] Please include your name, address and institution or affiliation. All presentations should last no more that 30 minutes including time for questions. Keynote Speakers Guido Amroso UNHCR Tanzania with responsibility for refugees from Burundi and Congo Professor Mark Juergensmeyer Director, Orfalea Centre for Global & International Studies University of California Santa Barbara Dr. Elizabeth Ferris Brookings Institute, Washington DC; Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy & Co-Director, Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement Professor Yoon Young-Kwan Department of International Relations, Seoul National University, South Korea Revd. Lee Chul-Shin Senior Pastor, Young Nak Presbyterian Church, Seoul, South Korea Contact: Conference Team Phone: +44 (0)1904 876526 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www2.yorksj.ac.uk/default.asp?Page_ID=5548&Parent_ID=1852 __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org
