Invitation
to an International Conference
Re-Learning to be Human for
Global Times: Humanity and the Modern Predicament
January 6-7, 2017
Santinikentan, India
with
Visva-Bharati University
Theme
The world of this 21st century
is basically ultra modern in character and can be
considered a turning point in the annals of humankind.
Due to the new scientific inventions and globalization
it has experienced tremendous changes in the economic,
social, cultural and political spheres which have broken
down the barricades of the multi-dimensional identity of
humankind to emerge as a multi-cultural and monetary
exchange. From a broader outlook this appears to be a
good sign of progress, but if we look more deeply then
it becomes obvious that these are related to our
external or material development only and that the inner
life of humanity is decreasing day by day. Only in this
modern scientific world violence, conflicts, blood-shed
and terrorist activities are taking place in the various
corners of the world. Due to our tampering upon our
natural environment problems are widening gradually
spreading broadly. There is a sharp competition among
the different nations to accumulate atomic/molecular
deadly weapons. This is not only destructive by nature
but also signals the extinction of human civilization.
In this modern world man has become his own most
dangerous being. Industries are more conscious for their
monetary profit at the expense of their humanitarian
nature. As a result, human values, moral
responsibilities, fraternal relations, social justice,
equal and just treatment, respect for the dignity of
human beings, etc. are gradually weakening. In this
modern world we are unable to say that we are in perfect
peace.
In this modern world humanity is perplexed regarding its
own nature and passing through crucial times. We are
truly in dismay, not understanding what we shall do?
There is no guarantee that we will survive tomorrow,
because human existence is facing a tremendous challenge
at various social levels. This is the disgrace of our
modern world. Scientists are unable to resolve this by
themselves and thus, the role of philosophers,
metaphysicians and intellectuals have become very
important here to save this world. For
that, mutual co-operation, inter-faith understanding,
cultural exchange, moral obligations and above all a
humanitarian approach need to become more effective in
order to overcome this situation. They will have to
accept this challenge for the sake of global humanity
and at the same time we will have to understand the
emerging situation of this modern predicament in
humanitarian terms. For that we will have to more
intensively humanized rather than mere human beings.
India is a country which has never worked merely for
bread rather than for humanity here holds more priority.
Its notions of moral values, all pervading divinity,
spiritual appeal and peace to all can help to
mitigate/overcome this challenge.
Hence, this collaborative conference on Humanity
and the Modern Predicament will
help to work together through moral, logical and
humanitarian approaches in rethinking the human
potentialities and the environmental as well as cultural
crises of the modern world.
Sub-themes for discussion :
-
Humanity, Multi-Cultural
character and the Modern World Order.
-
Creating understanding –
through Philosophy, Religion, Ethics and Psychology.
-
Logical and Metaphysical
search for dialogue in the view of Indian and
Western Philosophy.
-
Philosophical understanding
of the present world crisis and the process of
Cultural transformation.
-
Cultural, Spiritual and
Identity Crises and ways of their resolution
-
Moral and Humanitarian
approaches for dialogue in the Media and Information
Technology.
-
Political transformations in
the public thinking in the context of globalization
and present market economy.
-
Changes in thinking on an
individual, group and social level in the present
society.
-
The Role of Indian
philosophy, Religion and Culture in saving the
Humanity.
-
Value alterations in the
contemporary society towards tolerance and empathy.
-
Freedom and Responsibility as values of mutual
understanding.
-
Varieties of Terrorism,
modern religious identity and secularism.
-
Feminism and the Modern
Predicament.
-
Building positive society
and the transfiguration of subjectivity.
-
Environmental problems and
their philosophical solution.
-
Development of democratic institutions and the
promotion of civil society.
-
Development of a value based
education and present cultural issues (Tagore,
Vivekananda, Gandhi, Aurobindo and Iqbal).
-
Intercultural dialogue in a multicultural society.
Abstract:
We seek proposals and abstracts (of 500-700 words) from
interested participants for the conference before
November 30th, 2016. Abstracts
should be edited and ready to print in the book to be
released before the conference.
Full Text/Paper (up
to 15,000 characters or 2,400 words) will have to submit
before participation in the conference. A list of
relevant literature, references and notes should be at
the end of the article and maintain international
standards.
The conference Committee reserves the right to
select abstracts and texts, whereupon personal
invitations to attend the conference will be sent.
Please send the abstract and a
brief C.V. to Professor Md. Sirajul Islam [siraj_tuli@yahoo.co.in],
Cell No: ++91-9732071184 and [cua-rvp@cua.edu.]
Selected full papers will be published in English
by the RVP, Washington, D.C.; USA.
The conference will be held in the form of
successive sessions, panels and discussions with
speeches of 20 minutes, panel participation - 15 minutes
and discussions - up to 5 minutes.
Conference languages: English.
Logistics: There
is no registration fee for the invited speakers/resource
persons. All travel and hotel expenses will be covered
by the participants (or their institutions).
Contact:
Professor Md. Sirajul Islam [ siraj_tuli@yahoo.co.in]
Dr. Rekha Ojha, [drrekha3@gmail.com]
Dr. Gour Hajra, [hazra_gour@yahoo.com]
Visva-Visva-Bharati University
Santinikentan, India
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