International Colloquium
Crossing Borders. On the Road toward Transnational Social Movement Analysis
5-7 October 2006
Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung

The political status of social movements has changed dramatically since the 1960s. Groups engaged in social movements have become legitimate political actors and their protest is conceived of as a normal form of participation. This process of change has meant that research dealing with the field of social movements has gained considerable weight in the analysis of political processes. The analysis of social movements has benefited particularly from the fruitful exchange between US research shaped by an organisational approach and European tradition drawing on the paradigm of collective identity. Over the years cross-country comparisons have become increasingly important. However, recent developments in the mobilisation of protest underscore the importance of processes beyond national borders. Some twenty years after the transatlantic exchange in social movement research has gained momentum, it is time to sum up this process, assess its achievements and outline the new challenges for social movement research today and in the future.

The basic conditions for engaging in social movements today are different from what they have been in the past. The steady decrease in the importance of the nation-state vis-à-vis allocation and regulation, and the progressive increase in the global networking of civil society actors are the two most crucial developments for the transnationalisation of social movements. Adding to this, information is more readily and easily attainable than it was before. Thus, the forming of political opinions is no longer based upon influence and information drawn solely from national public spheres. Social movement actors have adapted to this new situation by deploying transnational strategies to organise and communicate. Two cross cutting questions will surface during the discussions. On the one hand, historical analysis of transnationalisation in the context of social movements is necessary in order to assess the actual significance of the phenomenon. On the other hand, the issue of democracy is crucial. What impact might civic engagement have on changing democracies in times of globalisation? This international colloquium brings together scholars from Europe and the US to discuss these issues with young scientists working on the emergence of transnational social movements. Participants will discuss the history of social movement theory as well as perspectives for future research. In this vein, ongoing research projects which deal with transnational social movements will be presented and evaluated. To continue the reflection on social movement theory, the colloquium will leave room to discuss its public resonance. Research shapes both the public perception of social movements and the self-perception of social movement activists. Participants will have an opportunity at the end of the conference, to engage in discussion with journalists and activists.

Agenda
Thursday, October 5th
5:30 pm	Welcoming addresses: Dieter Rucht (WZB) and Roland Roth (Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal)
Introduction: "Transnationalization of Social Movements and Social Movement Theory", Donatella della Porta (European University Institute)
Friday, October 6th
9:30 am	Session 1: "Movements beyond Borders-Actors in Transnational Social Movements" Chair: Christopher Rootes (University of Canterbury)
11:45 am	Lunch break
1:15 pm	Session 2: "Transnational Movements-Transnational Public Sphere?", Chair: Ruud Koopmans (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
3:30 pm	Coffee break
4:00 - 6:15 pm	Poster Session: "Research Projects on Transnational Mobilisations", Introduction: Jackie Smith (Notre Dame University)
Saturday, October 7th
9:30 am	Session 3: "Networking social movement scholars-Reflections on transatlantic social movement research", Chair: Bert Klandermans (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
11:45 am	Lunch break
1:15 pm	Session 4: "Resonance from the field-Social movement theory, journalists, and activists", Moderation: Hanspeter Kriesi (Universität Zürich)
3:30 pm	Coffee break
4:00 - 6:15 pm	Concluding discussion Chair: Dieter Rucht (WZB)
 
To present a paper, please send an abstract to the chair of the respective session:
Session 1: Christopher Rootes, email: [log in to unmask]
Session 2: Ruud Koopmans, email: [log in to unmask]
Session 3: Bert Klandermans, email:  [log in to unmask]
To present a poster, please send an abstract of your research project to:
Simon Teune, email: [log in to unmask]
Applications from young scholars are particularly encouraged. 
Deadline for applications: May 2nd 2006

For further information, please contact:Simon TeuneWissenschaftszentrum Berlin für SozialforschungReichpietschufer 5010785 BerlinGermanyemail: [log in to unmask]


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