Call for Proposals

The University of Havana, Cuba

and

The Global South Caucus of the International Studies Association

International Workshop

6-8 July 2017 (Thursday to Saturday)

At the University of Havana, Cuba

In cooperation with the Coordinadora  (Coordinadora Regional de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales (CRIES), Argentina

The Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Sociales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)

And

The Instituto de Estudos Estratégicos (INEST), at The Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF),
Niterói, Brazil.

Title: Exploring the Local in International Relations

The Global South Caucus of the International Studies Association (GSCIS) is dedicated to expanding the theoretical and practical horizons of the discipline of International Relations (IR), which has been largely shaped by Western and global northern experiences. It is now fairly well recognized that the study of IR has tended to devalue the ideas and experiences of global south countries and peoples. To change this, in the interest of developing a truly global IR, the GSCIS has been championing, as a first step, the exploration, discussion, debate, and formulation of local and regional narratives and practices of the south – Africa, Asia, and Latin America/Caribbean. This workshop follows up on larger conferences we have held in Menton (2012) and Singapore (2015) as well as panels we have sponsored at the International Studies Association’s annual convention since 2012, and a workshop co-sponsored with the Philippine International Studies Organization’s workshop in March 2017.

The Havana workshop, occurring in a country which has for decades promulgated alternative approaches both domestically and internationally, will both explore southern perspectives as well as assess the relationship between these and “mainstream” IR. Within these parameters, the workshop is open to all who wish to explore theoretical, methodological, empirical, and practical/policy-oriented research in IR.

,

Call for Proposals

Papers are solicited in the following areas (see also Panels below):

1. Local contributions to theory and methodology in IR and foreign policy analysis (FPA) in Asia (including Developing Eurasia), Africa, the Middle East and Latin America/Caribbean, Proposals can draw on historical experiences, culture and values, traditions and ideas, ethnographic preferences, or any related area. Comparative studies are especially welcomed.
2. Local contributions to the practice of IR in Asia (including Developing Eurasia), Africa, Middle East and Latin America/Caribbean. Contributions on the role and significance of policy research, governmental approaches, the role of development, diplomacy and diplomatic styles, nongovernmental and transborder/transnational practices, among others, are welcomed.
3. Dialogues between Western and non-Western interpretations of IR and FPA.
4. IR/FPA pedagogy: comparisons and contrasts of curricula around the world; sharing of experiences in teaching in a variety of environments.
5. Publishing and research experiences: cross-regional showcasing of local/regional funding opportunities, as well as outlets for research and publishing; gaps in publishing in the south; experiences with mainstream funders/publishers.

Structure of Submissions

Paper submissions should:

1) indicate under which of the categories listed in the “Call” above you would like your submission to be considered;

2) contain an abstract of no more than 100 words, clearly typed with a cover letter indicating institutional affiliation/contact information. Please provide as well five key words/concepts which can be used to highlight the contents of the proposed contribution.

Participants who submit papers may be asked to serve as panel chair, coordinating the presentation in terms of order and time and summarizing the highlights of the session for delivery to the conference committee.

Panels: Although the workshop will be organized by categories listed in the “Call” above, and the organizers will put papers together based on those, we anticipate that there may be room for a few complete pre-formed panels. If you would like to submit a complete panel, you should include an abstract and five key words/concepts which highlight the contents of the proposal. Proposals should include a brief description of any special arrangements needed (beyond the usual presentations followed by interaction with the audience). Proposals should also include information (names, affiliations, and e-mail addresses) of all participants. Note that acceptances will be sent to the chair for dissemination to panel members.

