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The World Civic Forum (WCF), jointly initiated by Kyung Hee University
and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
(UNDESA), will hold its inaugural forum on May 5-8, 2009 at the
COEX in Seoul, Korea under the main theme of “Building
Our Humanitarian Planet.” The WCF 2009 emerges
from the leading collaboration between the UN and institutions of
higher learning, and aims to develop into an ongoing global institution
with the partnership of like-minded actors such as NGOs, international
organizations, governments, private enterprise, and the media. As
a venue for global reflection and dialogue to enhance future civilizations,
it will address the internationally agreed development goals including
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) from various perspectives
of education, research, and practice. The WCF 2009, to be followed
by succeeding ones biennially thereafter, will highlight the following
themes.
MAIN THEME: BUILDING OUR HUMANITARIAN PLANET
Our Earth is calling for a humanitarian regeneration. Despite scientific
and technological progress, today we are faced with global problems--in
particular, national conflicts and insecurity, environmental destructions
and climate change, global injustice and underdevelopment, and alienation
between civilizations--due to the loss of values of humanity in
the course of modern civilization. Redeeming humanitarian values
fully to our lives, however, is a daunting task. It requires integrative
collaboration across sectors, disciplines, and nations. As much
as damage to humanity has generated complicated ills in every corner
of our Planet, we need a holistic initiative transcending conventional
boundaries and scopes and reflecting planetary consciousness in
order to cure the ills. This integrative, collaborative, and trans-boundary
initiative would complement the existing efforts that have been
made within a more bounded range of interests and concerns.
KEY THEMES: CIVIC VALUES, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND CIVIC ACTION
- Civic Values for Global Justice
- Civic Engagement in Public and Global Governance
- Civic Action for the Global Agenda Including Climate Change
The themes suggest a necessity for reflection and dialogue to
address the global challenges facing humanity and future civilizations.
Civic Values have to do with people’s perception, understanding,
belief, and judgment that typically promote but sometimes hamper
a maturation of humanity and civilization. Civic Engagement refers
to network, organization, alliance, and partnership in diverse levels
and fashions that may contribute to public and global governance.
Civic Action involves movement, campaign, and decision-making by
a wide range of actors as a reflection of their endeavor to solve
global problems including climate change.
Along with keynote speeches by globally renowned figures, the WCF
welcomes applications for papers and panels. In an effort to substantiate
the main and key themes, the WCF will pay particular attention to
papers and panels on the following issues:
-Climate Change (Global Warming)
-Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
-Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development
-Energy Shortage
-Economic Prosperity and Equality
-Poverty and Foreign Aid (ODA)
-Higher Education for Humane Purposes and Social Responsibility
-Global Justice and Social Harmony
-Political Development and Political Stability
-Human Rights Issues and Human Security
-Cultural Diversity and Tolerance
-Global Peace and Global Governance
-Dialogue Among Civilizations
-Humane Use of Technology
-Crisis Management such as Post-conflict and Disaster
The WCF invites and welcomes submissions for papers and panels
on other related themes or topics so long as they emulate the main
and key themes. The WCF will have preference for proposals that
are interdisciplinary or have practical implications.
HOW TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS
This Call for Papers and Panels is open to all members of the global
community--scholars, international organization leaders, NGO leaders,
government officials, corporation representatives, journalists,
etc. Individuals, institutions, or groups may propose papers or
panels by completing the Paper and Panel Proposal Form via on-line
at the WCF 2009 official website: http://www.wcf2009.org/callpaper_form.php
. A panel consists of three to four paper presentations, a chairperson,
and discussant(s), or it can take the form of a roundtable. Individually
submitted papers, upon acceptance, will be assigned to appropriate
panels or poster sessions. The WCF reserves the right to refuse
proposals or alter panel proposals. All submissions should be in
English. Accepted presenters must register as conference delegates.
All presentations and papers will be published on the conference
website. Presentations and papers may also be published (with agreement
of authors) in the conference proceedings. Registration fee and
incentives for speakers will be announced shortly.
DEADLINE FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSIONS
: January 31, 2009
The deadline for proposal submissions is January 31, 2009. The WCF
will confirm acceptance of submissions, at the latest time, by February
28, 2009. Acceptance process will proceed on the first-come-first-serve
basis. Proposals received after the deadline may be considered but
are unlikely to be included in the program.
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