Nations and States: On the Map and in the Mind

Submission Deadline: November 4th 

Conference Date: April 15th-17th  

Location:  

International Affairs Building,
Columbia University, New York
Sponsored by the Harriman Institute 

Description: The ASN Convention, the most attended international and inter-disciplinary scholarly gathering of its kind, welcomes proposals on a wide range of topics related to nationalism, ethnicity, ethnic conflict and national identity in Central Europe, the Balkans, the former Soviet Union, the Caucasus, the Turkic world, and Central Eurasia. The Convention also invites proposals devoted to comparative perspectives on nationalism-related issues in other regions of the world, as well as theoretical approaches that need not be grounded in any particular geographic region. Disciplines represented include political science, history, anthropology, sociology, international studies, security studies, area studies, economics, geography and geopolitics, sociolinguistics, literature, psychology, and related fields The Convention is inviting paper, panel, roundtable, or special presentation proposals for three special thematic sidebars:  

•“History, Politics and Memory,” on the construction and contestation of the memory of historical events in sites, political discourse and historical research;  

•“Interpretive and Cognitive Approaches in Ethnography," on the richness and breadth of findings in the increasingly popular contextual approach to the study of nationalism and ethnicity;  

•“The Resurgence of Russia: Domestic and Foreign Policy Implications,” on the transformation in the discourse, policies and practices of the Russia internally and externally. 

For more information please visit: http://www.nationalities.org/convention/convention.asp

“New Models of Development” 2009-2010 SEVEN Fund Essay Competition

Submission Deadline: December 7, 2009. 

US$10,000 prize

Open to high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students worldwide. The S.E.VEN Fund(SEVEN) is announcing its 2009 - 2010 Student Essay Competition. This year we are seeking essays on inspiring new models of economic development from around the globe. The competition will award one (1) student prize of $10,000. The submission deadline is December 7, 2009 at midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST). Winners will be announced on February 7, 2010.  

Essay Question Business journalist Jeff Chu’s article “Rwanda Rising: A New Model of Development” (Fast Company Magazine, April 2009) tells the story of how the African nation of Rwanda is pioneering a new model of economic development that has broken existing paradigms and subverts traditional dynamics where rich donors parentalize the poor, and where development solutions are top-down, driven by sentimentality, and ultimately ineffective. Chu describes Rwanda’s model of development as placing the locus of responsibility for peace and prosperity on its own shoulders, using business as a force for positive change, turning mere sympathizers into friends, and benign donors into effective partners and investors. With strong leadership, a clear vision, and a mandate to control its own national economic destiny, Rwanda’s approach requires having not just a heart, but also more importantly, a mind for the poor. The more deeply one explores Rwanda’s model, the clearer it becomes that because all partners derive unique benefits this form of development is sustainable.  

The SEVEN Fund is looking for other models like this, at the national, regional, or city levels, where communities and leaders have decided to stimulate human and economic development through a “heretical mix” of business strategy, local wisdom, and mutual benefit. Essay writers are asked to review the article, “Rwanda Rising: A New Model of Development”, and in a similar fashion, tell the story of enterprise solutions to poverty in other places, to highlight where these models are taking root and flourishing around the world.  

The winner will be announced on February 7, 2010. The winning essay may be published on SEVEN’s website, or in selected magazines and publications. SEVEN intends to publish a selection of all submitted essays on its website and in other publications. By entering the essay competition, students are understood to give their permission for their essay to be used in that fashion.  

About S.E.VEN 

SEVEN is a virtual non-profit entity run by entrepreneurs whose strategy is to markedly increase the rate of innovation and diffusion of Enterprise-based Solutions to Poverty. It does this by targeted investment that fosters thought leadership through books, films and websites; supporting rolemodels - whether they are entrepreneurs or innovative firms - in developing nations; and shaping a new discourse in government, the press and the academy around private-sector innovation, prosperity and progressive human values.  

The aim of SEVEN Fund programs is to challenge the prevailing mindset in the fight against poverty. We want to stimulate discussion around the questions of whether wealth-creation may be the most effective solution to alleviate poverty. We invest our efforts and resources to discuss, find, research, and document examples where entrepreneurial success is shown to have led to poverty alleviation. In the process, we support entrepreneurs in developing countries with case studies, mentorship programs and publicity and services that help them succeed at what they do.  

Who can participate in this competition? 

The 2009-2010 student essay competition is open to high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students. Students may be in any field of study (including professional fields, such as medical, business, or law). If you are currently in college, you must be enrolled full-time at an accredited institution. If you are a high-school student or in the process of submitting applications to enter or re-enter college, you must have active applications underway and plan to be matriculated full-time at an accredited institution by the competition’s close date.  

How do I submit my essay?  

* Submit your essay electronically in an MS Word or PDF format only, using the submission form on SEVEN’s website. All information requested, including contact information, abstract, and essay should be included in a single document. The url is: http://www.sevenfund.org/contest-forms/new-model-development.php 

* Every essay MUST, in addition to the actual essay, include a 100 word abstract at the beginning of the document. Along with the submission, you MUST include the following information in the submission form, as well as on the first page of your submitted essay: 

* Your full name and mailing address, a contact telephone number and your academic email. 

* Your degree-level and field of study. 

* Your University’s name, official address and main telephone number as well as the name, phone number and email address of someone we may contact at the university (Faculty member, Department Chair, or registrar) to verify that you are enrolled as a full time student. 