Submissions should be emailed to the following based on the geographical location of the proposer (NOT the geographical subject of the proposal):

USA, Canada, Europe:
J. Braveboy-Wagner (CUNY-New York), jbraveboy-wagner@gc.cuny.edu

Asia (including Developing Eurasia)
and Middle East:
Imad.Mansour (Qatar University), imad.mansour@mail.mcgill.ca or Jason Strakes, OSCE Academy:

j.strakes@osce-academy.net

Africa:
Dêlidji Eric Degila (ENA-Benin), ericdegila@yahoo.com
Latin America: Consuelo Davila (UNAM-Mexico), consuelo_davila@yahoo.com 
or

Thiago Moreira De Souza Rodrigues (INEST, Brazil), trodrigues@id.uff.br

Timelines

Deadline for proposals            –          February 15, 2017

Notification of acceptance      –          March 15, 2017

Deadline for full paper upload  –        June 15, 2017

Registration: All accepted participants must pre-register and pay registration fees by April 15, 2017. Credit card payments are not permitted in Cuba and we cannot accept cash payments onsite. All payments must be made via the ISA website.

The last day to withdraw is June 1, 2017.

Workshop Registration Fees

• For members of the Global South Caucus: US$100 per person/Student members: $80.

(ISA members who are not members of the Global South Caucus must join the caucus membership costs $5)

• Non-ISA, non-Cuban members: US$180.
• Cubans: Waived
• Onsite registration will be available for Cubans only. Foreign participants MUST pre-register since no credit cards are accepted in Cuba.

Payments must be made upon (pre)registration. Further information on how to register will be provided in acceptance e-mails and on our blog and ISA website.
Travel grants:

• Once accepted, participants can fill out a financial aid form. Depending on our budget, we may be able to give a small subsidy to some participants, particularly attendees from certain areas of the south. Any assistance will be disseminated after, not before or during, the conference. Further information will be provided after March 15.

Coming to Cuba

Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements but helpful information will be sent out soon. Airport Transfers: Conferees arriving at Jose Marti International Airport may use transfer services of any of the local transportation companies – Cubatur, Transtur and Transgaviota. The fee schedule and package options will be provided.

Please note that legal and visa requirements to enter Cuba vary. You should ensure that legal and other necessary documents are in order. Check with Cuban diplomatic or consular representatives/services in your country. The generally accepted and emerging protocol is that visitors to academic conferences/meetings use the “Tourist Visa Card” for travel to Habana, Cuba. These cards are usually available from the airlines or travel agencies when such entities are used. For visitors travelling from the USA, the airline will provide an affidavit for the attendee to complete. The suggested category for a meeting such as this is “Professional Research and Meetings.” The workshop organizers, ISA, and the University of Havana are NOT REPONSIBLE for your travel, legal, and visa arrangements beyond supplying you with acceptance letters.

Lodgings and Accommodations:  Participants can source accommodations at Airbnb. They should restrict their search to Vedado, and Centro Habana districts. Other close municipalities are Habana Vieja and Playa (the latter would require transportation as public transportation is available but the schedule may not fit the needs of the conference.) In addition to the casas particulares that are featured on Airbnb, several hotels including the Habana Libre, Hotel Presidente, Hotel Colina as well as other iconic Habana Hotels are close by. We will send out more information on pricing etc. later.

Re: Location of the workshop.

The workshop will take place at the Enrique Varona Building on the main campus of the University of Havana. This building is in the heart of the Vedado district, a location with a number of cultural and research institutes and government ministries in close proximity. It is minutes from the Prado and Plaza de la Revolution as well and about 15 minutes from Old Havana. There are also several hospitals and medical complexes in the vicinity.

Events

A cultural event is likely to be part of the workshop program.

Information on tours will be provided later.

We are looking forward to receiving your proposals. Thank you.

Workshop Organizing Committee

Chairs: J. Braveboy-Wagner (City University of New York) and Antonio Romero (University of Havana).

Members: Nanette Svenson (Chair GSCIS;  Tulane University)

Imad Mansour (Vice Chair, GSCIS, Qatar University)

Consuelo Davila (UNAM, Mexico)

Thiago Moreira De Souza Rodrigues (INEST, UFF, Brazil).

Delidji Eric Degila (ENA-Benin),

Elsada Cassells (CUNY), Local Arrangements.