WORLD CONFERENCE

 

„DIALOGUE AMONG CIVILISATIONS

- THE KEY TO A SAFE FUTURE"

 

23-26 April, 2003

The Gromada Hotel & Congress Centre,

Warsaw, ul. 17 Stycznia 32

_______________________________________________________________

 

         CALL FOR PAPERS

 

Dear Sir / Madam,

 

In September 2000, on the eve of the United Nations Millennium Summit the round table debate on dialogue among civilisations was organised by UNESCO and UN. At this occasion Koffi Annan, Secretary General of the UN, stated that alongside an infinite diversity of cultures now evolves a new global civilisation. Its fundamental principles are the celebration of cultural diversity, tolerance of dissent, and universal human rights. The cultural diversity – in his opinion – is not only the basis for the dialogue among civilisations, but also the reality that makes dialogue necessary, since the perception of diversity as a threat is the very seed of war.

Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, added that active and mutually enriching exchange between cultures is essential to furthering peace between nations. Knowledge of the cultures of others and listening to what they have to say – dispels hatred, ignorance and mistrust, and helps to build peace. Thus cultural dialogue leads to long-term understanding, and helps to sow the seeds of peace.

Globalisation could bring great benefits to many nations, but it could also result in increasing sufferings, hatred and conflicts. It requires not only economic and political co-operation, but also a new “architecture of dialogue” among nations and civilisations. There are in the West politicians and intellectuals who expect that the entire world will eventually be Westernised and will adopt the Western values, institutions, social and political norms, etc. Others, together with their numerous colleagues from non-Western countries, realise that such expectations are unrealistic, or even harmful, at least for foreseeable future. There will exist numerous civilisations which should enrich one another and perhaps could even share some essential common values. People grown up in them should increase their mutual understanding, and this requires a new “education for dialogue” instead of the old education in the national spirit. Closer international co-operation requires new information network promoting cultural dialogue, mutual respect and understanding.

In order to continue such efforts a world conference is organised in Warsaw, April 23-26, 2003. The conference, sponsored by UNESCO, will be held under the heading: „Dialogue Between Civilisations - The Key to a Safe Future”. We would like to discuss how the dialogue among civilisations and cultures could be promoted and carried out, and which infrastructure for such a dialogue should be created for granting peaceful and fruitful co-operation of all nations. We intend to analyse the cultural dialogue in various aspects: economic, political, social, cultural, philosophical, and religious. The representatives of all major contemporary civilisations are invited, as well as of various international organisations. The conference is essentially of a scholarly nature, although professionals in various fields crucial to dialogue (like education, information, and politics) are also invited. Some 600 participants are expected. The Conference will be held under the national patronage of H.E. Leszek Miller. Prime Minister of the Polish Republic.

The Conference will be accompanied by various cultural events. And at the very end of the Conference an inauguration of the International Academy of Dialogue among Cultures and Civilisations will be held.

The organisers invite other national and international bodies to join our initiative and co-operate in this intellectual endeavour and in practical efforts to promote such a cultural dialogue.

 

Conference Language. The official language of the Conference will be English.

 

Conference Program. The Conference will consist of four days of general and  parallel sessions. Each of them will be devoted to topics important to various cultures and civilisations. A detailed program will be sent to all registered participants before the Conference.

Students. Graduate students are encouraged to attend the Conference and take an active part in the program. Special hotel accommodation and special registration fee will be available at a lower rate for students.

Submission of papers. Papers presenting original, previously unpublished research, not currently under review by another conference or journal, are solicited, in particular concerning theoretical issues, experimental studies, or related to practical applications. The submitted papers (or their preliminary drafts) will be evaluated by the Steering Committee and included to the programme. The review will be based on the merits of the work submitted.

 The authors shall consider one of the following general topics:

 1.    “Economy & development” group /Theme I/, morning session:

     Globalisation and intercultural dialogue – synergy or contradictions?

2.    “Economy & development” group /Theme II/, afternoon session:

     The economy of development – paradigm on trial.

3.    “Sociology & psychology” group /Theme I/, morning session:

    The  individual in the modern civilisations and cultures.

4.    “Sociology & psychology” group / Theme II /, afternoon session:

     The human communities in the modern civilisations and cultures.

5.    “Political sciences” group / Theme I /, morning session:

Traditions and models of power – contemporary political dilemmas.

6.    “Political sciences” group / Theme II /, afternoon session:

Towards a new culture of dialogue: the role of international and world organisations, of peacekeeping missions and social diplomacy.

7.    “Religion & philosophy” group / Theme I /, morning session:

     Dialogue among civilisations and the idea of universalism.

8.    “Religion & philosophy” group / Theme II /, afternoon session:

     The fundamental philosophical and religious ideas at the trial of a dialogue

9.    “Communication & education” group / Theme I /, morning session:

Education for dialogue: schools and mutual understanding.

10. “Communication & education” group / Theme II /, afternoon session:

Information in the era of dialogue: images of the world created by media.