* A brief paragraph biography of the author(s) Essays may not exceed 2000 words and must be written in English. Students may write an essay of less than 2000 words. Do not forget that you MUST submit an abstract along with your essay.  

Questions can be sent to info(at)sevenfund.org. Deadline for Essay submission: Midnight Eastern Standard Time, December 7, 2009  

The competition will award one (1) student prize of $10,000. Acceptable Use of Prize Monies:  

* Full Time Tuition 

* University/School Housing (only if it is to be paid directly to the University or School) 

* Payment against Student Loans 

http://www.sevenfund.org/new-models-development/index.php

Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy

Deadline: December 10th, 2009

Description: In a much-anticipated speech in June 2009, President Barack Obama, speaking from the Egyptian capital, sought a "new beginning" in U.S. relations with the Muslim world. Promising to move beyond terrorism and security to focus on issues of mutual interest, the President laid out an ambitious agenda for overhauling ties between his country and the world's 1.57 billion Muslims. Since the speech there has been considerable debate over its meaning and significance: were Obama's words to be accompanied by new programs and concrete initiatives, or were they merely intended to signal a new diplomatic posture towards the Muslim world?  Muslim audiences tended to welcome the speech, but indicated that they would reserve judgment until it was translated into action. Months after the speech-with the U.S. administration bogged down by healthcare reform, economic recovery, and ongoing challenges in Afghanistan-the path towards improved relations with the Islamic world remains unclear.

CSID's most recent conference invited reflections on what might be possible for the U.S. and the Islamic world under a new U.S. administration. Following naturally from this previous theme, its 11th annual conference will assess the state of U.S.-Muslim world relations a year after the Cairo speech. What, if anything, has changed in terms of how the United States approaches its major policy challenges in the Muslim world? Do we see signs that governments and other actors in the Muslim world regard the U.S. differently since the new administration came into office?

Paper proposals are invited from prospective participants on the following four broad topics related to the main conference theme.  Prospective presenters are also welcome to submit papers that fall outside these topics, but must establish their relevance to the broader conference theme:

A. The Cairo Speech Agenda: Fulfilled or Deferred?
How have U.S.-Islamic world relations fared in the year following President Obama's Cairo speech? Has the new U.S. administration delivered on its commitment to a "new beginning" with the Muslim world? Can we detect significant differences in how the United States is viewed by the Muslim world?

B. Democracy Development in the Muslim World: New Approaches or No Longer a Priority?
The previous U.S. administration placed a premium on democratization in the Middle East and Muslim world, but received mixed reviews on its implementation. Some argue that so far the Obama administration has largely abandoned the democracy agenda in favor of regional security interests. How does the current administration view democratization in the context of other challenges it faces in the Muslim world, and to what extent can we detect any policy shifts?

 C. The Role of American Muslims in U.S.-Islamic World Relations
President Obama made special mention of Muslim Americans in his Cairo speech. What role have Muslims in the United States played in promoting ties with the wider Muslim world and to what extent do they serve to promote economic development, political reform, and new thinking? Will the appointment of a Special Representative to Muslim Communities at the State Department have significant consequences for outreach to American Muslims and beyond?

D. The U.S. and Conflict in the Muslim World
From Afghanistan to the Israel/Palestine conflict, much of the U.S. relationship with the Muslim world continues to be defined by ongoing conflicts. How has the Obama administration dealt with these situations and have we seen any signs of new thinking?


Paper proposals (no more than 400 words) are Due by December 10, 2009 and should be sent to:

Prof. Peter Mandaville
Chair, Conference Program Committee
E-mail: conference2010@islam-democracy.org

 
Authors of accepted proposals will be notified by January 22, 2010 and final papers must be submitted by March 15, 2010.

Selected panelists and speakers must cover their own travel and accommodations to participate in the conference, and pay the conference registration fee by March 15, 2010.  Speakers and panelists coming from overseas will receive a contribution of $300 from CSID to defray travel expenses.

For more information please visit https://www.csidonline.org/

2010 Human Rights Essay Award

Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
American University Washington College of Law

Deadline: February 1st 2010

Description: The Academy is proud to announce the topic of the 2010 Human Rights Essay Award. This year’s topic for the essay in English is: “The Rights of Freedom of Expression and International Human Rights Law”. Deadline for submissions is February 1, 2010.
 
This annual competition seeks to stimulate the production of scholarly works in international human rights law. The Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law grants two Awards, one for the best article in English and one for the best article in Spanish. The Jury deciding the Award will be comprised of professionals with a recognized expertise in international human rights law. The best articles may be published in the American University International Law Review.
 
The Award in each case will consist of:
a scholarship to the 2010 Specialized Human Rights Program
travel expenses* to Washington D.C.
housing* at the university dorms
per diem for living expenses* for the three-week session
*subject to restrictions
 
Eligibility and Requirements
·      Participants may choose any subject related to the assigned topic: “The Rights of Freedom of Expression and International Human Rights Law”.
·      Candidates must hold a law degree.
·      Submissions must be unpublished legal papers in English, written solely by the candidate.\
·      Articles must not exceed 35 pages, including footnotes, and must be double spaced using 12-point Times New Roman font.
·      Articles must be submitted via email to hracademy@wcl.american.edu in Microsoft Word format.
·      The deadline to submit articles is February 1, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. EST.
·      Winners will be announced on April 1, 2010 on our website
·      A comprehensive list of rules is available at: www.wcl.american.edu/hracademy.hraward.cfm 

If you have questions please contact the Academy of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at 202-274-4070 or via email at hracademy@wcl.american.edu.