1st international conference on lao Studies, NIU, May 2005

[Yuphaphann Hoonchamlong]

First International Conference on Lao Studies (ICLS)
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL USA
May 20-22, 2005


First Announcement


The Center for Southeast Asian Studies of Northern Illinois University is
pleased to announce the First International Conference on Lao Studies
(ICLS) to be held on Friday-Sunday, May 20-22, 2005 in DeKalb, Illinois,
USA.  The main objective of this conference is to provide an international
forum for scholars to present and discuss various aspects of Lao studies.


Rationale

The Lao PDR today has a population of roughly five million people,
comprising an amazing complex of ethno linguistic groups.  Moreover, the
number of people in the Lao "diaspora" numbers as many as twenty-five
million. In recent years there has been an increased interest in Laos and
its peoples as subjects of serious discussion by scholars and the
interested public alike. Indeed, there has been a flowering of scholarly
publications on topics pertaining to Laos in the last several decades and
a growing interest cultivated by the international media with its global
reach. The First Lao History Symposium, held in the Spring of 2002,
heralded the burgeoning of a growing interest in Lao studies among a new
generation of scholars.  This conference will build on that momentum.

The conference will feature papers on any topic concerning Lao Studies.
The  First ICLS will create special panels for individuals, groups or
organizations that have four or more presenters.  Topics include all ethno
linguistic groups of Laos, the Isan Lao and other ethnic Lao groups in
Thailand, cross-border ethnic groups in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Burma,
and Cambodia (e.g., Hmong,Tai Dam, Phuan, Kammu), and Overseas Lao.

Topics are provisionally divided into the following broad categories: (1)
languages and linguistics; (2) folk wisdom and literature; (3) belief,
ritual, and religions; (4) history; (5) politics; (6) economics and
environment; (7) ethno-cultural contact and exchange; (8) architecture,
arts, music, and handicrafts; (9) archaeology; (10) science and medicine;
(11) information technology; (12) the media and popular culture; and
others.

Program

Keynote speeches, plenary sessions, parallel sessions, paper
presentations, slides, posters, film festival, performances, and cultural
activities.

Languages

The languages to be used in the conference will be English, French and
Lao, with translators provided when available and deemed necessary.

Conference Registration

A conference registration form will be available at:
www.seasite.niu.edu/lao/events/Conference2005/registration.htm

Registration Fees

The registration fee includes conference documents, lunch, and
refreshments.
Banquet arrangements and fees will be announced later.

Registration Fee Paid Before and on March 1, 2005 are:

K-12 Students/Teachers $10
University Students  $30
Non-Students   $50

Registration Fee Paid After March 1, 2005 are:

K-12 Students/Teachers $15
University Students  $35
Non-Students   $60

Checks, money orders, and international draft (bank cheque) must be in US
dollar only.
Please make checks payable to "Northern Illinois University" or "NIU."

Abstract and Paper

Abstracts are invited for the conference.  By February 1, 2005, please
submit two copies of a one-page abstract by postal mail or e-mail MS-Word
attached file. Abstracts must be typed, camera ready, and contain the
following information: title of abstract, author name(s), author
affiliation, and content.  If you are submitting the abstract as part of a
group or organization, please indicate this as well.  See website for
further details.

Papers to be distributed at the conference must be submitted before March
1, 2005. Vetted papers will be published in the First ICLS Proceedings.
To ensure inclusion in the volume, submit a camera-ready copy of your
paper by September 1, 2005. Presentation will be 20 minutes in length,
with 10 minutes for questions.

Accommodations and Travel Information

Information on accommodations and travel will be announced later.

Contact Address:

Center for Southeast Asian Studies
412 Adams Hall
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115 USA
Phone: 1--815-753-1771
FAX: 1--815-753-1776
E-mail: cseas at niu.edu
Webpage: www.niu.edu/cseas

Contact Persons:

Professor Catherine Raymond: craymond at niu.edu
Professor John Hartmann: jhartman at niu.edu
NIU Outreach Coordinator Julia Lamb: jlamb at niu.edu
Vinya Sysamouth: laolanxang at yahoo.com