Apologies for cross-posting!
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Call for Papers
The Yugoslav Crisis: evaluating international responses and the way
forward
An international conference at the
University of Bradford, UK, March 25th and 26th 2000
http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/rusees/conference.html
Submissions for the conference are invited within the following themes:
International and strategic issues
The recent NATO/Yugoslav war has thrown into sharp relief a large number of issues that deserve
consideration. This is a huge area and we wish to limit topics to the following: an examination of the
process of NATO and EU enlargement into the Balkans - causes, difficulties and consequences; an
assessment of the Dayton and Kosovo settlements'; relations within rump' Yugoslavia; and the reasons,
real or presented, for NATO's actions over the Kosovo crisis and actual and possible consequences for
the Balkan region.
Responses to the crisis: NGOs and aid
The west' in general has involved itself extensively with Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Given the intense
interest and involvement of many NGOs and charities it is necessary to examine the effectiveness of
these organizations in the field'. Also needed are examinations of the concepts of civil' society and
democracy as applied to the Balkans and the role of NGOs and local government in this.
Challenging the nationalist paradigm
The predominant perception held within the wider public is that nationalism is responsible for the Wars
of Yugoslav Sucession. This view is being increasingly challenged and papers that address such issues
as class and urban/rural relations will be welcomed. Other topics suitable for inclusion in this theme are
those that examine the role of the Yugoslav media since 1991 - especially the independent media.
The environment
Any consideration of the environment generally assumes a very low profile in situations of conflict
although this has increasingly been highlighted in recent wars (such as the Gulf) and most recently in
Yugoslavia. Sober assessments of direct and indirect environmental damage caused by bombing are
needed - to include the bombing of chemical plants, food production systems and similar. Also needed
are papers examining the short vs long term effects of the war on the whole Balkan region, the often
forgotten environmental impact of refugees and environmental destruction as a military objective in
modern warfare. Finally we need to consider the environment as an issue for peace activists and war as
an issue for environmentalists.
The economic dimension
Economics is generally forgotten when explaining the collapse of Yugoslavia and when it is
remembered answers are generally sought within the rubric of imperialism.We wish to encourage
contributions that seek to address the economic space within Yugoslavia and examine the connections
with external phenomena - especially regarding Kosovo. We also need an evaluation of the effectiveness
and consequences of sanctions on former Yugoslavia, an examination of the relations between state and
non-state institutions within Yugoslavia, of development strategies' of foreign powers and the effects of
war. Official prescriptions for the future of Yugoslavia are generally along the lines of the policies
adopted towards other transition' states - which begs the question of transition from what to what? The
specific experiences of each transition' state are generally overlooked in the rush to encourage
marketisation - and in the case of Yugoslavia self-management (long unfashionable)is forgotten. Papers
that focus on the legacy of self-management and its implications for policy are welcomed.
Enquiries:
Enquiries should be made to Bob Jiggins ([log in to unmask] or +44(0)1484 329203) or John
Allcock ([log in to unmask] or +44(0)1274233993). The working language of the conference
will be English.
Abstracts (no more than a side of A4) should be sent by email (preferably) to [log in to unmask] ;
fax to +44(0)1274 720494 or post to the research unit. It is the intention of the organizers to seek
publication of the papers after the conference.
Please note that it is not expected, due to constraints of time, that *completed* papers be presented at
the conference - drafts are perfectly acceptable
Closing date: Friday 18th February 2000
Workshops
Organisations who wish to have an official presence at the conference are invited to present their
perspectives and work, and have this debated, in workshops grouped into the following themes: direct
aid & organizing aid in Britain; voluntary work and aid abroad; conflict prevention and resolution;
campaigning, education and peacework in Britain (including town twinning). Enquiries should be made
to the organizers by email: [log in to unmask], fax: +44(0)7050 644569 or phone: +44(0)1484
329203.
--
Bob Jiggins
For the international conference on Yugoslavia see
http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/rusees/conference.html
Announcement mailing list send blank message to:
[log in to unmask]
Tel: +44(0)7050 615511
Fax: +44(0)7050 644569
Email: [log in to unmask]
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