1ST INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE ON

[BIBAR]

YERITAC Armenian Youth NGO (http://www.yeritac-am.org ) is organizing a scientific youth conference entitled ?National Democracies or Nations against Democracies ?? which will take place in Yerevan, Armenia, on July 3-7, 2006.

Abstract: The contradiction between democracy and national culture is an important issue faced by transformational societies worldwide. Post-soviet Armenia is one of the countries especially sharply fronting this contradiction. The scientific approach and conceptualization of the ongoing processes and their comparison to other societies? experience seem to be important to overcome the difficulties of the process of democratization in the country.

Purpose: The purpose of 1st International Youth Conference on National Democracies is to bring together young scholars, students, activists, etc. both from advanced democracies and transitional countries, who are enrolled in democracy studies and national studies to make an opportunity to discuss the possible issues of transitional democracies as to argue on the sharper aspects and find possible solutions.

Eligibility: Participants with following criteria are acceptable:

> - aged 18-27,

> - undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students of social sciences and humanities,

> - involvement in youth organizations, movements dealing with the issues of democracy is a plus

> - participants from all over the world are welcome to the event

> - good communication and writing skills in English.

>

Selection will be done based on gender and geographical proportional distribution.

Conference fee: $350 for foreign participants (includes hotel accommodation in double and triple rooms, nutrition, cultural trips, and participation fee). Travel, visa and insurance costs are not covered. 50% discounts are available for participants from Yerevan.

Scholarships: Limited number of scholarships is available for representatives from developing countries. Depending on country and on motivation participants can receive up to 40% discounts.

> For those participants, who will use the services of the Official Carrier of the Conference - Austrian Airlines to travel to Armenia, there is a tariff-reduction possible between 10 % and 20 % depending on the class of booking, etc. This reduction is only applicable for Conference participants with confirmed registration.

> Conference Details: The Conference will consist of scientific, cultural and entertainment parts. Scientific part includes paper presentations, meetings with speakers and workshop discussions. Cultural part includes cultural trips and discussions on National culture. Entertainment will be organized on each evening of the conference.

Application procedure:

> 1. Fill in the Application form (which you can find in http://www.yeritac-am.org) and send it to [email protected]

> 2. Write 1-page long abstract on one of the following titles:

> a. National Culture and Democracy, describing your vision of the possible conflict between democratic and local culture.

> b. Youth and Democracy, describing your vision of youth participation in the processes of democratization and adaptation of local cultures.

> c. Education and Democracy, describing your vision of democratic education and education leading to democracy.

> d. Nationalism, Cosmopolitism and Democracy describing of how you understand these three ideologies in the framework of contemporary societies.

>

Participants? personal approach to the specified issues is highly acceptable, however the abstract should be based on existing theoretical framework of the abovementioned issues (like revision of literature).

Deadlines:

> Deadline for applications is May 20, 2006. Successful applicants will be informed by May 27, 2006.

Outcome: Participants will have the following benefits from the Conference:

> 1. Opportunity to express their ideas, discuss with others and learn more about democracies and national cultures

> 2. Prepare and make a public presentation

> 3. Best papers will be published in a special publication of selected works, which will be distributed throughout of universities and scientific organizations.

> 4. Opportunity to discover Armenia ? a country on the crossroads of Europe and Asia (where silky road once passed), with interesting culture and new democracy.

> 5. Make contacts with persons with same interests from throughout the world

> 6. Organize interesting and productive summer rest.

For details - please visit www.yeritac-am.org or

> contact YERITAC YNGO - [email protected]