[Bilimsel Haber] CALL FOR APPLICATIONS- International Youth Conference on National Democracies, July 2006, Yerevan

[Sule Tarakcioglu]

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS- International Youth Conference on National
Democracies

1st International Youth Conference on National Democracies
3-7 July, 2006
Yerevan, Armenia

YERITAC Armenian Youth NGO is organizing a scientific youth conference
entitled National Democracies or Nations against Democracies? which will
take place in Yerevan, Armenia, on July 3-7, 2006.


Abstract:

The contradiction between democracy and national culture is an important
issue faced by transformational societies worldwide. Post-soviet Armenia
is one of the countries especially sharply fronting this contradiction.
The scientific approach and conceptualization of the ongoing processes
and their comparison to other societies experience seem to be important
to overcome the difficulties of the process of democratization in the
country.


Purpose:

The purpose of 1st International Youth Conference on National
Democracies is to bring together young scholars, students, activists,
etc. both from advanced democracies and transitional countries, who are
enrolled in democracy studies and national studies to make an
opportunity to discuss the possible issues of transitional democracies
as to argue on the sharper aspects and find possible solutions.


Eligibility: Participants with following criteria are acceptable:

  - aged 18-27,
  - undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students of social sciences
and humanities,
  - involvement in youth organizations, movements dealing with the
issues of democracy is a plus
  - participants from all over the world are welcome to the event
  - good communication and writing skills in English.

Selection will be done based on gender and geographical proportional
distribution.


Conference fee:

$350 for foreign participants (includes hotel accommodation in double
and triple rooms, nutrition, cultural trips, and participation fee).
Travel, visa and insurance costs are not covered. 50% discounts are
available for participants from Yerevan.


Scholarships:

Limited number of scholarships is available for representatives from
developing countries. Depending on country and on motivation
participants can receive up to 40% discounts.

For those participants, who will use the services of the Official
Carrier of the Conference - Austrian Airlines to travel to Armenia,
there is a tariff-reduction possible between 10 % and 20 % depending on
the class of booking, etc. This reduction is only applicable for
Conference participants with confirmed registration.


Conference Details:

The Conference will consist of scientific, cultural and entertainment
parts.

Scientific part includes paper presentations, meetings with speakers and
workshop discussions.

Cultural part includes cultural trips and discussions on National culture.

Entertainment will be organized on each evening of the conference.


Application procedure:

1. Fill in the application form and send it to
conference at yeritac-am.org; please go to
<http://www.yeritac-am.org/index_files/application.htm> to obtain the
application form, or contact YERITAC YNGO
2. Write 1-page long abstract on one of the following titles:
a. National Culture and Democracy, describing your vision of the
possible conflict between democratic and local culture.
b. Youth and Democracy, describing your vision of youth participation in
the processes of democratization and adaptation of local cultures.
c. Education and Democracy, describing your vision of democratic
education and education leading to democracy.
d. Nationalism, Cosmopolitism and Democracy describing of how you
understand these three ideologies in the framework of contemporary
societies.

Participants personal approach to the specified issues is highly
acceptable, however the abstract should be based on existing theoretical
framework of the abovementioned issues (like revision of literature).


Deadlines:

Deadline for applications is May 20, 2006. Successful applicants will be
informed by May 27, 2006.


Outcome:

Participants will have the following benefits from the Conference:

1. Opportunity to express their ideas, discuss with others and learn
more about democracies and national cultures
2. Prepare and make a public presentation
3. Best papers will be published in a special publication of selected
works, which will be distributed throughout of universities and
scientific organizations.
4. Opportunity to discover Armenia a country on the crossroads of Europe
and Asia (where silky road once passed), with interesting culture and
new democracy.
5. Make contacts with persons with same interests from throughout the world
6. Organize interesting and productive summer rest.


For details - please visit <http://www.yeritac-am.org/> or contact
YERITAC YNGO - info at yeritac-am.org




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