11. “Communication through arts” group/ Theme I /, morning session:

Arts in dialogue: symbols and myths.

12. “Communication through art” group/ Theme II /, afternoon session:

The arts and non-verbal communication: towards deeper understanding.

 

The co-chairmen will present introductions, followed by several main reports and a general discussion.

 Papers should be approximately of 10–15 pages in length (double-spaced text), in font no smaller than 10 points. The Organisers expect the papers in an  electronic form, sent to our computer. Files shall be submitted in Microsoft Word (although WordPerfect, or as a PDF file could also be accepted). Each author should include an abstract of ca 150-250 words, and a short biographical note (the present occupation and position, when and where he/she was graduated, where the Ph.D  grade was obtained, the most significant former positions and the 3-4 major publications). Authors without Internet access should submit a disk copy of the manuscript, of an abstract and a biographic note, and of five (5) printed copies of the paper and of three copies (3) of the accompanying documents.


Printed copies are expected at the paper A4 size and double-blind reviewing (where the identities of the authors are withheld from the reviewers) requirements. Please include the following information:

1. For all authors and co-authors:

A.      Names

B.      Institutional affiliations

C.      Mailing addresses

D.     E-mail addresses

E.      Telephone and fax numbers

2. Your preference for spoken/poster presentation:

A.      Only wish to present a spoken paper

B.      Prefer spoken paper, willing to give a poster

C.      No preference; either spoken or poster is fine

D.     Prefer poster, willing to give a spoken paper

E.      Only willing to present a poster

3. Title of paper

4. An abstract of 150-250 words

 

Accepted papers will be printed in the symposium proceedings.

E-mail submission (prap@post.pl of abstracts is requested, since this will facilitate compiling of Conference materials to be distributed at the meeting.

Important Dates. Announcements of accepted papers are expected to be made on February 28th, 2003.

Paper registration due:

 February 20th, 2003

Paper submission due:

 February 20th, 2003

Notification of acceptance:

 March 20th , 2003

However, in the particular cases, the Organisers could accept the papers even  after the deadline.

“Dialogue among  Civilisations – the Key to a Safe Future”

The Polish Asia Pacific Association

01-846 WARSAW, 77 Zeromskiego Street, apt 20

phone: +(48) 601 29 81 39, +(4822) 834 95 62 fax: (+48) 601 29 01 74, +(4822) 865 07 27

e-mail: prap@post.pl

Please take note that our Office is open from Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 18.00.


WORLD CONFERENCE

„DIALOGUE AMONG CIVILISATIONS

- THE KEY TO A SAFE FUTURE"

23-26 April, 2003

The Gromada Hotel & Congress Centre,

Warsaw, ul. 17 Stycznia 32

 

Dear Sir / Madam,

 

In April 2002, Warsaw was the site of an international conference on „Dialogue among Civilisations. New Challenges”.  The conference was held on the initiative of the Polish Asia and Pacific Council Association – the main organiser of the event – as well as the Polish National Committee for UNESCO and the Centre for East Asia Research of the Institute for Political Studies at the Polish Academy of Sciences.

 

350 participants from home and abroad, including scientists, politicians, businessmen and media representatives congregated in the Polish Parliament building to consider the issue of common cultural future of the West and Islam and the urgent need for deepening the perception of Islam – its civilisation variety and specific nature. The key themes of the conference were „Towards common future” and „Towards better understanding of Islam”.

 

Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller, who took patronage of the conference, said in his opening speech:  (...) Dialogue among civilisation centres at a time of ever-closer international co-operation and globalisation processes has become not just very necessary but outright indispensable. (...)

 

In a follow-up development to this year's event, a world conference will be held in Warsaw in April 2003, on the role of contemporary dialogue between civilisations in generating international security policies. The conference to be held under the heading: „Dialogue Between Civilisations. The Key to a Safe Future” is being organised by the Polish Asia and Pacific Council Association, the Polish National Committee for UNESCO, the Institute for Political Studies at the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Centre for East Asian and Pacific Studies of Trier University (Germany) in collaboration with a large group of scientific institutions from all the world's great civilisations.

 

The conference will be held under the national patronage of Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller and the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has been approached by the organisers with the request to act as the conference’s international patron.

 The Honorary Committee of the Conference is chaired by Professor Tadeusz Iwiński, Secretary of State at the Prime Minister’s Chancellery. Professor Tadeusz Iwiński has invited the following prominent personalities to act as his co-chairmen: HE Mr Delfin Colome, Director General of the Asia-Europe Foundation (Singapore); HE Mr Gareth Evans, President of the International Crisis Group (Brussels); Mr Edmond Israel, President of the Edmond Israel Foundation and Governor of the Asia-Europe Foundation (Luxembourg); HE Dr Ahmad Jalali, President of the General Conference of UNESCO (Paris); Dr Seyyed Ataollah Mohajjerani, President of the International Centre for Dialogue among Civilisations (Teheran); Dr F. A. Nizami, Director of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (Oxford); HE Giandomenico Picco, the Personal Representative of the UN Secretary General for Dialogue among Civilisations (New York); HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal (Rijad); Mr N.N. Vohra, President of the India International Centre (New Delhi) and HE Eugeniusz Wyzner, Deputy to the UN Secretary General (New York). Invitations will also be given (among others) to the Chancellor of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Beijing) and other new members of the Honorary Committee.

