CELEBRITY DIPLOMACY AND NORTH/SOUTH RELATIONS CALL FOR PAPERS This is an informal call for papers for a volume on ‘Celebrity Diplomacy and North/South Relations’ (working title) to be edited by Asteris Huliaras, Associate Professor at the Department of Geography, Harokopion University of Athens and Liza Tsaliki, Lecturer at the Faculty of Communications and Mass Media, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Media and cultural studies have extensively addressed celebrity culture, while, from an international relations point of view, the role of individuals in public diplomacy has been researched for quite a long time. The two, however, have rarely been studied in conjunction. We argue that there is a research void which we wish to address by bridging together the research areas of public diplomacy and celebrity culture with particular reference to North-South relations. Celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Mia Farrow, Sir Bob Geldoff or Bono have long been in the limelight for their humanitarian work and political activism across the globe. It would be interesting to explore the ways in which such celebrities have impacted upon international diplomacy. We would like to invite contributions (a brief description of 500-600 words) from academics of various backgrounds (international relations, political science, media studies, sociology, anthropology etc.). We are particularly interested in contributions from the South. Proposals should address issues like: The rise of celebrity culture, celebrity diplomacy and the United Nations (Goodwill Ambassadors); the different backgrounds of celebrity activists (Hollywood, the music industry, etc.) and the ways in which they promote their causes and mobilize public support; the role of celebrities in raising political issues (global poverty, AIDS, etc.); links between traditional and celebrity diplomacy; the relationship between celebrities and organized civil society; the impact of celebrities on foreign policy-making and their role in international crises (such as Darfur); the way in which celebrity activism is perceived in both the North and the South. Both theoretical and empirical proposals (for instance focusing on a particular celebrity or a particular issue) are welcome. On the basis of the chapter proposals received, a book proposal will be drafted to be submitted to an internationally acclaimed publishing house. It is hoped that on the strengths of the book proposal, a research network and conference may be organized, funded by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please send your proposals (a 500-600 word abstract) and a short cv by 15 July 2008 to: [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask] Editors: Dr Asteris Huliaras, Associate Professor at the Department of Geography, Harokopion University of Athens. Dr Liza Tsaliki, Lecturer, Faculty of Communications and Mass Media, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. -- dr liza tsaliki lecturer faculty of communication and media studies national and kapodistrian university of athens 5 stadiou st., 105 62 athens, greece email: [log in to unmask], phone ++30.210.368.9406 (non-direct) - fax ++30.210.322.0820 (attn of) visiting research associate dept of media and communications london school of economics [log in to unmask] www.eukidsonline.net international journal of media and cultural studies, commentaries editor http://ics.leeds.ac.uk/mcp