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Call for Papers Theme: Democracy Rising Subtitle: From Insurrections to 'Event' Type: GCAS World Conference Institution: Global Center for Advanced Studies Location: Athens (Greece) Date: 16.–19.7.2015 Deadline: 1.4.2015 __________________________________________________ Margaret Thatcher’s slogan, “There is no alternative” was a declaration of war that installed the horrors of neoliberal policies that have eroded and systematically undermined democratic and public-based projects for more than 30 years. The global financial crisis of 2008 exposed these neoliberal policies that have paved the way for the rise of an untouchable oligarchical class whose top 80 members now possess more wealth than the bottom half of the world’s population. It is now abundantly clear that neoliberalism has accelerated radical inequality and at the same time forced the world to conform to their unquestionable, anti-democratic policies, lest even greater disasters befall us. Faced with no alternative, on their terms, in 2011 a new series of insurrections began to emerge from the Occupy movement to Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, to Spain, Ireland, and Greece. The recent historic victory of Syriza brings forth the message that citizens must decide their own future and thus the reassertion of the primacy of politics takes place again in the world. In the wake of Syriza’s victory and the hope it articulates for the world, we propose a conference comprised of academics and activists from the birthplace of democracy, Athens, Greece. The purpose of the conference is to bring together intellectuals and activists to think through and propose strategic alternatives for democracy and its future. Thematics - Neoliberalism and Austerity Measures - Philosophy and Political Struggles - The Global Debt Crisis - Capitalism & Education - Democracy & Activism - European Union & the Euro-Zone - The Rise of Fascism in Europe - Neoliberalism and Globalization - Uniting the Workers with the Intelligentsia - The Hope of Left Governance - The Rise of Podemos in Spain - Organizing Locally & Globally - Inequality & Democracy Format Academics and activists are invited to give papers on relevant topics that support the conference’s description. Papers can be presented in Athens, Greece, or in some cases, via the Internet. In either case, papers should be no longer than 20 minutes in length. In addition to individual papers, we encourage panel proposals consisting of 2-4 participants. Panel sessions should be no longer than 40 minutes in length. This conference will be hybrid in that it will be broadcasted live on the internet making it one of the first academic conferences in the world to be live and available to all. Submissions 250 word Abstracts for Papers, and 500 word abstracts for Panel Proposals should be submitted no later than April 1, 2015 midnight Eastern European Time to <sub...@thegcas.com>. Please include a photo and a very short Bio in your submission. Please also state in the subject title of your email either “Paper” or “Panel Proposal” and whether or not your paper or panel will be presented at the conference or via the Internet. NOTE: Panel Presentations: If your panel is being delivered via the Internet the individual members that comprise your panel can present from anywhere in the world so long as their Internet connection is excellent. You will need to verify that all Internet connections range between 6-10 Mbps so that access quality is at a premium. Acceptance/Rejection emails will be sent no later than April 15, 2015. The papers will be judged by the Conference Organization Committee. Registration Registration is free & open to the public for participants in Athens & $5 for participants on-line (to help cover Internet infrastructure including access (purchasing a subscription), security, equipment, and technical services). Please register as soon as possible: https://globalcenterforadvancedstudies.wufoo.com/forms/z154dnz71hyo08b/ Presenters Fees are $20 per person or $40 per panel presentation. Conference Dinner $30 Athens (TBA) Registration deadline for on-line participants is 1 July 2015. A course will be designed and offered on this conference, details forthcoming. Outcome The Editors of Insurrections Series at Columbia University Press have agreed to consider supporting the proceedings for publication. Some papers will also be considered for GCAS’s Journal via GCAS Press. Language & Translation Greek & English Translation capabilities will be available if enough donations are provided to support this service. Please consider donating. When you donate please specify “GCAS Conference”. Donate here: https://globalcenterforadvancedstudies.org/donate/ Speakers Keynote: Costas Douzinas, Jodi Dean, Bruno Bosteels & Maria Aristodemou Kenneth Surin, Azfar Hussain, Maria Nikolakaki, Athena Athanasiou, Creston Davis, Athina Karatzogianni, Kostis Karpozilos,Dimitris Dalakoglou, Leonidas Vatikiotis, Claudia Landolfi, Peter Thompson, Julie Resche, Theodore Koulouris, Sigrid Hackenberg and special guests from Syriza and Podemos. Conference website: https://globalcenterforadvancedstudies.org/gcas-world-conference/ __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