Some 600 guests and participants representing various cultures and civilisations are expected to attend the conference.

Accompanying events:

During the conference, a number of accompanying events will be held. The major ones will include:

§        The “Politics in Dialogue”  evening,

§        The “Music of Dialogue” concert by foreign and Polish artists,

§        Multicultural Gala,

§        Series of exhibitions and thematic displays,

§         “The Colours of the Sun”, a review of feature films.

The inauguration of the International Academy of Dialogue among Cultures and Civilisations, established under the patronage of the Polish Asia and Pacific Council Association, will be another major event closely connected with the Conference.

 

PARTICIPATION IN THE CONFERENCE

Persons interested to attend the Conference are required to contact the

Conference Organisation Office:

“Dialogue among  Civilisations – the Key to a Safe Future”

The Polish Asia Pacific Association

01-846 WARSAW, 77 Zeromskiego Street, apt 20

phone: +(48) 601 29 81 39, +(4822) 834 95 62 fax: (+48) 601 29 01 74, +(4822) 865 07 27

e-mail: prap@post.pl

Please take note that our Office is open from Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 18.00.


W O R L D   C O N F E R E N C E

„DIALOGUE  AMONG  CIVILIZATIONS.

THE KEY TO A SAFE FUTURE”

Warsaw, Poland, 23-26 April 2003

 

                            Please fax the duly filled form below to fax nr:  +48 0 339 06 29

 

 

Declaration  - Agreement

 

 

[In case of a multiple submission please photocopy the form]

 

 

Participant’s first name, family name and position .............................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................................................................

Participant’s address ............................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................……………………...............................................................

Name of institution represented ...........................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................................................................

Address of institution represented ........................................................................................................................

Mailing address ...................................................................................................................................................

telephone .........................................…………….................……..fax .....................................…...............……

e-mail ................................................……...........................…..... www .............................................................

 
I hereby declare my participation in the conference and request/confirm the following services:

 

  conference fee (covering participation in the deliberations, publications and documents, coffee-break           facilities) in the amount of $400.00

hotel accommodation (bed and breakfast)  on 22/23, 23/24, 24/25, 25/26, 26/27, 27/28

       April 2003 at hotel:

       Hotel Gromada (32 17 Stycznia St.) – at the conference site

           (rates: $115.00 for a single room and $90.00 for a double room)

       Airport Hotel Okęcie (24 17 Stycznia St.) – located 300 meters from the conference site)

           (rates: $ 95.00 for a single room and   $70.00 for a double room)

       Hotel Profesorski  (9 Bobrowiecka St.) – located 6 kilometers from the conference site

           (rates: $45.00 for a single room and  $25.00 for a double room)

accommodation arrangements will by made by myself

lunch during the break in the proceedings at the Gromada Hotel (fixed menu at $15.00)

       on 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 April 2003

dinner (a la carte) at the hotel of stay on

       22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 April 2003

participation in the ceremonial banquet on the first day of the conference (price: $30.00)

participation in the gala concert on the second day of the conference (price: $10.00)

participation in the farewell dinner on the fourth day of the conference (price: $30.00)

dietary restrictions: vegetarian menu  kosher menu  other ...........................................

 

I am interested in the following additional services:

transfer:  from/to the airport or from/to the railroad station to/from my hotel

on: 23 April at........hours, 24 April at........hours, 25 April at..........hours,  26 April at..........hours,

sightseeing tour of Warsaw (please provide detailed information)

other ...............................................................................................................................................................

 

I would like to take part in the following discussion groups:

economy & development, □ sociology & psychology, political sciences, religion & philosophy,

communication & education, communication through art.

 

I declare that the amount of $...................will be transferred to the Ars Nobile  account No. 50-10205558-1111111601200152 at Bank PKO BP COI in the following installments: 45% of the total at the time of the sending of this submission, together with a copy of the transfer confirmation and the remaining 55% upon the receipt of the VAT invoice. I understand that the remittance of the amount stated above in toto at least seven days prior to the opening of the conference is a requirement for registration at the conference. I authorize Ars Nobile to issue the VAT invoice without the customer’s signature. I accept the terms of participation in the conference.

 

 

 

 

1. In the case of cancellation of the conference at the organizer’s fault or a written withdrawal of this submission by 9 April 2003, a full refund of the amount paid will be promptly made to the participant.

2. In the case of a written withdrawal of this submission by 16 April 2003, a refund of 50% of the amount paid will be made.

3. The organizers reserve the right to make changes in the program of the conference.