Conference on Europe

[J.M. Andrew]

        WHY EUROPE?


        PROBLEMS OF CULTURE & IDENTITY


        An International Conference to be held
        at Keele University, UK
        6 September - 9 September 1996



This year, 1996 the Inter-Governmental Conference (IGC) will take place.
Following on from Maastricht this event will help determine the future
direction, shape and size of Europe as a whole, and the European Union in
particular.

The conference to be held at Keele, Why Europe? Problems of Culture &
Identity will adopt a distinctive approach to these issues.  Concentrating
on questions of history, origins, culture and citizenship, it will evaluate
to what extent a specifically European identity has begun to emerge, and
what profile this identity is beginning to take.

The conference will address a range of issues which underly the notions of
European identity.  Among them will be: what does it mean to be a European?
What ideologies have shaped the political debate over the last two
centuries?  What place will minorities find in the Europe of the
twenty-first century?  What roles will women play in the future communities?
Will Europe become more open to diversity, or become increasingly
introspective, a 'fortress Europe'?

Panels planned at the conference include: National Perceptions of Europe,
Contemporary Concepts of Europe, Community & Citizenship, Gender & Identity,
Identity & Culture in the Nineteenth Century,  Film & Media Representations,
Equal Opportunities, Political Discourses and Youth & Education.


Based on the work of the Department of Modern Languages and the Keele
European Research Centre, the conference will focus primarily, but not
exclusively on cultural issues.


There will be about forty papers, spread over four days, together with
keynote addresses and a background cultural programme, including film and
music.  All presentations and accommodation will be on Keele's attractive
rural campus in the heart of England.


For further details and information about any aspect of the conference,
please contact Professor Joe Andrew, Department of Modern Languages
(Russian), Keele University, Keele, Staffs, UK, ST5 5BG. Tel.: (01782)
583291; FAX: (01782) 584238; email: mla08 at cc.keele.ac.uk