Print

Print
conference in Riga

Dear colleagues,
The Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Latvia and Strategic Analysis Commission Under the Auspices of the President of the Republic of Latvia, have the pleasure to invite you to the International Conference with the title "Negotiating Futures - States, Societies and the World" held between November 11th  - November 14th in Riga. More details are to be found below. You are kindly invited to submit the titles of your presentations no later than September 15th, as well as the registration form filled in.
We hope you will respond positively to our invitation,
because your contribution in the conference will enrich
the panel of discussions. 

Sincerely yours,

Prof. Zaneta Ozolina
Head of the Department of Political Science
Director of the Advanced Institute of Social and Political Research
University of Latvia

Thirteen years have passed since Latvian independence was internationally recognized in 1991. Indeed, 2004 is an appropriate time for state and society in Latvia to reflect upon the great changes that have taken place over these years, as well as those changes still to come. Together with other east-central European post-communist countries, Latvia has completed the transition from totalitarian to democratic political regime. This has entailed going through many challenging stages of victory and defeat, achievement and setback, social participation and isolation. The regime transition, and an increasing distance from the negative inheritance of history, recently ended with accession and full membership of EU and NATO.

The last thirteen years have seen Latvia and the other countries in transition gather a great deal of experience in the changing role of the state, society and the international system. There are at least two primary categories to this transformation: the national and the international. The transition from totalitarianism to democracy has left a significant impact on the economy as well as society and the political system, which has in turn influenced the development of state and society. This state- and nation-building has coincided with Latvia’s integration into the international community. However, Latvia’s increasing participation in the global community has coincided with major changes in the international system and the organizations that shape this international world. This dynamic change in world politics and its mutual dependency has inevitably left an impact on the national policies of the member states.

These 13 years of transformation have defined the main aim of the conference - to address the future, the impact of national reforms on the international community, and vice versa. The University of Latvia and the Strategic Analysis Commission under the auspices of the President of the the Republic of Latvia hope to make this conference an annual event in Latvian academic life, inviting local and international academics and professionals to discuss topical themes. This conference aims to gather friends and colleagues made over the previous decade in Riga, as well as look to new networks of cooperation.

Workshops:

The Institute of Advanced Social and Political Research at the Department of Social Sciences, University of Latvia will publish the conference papers. Participants are invited to submit papers 5-7 pages in length by the 15th of September 2004. The publication will be presented at the conference.

Conference organizers will cover costs of coffee breaks, receptions and culture programme.

Executive Committee:
Anita Kalniņa
Daina Bāra
Marika Jurkāne-Laizāne
Anda Rožukalne
Kristīne Pabērza
Žaneta Ozoliņa

Executive secretary: Inga Kanasta
Lomonosova iela 1A,
Riga LV-1019, Latvia
Tel: 371 7089867
Fax: 371 7089885
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
<<registration form.doc>>



Best regards,

René Bekkers
ICS/Department of Sociology
Utrecht University
Tel. +31 30 253 1827
Fax +31 30 253 4405
[log in to unmask]
http://www.fss.uu.nl/soc/homes/bekkers