The Baha'i Studies Listserv ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: ABS News <n...@bahai-studies.ca> Date: Thu, Mar 14, 2013 at 10:05 AM Subject: REMINDER - 2013 ABS Conference Presentation Submission Deadline April 1st To: abs...@bahai-studies.ca
Association for Bahá’í Studies 37th Annual Conference August 15-18, 2013, Hyatt Regency Irvine, California Theme Statement “Learning in Action: Scholarship and the Generation of Knowledge” The Revelation proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh, His followers believe, is divine in origin, all-embracing in scope, broad in its outlook, scientific in its method, humanitarian in its principles and dynamic in the influence it exerts on the hearts and minds of men. (June 1933, from a letter written by Shoghi Effendi to the High Commissioner for Palestine) Bahá’í scholarship, as explained by the Universal House of Justice, encompasses a “wide range of approaches and endeavors,” in every field. The 2013 conference will focus on the nexus between learning and action – how Bahá’í scholarship underlies and contributes to the process of social and cultural transformation described by the House of Justice in its Ridván Message of 2010: Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation is vast. It calls for profound change not only at the level of the individual but also in the structure of society. . . . There are no shortcuts, no formulas. Only as effort is made to draw on insights from His Revelation, to tap into the accumulating knowledge of the human race, to apply His teachings intelligently to the life of humanity, and to consult on the questions that arise will the necessary learning occur and capacity be developed. (The Universal House of Justice, Ridván Message 2010, para. 25) Knowledge is central to social existence. Every human being has the right to access to knowledge and to participation in its generation, application and diffusion: Though conditions will vary from country to country, and perhaps from cluster to cluster, eliciting from the friends a variety of endeavours, there are certain fundamental concepts that all should bear in mind. One is the centrality of knowledge to social existence. The perpetuation of ignorance is a most grievous form of oppression; it reinforces the many walls of prejudice that stand as barriers to the realization of the oneness of humankind, at once the goal and operating principle of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. Access to knowledge is the right of every human being, and participation in its generation, application and diffusion a responsibility that all must shoulder in the great enterprise of building a prosperous world civilization--each individual according to his or her talents and abilities. Justice demands universal participation. (The Universal House of Justice, Ridván Message 2010, para. 29) How is this perpetual process of generating and applying knowledge for the betterment of the world carried out? What does it look like at local, national, or international levels? What is the Bahá’í community learning about this? The Association for Bahá’í Studies invites all those engaged in such generation, application and diffusion of knowledge – from every field of endeavor and using diverse approaches – to analyze and explore what they have learned so far at its 37th Annual Conference. APPENDIX OF QUOTATIONS Those considering submitting proposals for the conference are encouraged to refresh their understanding of the guidance below, and more generally of the documents from which the selections below are drawn. The Cause needs more Bahá'í scholars, people who not only are devoted to it and believe in it and are anxious to tell others about it, but also who have a deep grasp of the Teachings and their significance, and who can correlate its beliefs with the current thoughts and problems of the people of the world. (Shoghi Effendi, from a letter written on his behalf to an individual believer, 21 October 1943, reprinted in compilation on Scholarship, no. 13) Over the decades, the Bahá'í community has gained much experience in these two areas of endeavour [social action and participation in the prevalent discourses of society]. There are, of course, a great many Bahá'ís who are engaged as individuals in social action and public discourse through their occupations. A number of non-governmental organizations, inspired by the teachings of the Faith and operating at the regional and national levels, are working in the field of social and economic development for the betterment of their people. Agencies of National Spiritual Assemblies are contributing through various avenues to the promotion of ideas conducive to public welfare. At the international level, agencies such as the United Nations Office of the Bahá'í International Community are performing a similar function. To the extent necessary and desirable, the friends working at the grassroots of the community will draw on this experience and capacity as they strive to address the concerns of the society around them. (The Universal House of Justice, Ridván Message 2010, para. 28) To read the writings of the Faith and to strive to obtain a more adequate understanding of the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s stupendous Revelation are obligations laid on every one of His followers. All are enjoined to delve into the ocean of His Revelation and to partake, in keeping with their capacities and inclinations, of the pearls of wisdom that lie therein. In this light, local deepening classes, winter and summer schools, and specially arranged gatherings in which individual believers knowledgeable in the writings were able to share with others insights into specific subjects emerged naturally as prominent features of Baha'i life. Just as the habit of daily reading will remain an integral part of Bahá’í identity, so will these forms of study continue to hold a place in the collective life of the community. But understanding the implications of the Revelation, both in terms of individual growth and social progress, increases manifold when study and service are joined and carried out concurrently. There, in the field of service, knowledge is tested, questions arise out of practice, and new levels of understanding are achieved. (Ibid., para. 9) Effective social action serves to enrich participation in the discourses of society, just as the insights gained from engaging in certain discourses can help to clarify the concepts that shape social action. At the level of the cluster, involvement in public discourse can range from an act as simple as introducing Baha'i ideas into everyday conversation to more formal activities such as the preparation of articles and attendance at gatherings, dedicated to themes of social concern--climate change and the environment, governance and human rights, to mention a few. It