Call for Papers: Belarusian Studies (Kaunas, Lithuania), September 23-25, 2011

[Curt F. Woolhiser]

Dear colleagues,

A consortium of Belarusian and Lithuanian organizations under the auspices of
Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania) and the Political Sphere Institute
(Belarus) is organizing the First International Congress of Belarusian Studies,
which will take place in Kaunas (Lithuania) on September 23-25, 2011. The event
will be attended by more than a hundred scholars and researchers from around
the world who are engaged in research on Belarus and East-Central Europe. The
Congress will bring together specialists in sociology, political science,
history, the history of ideas, and cultural studies. In addition, the Congress
is expected to include discussion of regional development issues, foreign
policy of Belarus and other relevant topics.

The work of the Congress will be organized in the following panels:

1. Belarus and the system of regional cooperation;
2. The “Belarusian model”, 1991-2011: summary of two decades of development;
3. The Soviet past in regional perspective: (de-)(neo-)(post-)Sovietization;
4. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania: the reality and the idea;
5. The nation in Central and Eastern Europe: community and identity;
6. Belarusian society and culture: strategies in a globalized world.

Suggested topics for public discussions:

1. Belarus and the Eastern Partnership initiative;
2. Elections in Belarus, 2008-2010: consequences and perspectives;
3. Belarusian-Lithuanian relations: current status, prospects and obstacles.

More information about the event, organizers and partners can be found on the 
Congress’ web-site: www.icbs.lt.

On behalf of the consortium, we would like to invite all interested researchers,
experts and specialists in the above-mentioned fields to take part in the
Congress.

The organizers will cover accommodation costs and provide visa support as well.
It is also anticipated that we will be able to cover travel expenses for
participants from Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Ukraine.

The main working languages of the Congress are Belarusian, English and
Lithuanian (we will provide simultaneous translation for these languages during
plenary sessions and joint meetings). Additional languages of communication are
Russian and Polish. Speakers are invited to submit their abstracts and make
their panel presentations in Belarusian, English, Lithuanian, Polish or
Russian.

Speakers will have the opportunity to publish their presentations in a
compendium of abstracts or as individual articles.

To participate in the Congress, please send the following documents:

1) CV in Belarusian, English, Lithuanian or other working language;
2) Abstract of your presentation – no more than 400 words in any working
language. Please indicate in your letter if you need visa support.

Please submit your applications to the following address: icbs at palityka.org.
The deadline for applications is July 15, 2011.

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