[Discussion] CONF./CFP- Warsaw East European Conference, July 20-22, Warsaw University

[Sule Tarakcioglu]

CONF./CFP- Warsaw East European Conference, July 20-22, Warsaw University

Warsaw East European Conference, Warsaw, July 20-22, 2005

The 2005 Warsaw East European Conference is organized by the Studium Euro=
py
Wschodniej UW (Centre for East European Studies) at Warsaw University,
Poland.  The Conference will begin on Wednesday, July 20th, and be closed=
 on
Friday, July 22th, 2005.

In July, 2004 our Centre in cooperation with Association for Study of
Nationalities organized the Warsaw Special Convention of ASN. The Centre =
for
Eastern Studies (Osrodek Studiow Wschodnich =AD OSW), the best Polish=20
analytical
institution, was also a hosting partner of the Conference. Fruitful acade=
mic
results of this meeting encouraged us to organize Warsaw East European
Conference, the Second Annual Session.

The main theme of the WEEC is the emergence of opposition, dissident
movements and resistance against totalitarian system in East Central=20
Europe and
Soviet area. Oppositional movements' activity and its relationship with t=
he
collapse of Soviet Empire and communist bloc will be important issue of t=
he
Conference. The notion of "opposition" includes also Polish=20
"Solidarnosc" that
boomed in August 1980, twenty five years ago. This anniversary was the ma=
in
reason for us to undertake the anti-communist opposition issue. In common
opinion, the emergence of "Solidarnosc" was the first step toward the
deconstruction of Yaltan system. However the WEEC issues are not limited=20
to the
anti-communist opposition of 1980's. They comprise also results of the=20
collapse
of the communist system: processes of political and economic transition i=
n
1990's, the question of democratization, as well as the prospects for=20
political
system changes in the post-communist world today. Therefore Ukrainian=20
"Orange
Revolution" from November and December 2004 as well as Georgian "Rose
Revolution" from December 2005, as pro-democratic political movements, al=
so
remain within the scope of Conference subjects.

The Warsaw East European Conference will bring together scholars from=20
East and
West. Apart from large group of Polish academics, we expect scholars=20
from the
United States, Western Europe, East Central Europe, post-Soviet=20
countries, and
other countries going through the process of transition. Due to Poland's
centrality and ties with both East and West, the Conference will be an=20
occasion
for exchange of thought between scholars from the states of the former=20
Soviet
Union and East Central Europe and Western academics focused on problems o=
f
communism and post-communist countries.

The 2005 Warsaw East European Conference will also focus on process of=20
political
transition, which includes such phenomena as decentralization of power,
construction of civil society and local democracy. For that reason
activists and workers of non-governmental organizations supporting=20
democratic
changes in East and Central Europe will also participate and are kindly=20
welcomed
to the WEEC.

Eminent Members of the former anti-communist opposition from Poland and=20
other
countries will be special guests of the Conference.

During the WEEC, we are going to present following exhibitions:

  - Polish clandestine publications from the Martial Law period and
    subsequent years of oppositional struggle in 1980's,
  - Jan Nowak-Jezioranski and Radio Free Europe
  - Jerzy Giedroyc and Kultura.

Moreover, the presentation of Polish non-governmental organizations, acti=
ve
in the post-Soviet area, will also be a part of the Conference program.

The fair of Polish and East Central European publishing houses from the
field of regional studies will take place during the Conference. During t=
he
last year conference, such exposition gathered several publishers.
Definitely, this event was a great success as it attracted serious attent=
ion
of the conference participants.

In addition, the reviews of Polish films related to the subject of the
Conference are also included to the program.

Our email: conf.studium@uw.edu.pl

Warsaw East European Conference. Second Annual Session, July 20-22, 2005

Paper Proposal Deadline: April 20, 2005

One copy of the completed Paper Proposal form should be submitted with a
copy of the Application Form to conf.studium@uw.edu.pl

Please contact conf.studium@uw.edu.pl for a copy of the Application Form.




Distrib. by: Central-Eurasia-L - Announcement List for Central Eurasian=20
Studies