entails, as well, meaningful interactions with civic groups and local organizations in villages and neighbourhoods. (Ibid., para. 30) Other elements that speak to the nature of social action are derived from a particular perspective on the role of knowledge in the development of society. The complementarity of science and religion, the imperative of spiritual and material education, the influence of values inherent to technology on the organization of society, and the relevance of appropriate technology to social progress are among the issues involved. Views related to the generation and application of knowledge have implications not only for the nature of development but also for the question of methodology, which is the theme of Section IV. (Office of Social and Economic Development, Statement on Social Action, November 26, 2012, Sec. II, para. 5) Further involvement in the life of society should not be sought prematurely. It will proceed naturally as the friends in every cluster persevere in applying the provisions of the Plan through a process of action, reflection, consultation and study, and learn as a result. Involvement in the life of society will flourish as the capacity of the community to promote its own growth and to maintain its vitality is gradually raised. It will achieve coherence with efforts to expand and consolidate the community to the extent that it draws on elements of the conceptual framework which governs the current series of global Plans. And it will contribute to the movement of populations towards Baha'u'llah's vision of a prosperous and peaceful world civilization to the degree that it employs these elements creatively in new areas of learning. (The Universal House of Justice, Ridván Message 2010, para. 32) ___________________________________________ Call for Presentations Proposals are invited for presentations on (but not limited to) the above themes, as well as themes pertaining to creative processes and concepts within the performing arts, visual arts, and other modes of artistic expression. Presentations must explore an original question or proposition through a clearly described method or approach. Proposals must outline the presentation in detail and provide sufficient background on the topic and on the presenter’s qualifications for the review panel to assess the value of the contribution. A broad range of qualifications is recognized, beyond purely academic and/or professional. Proposals must be for substantially original work, either unpublished or not previously presented, or work which systematically continues the development of previously published or presented work. While many presentations are in the style of talks, the use of the arts and other diverse approaches is also encouraged. Presentations should be seen as a collaborative process, where the speaker engages conference participants in discussion on new work, which further advances that work. Papers will be considered for publication in The Journal of Bahá’í Studies. Proposals are especially welcome from youth and first-time ABS presenters. Guidelines for submissions are available on the ABS website (http://www.bahai-studies.ca/SubmissionGuidelines) and you can also contact the ABS if you would like further assistance with preparing a proposal. In keeping with the Association’s desire to emphasize scholarly exchanges and partnerships, special importance is being placed on interaction and collaboration among people working in similar or diverse but potentially overlapping fields. Therefore, there will be new opportunities to collaborate in presentations in addition to panel proposals from existing groups. Those submitting proposals will be asked to choose among: · a stand-alone presentation by a single or multiple presenters, scheduled for 60 minutes including time for discussion; · a panel presentation of two or more people who would collaborate from the outset, offering different perspectives on a common theme; · an individual submission with a special request to be placed (if possible) in a collaborative panel with presenters on related themes, for later discussion and interaction; · a poster presentation, in which a summary of your work is presented in a mixed visual and verbal poster format, and presenters interact with conference participants on a one to one basis or in small groups in a specified session. Guidelines on how to do a poster presentation can be found at (http://www.bahai-studies.ca/PosterPresentationGuidelines). Whether arranged from the outset by the collaborators or facilitated by the conference organizers, panel presentations will be scheduled for between 90 to 120 minutes, depending on number of participants and scheduling constraints. Panellists must be prepared for strict time-keeping to ensure that at least one third of the scheduled time is preserved for discussion. They must also be prepared to engage in discussion with their fellow panellists. Where possible, they should get to know each other and each other’s work in advance. Proposals must be submitted online at https://www.bahai-studies.ca/PresentationForm. Potential presenters unable to submit online may contact the address below for further information on alternate means of submission. The deadline for submitting proposals is 1 April 2013. ___________________________________________ Registration and Hotel Information Conference registration and hotel information are available on the ABS web site at http://www.bahai-studies.ca/UpcomingConference. For further inquiries, please contact the Association for Bahá’í Studies, 34 Copernicus St., Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N 7K4; tel.: 613-233-1903; fax: 613-233-3644; e-mail: <abs...@bahai-studies.ca>. Hotel reservations must be made directly with the conference hotel, Hyatt Regency Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Blvd., Irvine, CA 92614. To book your room, please call the Central Reservations at 1-888-421-1442, and refer to the group and meeting name “Baha’i Studies Conference.” You can also book online at https://resweb.passkey.com/go/8BAH Room rates are US $109 single/double, and US $119 triple/quad. These rates are guaranteed only until July 24, 2013 or until the room-block is full, whichever comes first. Reservations made after the cut-off date will be based on availability at the Hotel’s prevailing rates. The conference rates are extended to three days before and after the conference dates based on availability. __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:arch...@mail-archive.com Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:leave-692159-27401.54f46e81b66496c9909bcdc2f7987...@list.jccc.edu Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to ly...@list.jccc.edu Or subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News (on-campus only) - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
