National Conference on Social Harmony, National Unity and Sustainable Peace on 25th - 26th March, 2010
BACKGROUND OF THE CONFERENCE
The twentieth century, plagued by the religious and ethnic polarization, has witnessed ethno-political conflicts, most of which remain unresolved and continue over the past decades. The protracted conflicts in the countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, and Philippines in South and South Asia region, instability across the vital regions of Middle East, particularly in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon, civil warfare in African countries such as Sudan, Congo, Somalia and Uganda and worst ethnic violence of Balkans in Europe have claimed thousands of human lives. In the modern society, widespread confrontations characterized with violent conflicts and tensions between state backed agents and non-state actors have become the defining feature of human society. These conflicts are not just confined to the boundaries of a nation state but are fluid and dynamic flowing across international borders.
Legitimacy of nation is derived from both its reflections of ethnic and cultural identities of various sub groups and social harmony among them. There are fundamental values in Indian tradition and culture that promoted social cohesion and unity and thus, people of different faiths and cultures lived in harmony and peace. But in the last few decades, communal and ethnic conflicts never seem far from the headlines of Indian mass media. Indian society is also encountering social and cultural fragmentation leading to dangerous trends that place National Unity at risk. Secularism, Pluralism, Multiculturalism and Unity in Diversity are the national frames of reference but remain as well meaning rhetoric and are unable to translate emancipatory intentions into practice. There had never been a need than now to embody universal humanness and develop strategies, policies and programmes that promote and promise greater tolerance for cultural diversity and legitimate ethnic identity. Thus, Social Harmony has become the ultimate wisdom of human race and fundamental value to our national well being. In reality, social harmony is advocated but not practiced. A great deal of thinking and efforts should go in tending and strengthening social harmony that would enthuse cultural continuum, facilitate peaceful co-existence of people of different faiths and cultural groups and celebrate diversity with a social goal of live and let others live. Any attempt to address the issue of conflicts and ameliorate tensions should not be made in isolation for it would aggravate the situation. One must employ careful blend of strategies that would reduce the risk of conflicts due to communal polarization and cultural fragmentation. Such an approach should be predicated on carefully thought out comforting frame of reference by which conflicts can be prevented and social harmony can be promoted. Unlike many kinds of scholarly endeavours, where intellectual discovery itself is an end in itself, in this regard we have persuasive reasons to prevent culture of violence and promote culture of peace.
We are evermore compelled to promote sustainable peace through peace action and peace building. Though we have considerable amount of literature on this, we need to contextualize the theoretical discourse, consolidate the experiences and best practices and evolve transformative political agenda that would embody universal humanness for harmonious living. This Conference on Social Harmony, National Unity and Sustainable Peace aims to provide platform for the International communities, State agencies, Policy makers, Peace workers, NGO’s, Educationists and Researchers for meaningful dialogue and evolving transformatory agenda towards tolerance for cultural diversity, social harmony, sustainable peace and national unity.
THEMES OF SESSIONS
- Ethnicity, Cultural Diversity and Identity: Challenges to Nation Building
- Social Justice, Human Rights and Social Harmony
- Pluralism, Multiculturalism and Secularism: Discourse and Practice
- Conflict and Violence Across Borders: Issues and Challenges
- Socio-Economic and Psychological Factors underpinning Violence and Terrorism.
- Political Dimensions of Societal Violence and Terrorism
- Conflict Management and Sustainable Peace: Best Practices
- Gandhian Ethics, Non-Voilence and Conflict Resolution
- Peace Process and Democracy: Towards Non-Violent Culture
- Responding to Terrorism: Challenges, Issues and Options
- Role of Civil society and International Organisations in Peace building
CALL FOR PAPERS
The major objective of the conference being knowledge and experience sharing as well as developing policy inputs, papers are invited from the Academicians, Researchers, Practitioners, Civil Society Organizations, International Organisations, Trainers and Policy Makers who are experts and have rich experience in this field.
SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACT
Those who are interested in presenting papers are requested to submit their abstracts in the designated themes in about three pages (three thousand words) in the electronic format (MS Word Format) with a hard copy through surface mail to the Organising Secretary. Abstract can also be submitted online at www. rgniyd.gov.in
THE ABSTRACT FORMAT
Title of the Abstract (Block letters) Name of the Author with designation, postal Address and e-mail id Text containing rationale and context, research strategy, findings/discourse and conclusion.
Font size - 12
Font Type - Times New Roman Series
Line space -1.5
The last date for the submission of the abstract is 20th February 2010.
Acceptance of the abstract will be communicated by Dr. D. Jayalakshmi, Professor, RGNIYD.
SUBMISSION OF FULL LENGTH PAPER
On receipt of the acceptance of the abstract, respective authors are requested to submit the full length paper in about 15 to 20 pages in electronic format with font size of 12 in Times New Roman Series with 1.5 line space. The last date for the submission of full length paper is 10th March 2010. Full length paper can also be submitted online at www. rgniyd.gov.in The authors of the selected papers will be invited to present the papers.
TRAVEL SUPPORT
Travel support will be extended to all the selected paper presenters and who submit the full length paper. Second or Third A/C train fare will be provided as per the eligibility.
LOCAL HOSPITALITY
Local hospitality for all the participants will be taken care of by the organizing committee. Boarding and Lodging facilities will be made available for the days during the conference.
REGISTRATION FEE
| Academicians, Professionals & Practitioners | Rs 750/= |
| Students | Rs 300/= |
| Foreign Delegates | $ 100/= |
Registration fee must be paid in the form of Demand Draft drawn in favour of The Director, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development payable at Canara Bank, Sriperumbudur,
REGISTRATION
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2. SUBMISSION OF FULL LENGTH PAPER
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CONTACT DETAILS
Director of the Seminar Dr. A. Radhakrishnan Nair |
Secretary of the Seminar Dr. D. Jayalakshmi |
For Further Details Contact: |
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