This is an open call for organizing and hosting World Anthropology Congresses (every 4 years, next available date in 2027). Proposals are welcome at any time, but the WAU Steering Committee seriously prefers receiving proposals at least 48 months in advance to allow the WAU Steering Committee time to discuss and select a proposal and for the chosen organizers to do all the work necessary for a World Anthropology Congress to take place successfully. Please consult the template Memorandum of Understanding (available on the WAU website) and write to the following two colleagues: IUAES President (Junji Koizumi) at koizumi(at)hus.osaka-u.ac.jp and WCAA Chair Isaac Nyamongo at inyamongo(at)cuk.ac.ke
World Congress:
The World Congress started in 1934 (known then as ICAES) and ever since has been regularly held all around the world. Following the creation of the World Anthropological Union in 2018, we are now switching to having all World Congresses be WAU World Congresses. Selection of the host for the 20th World Congress will be decided, after presentation of proposals by the candidates, by a vote of the WAU Steering Committee.
Host:
Please note that World Congresses are held, hosted or organised by national/regional anthropology associations, by universities or institutions of the country, by WCAA Task Forces, or by one or more than one IUAES Commissions. We welcome proposals from anthropology or ethnology associations, organizations or institutions as well as proposals submitted by WCAA Task Force chairs and IUAES Commission chairs. The WAU Steering Committee very much appreciates and encourages all anthropologists’ participation in the intellectual activities of the WAU. Demonstrated commitment to anthropology and the academic quality are given the highest priority in considering proposals. Adequate rotation of venues between continents is also a consideration.
Proposal:
All proposals must include a formal letter of proposal according to the guidelines provided below and keeping in mind the various elements spelled out in the MoU (see the WAU website for the template). Proposals will be carefully examined and assessed, and the WAU Steering Committee will be in contact with the proposers if there is any need for clarification. Before a proposal is approved by the WAU Steering Committee, the organisers will be expected to make a presentation to the WAU Steering Committee. That presentation might be in person or online, depending on circumstances.
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IUAES World Congresses (in the past)
London, UK (1934); Copenhagen, Denmark (1938); Brussels, Belgium (1948); Vienna, Austria (1952); Philadelphia, USA (1956); Paris, France (1960); Moscow, Russia (1964); Tokyo, Japan (1968); Chicago, USA (1973); New Delhi, India (1978); Quebec and Vancouver, Canada (1983);
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Zagreb, Croatia (1988); Mexico City, Mexico (1993); Williamsburg, USA (1998); Florence, Italy (2003); Kunming, China (2009); Manchester, UK (2013); Florianópolis, Brazil (2018): Delhi, India (2023)..
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Please submit your proposal giving information on the items below (and keeping in mind the various points spelled out in the MoU). There is no submission form.
If inadequate information is provided, the WAU Steering Committee may not consider the proposal.
- General information
The month and year in which the proposed congress will occur; the city and country. 2. Information about the proposer
Names of the person/s responsible and of the proposed congress convenor; those persons’ titles/positions and institutional affiliations; their office addresses, phone numbers (with country codes) and e-mail addresses.
- Organization of the congress
Name of the host organization (national organization and/or academic institution); name(s) of the WCAA Task Force, if the proposed congress is to be organized by one or more of the WCAA Task Forces: name(s) of the IUAES Scientific Commission(s), if the proposed congress is to be organized by one or more of the IUAES Commissions; names of supporting or cooperating anthropological associations or institutions (of your country/region) – with evidence of that support; names of supporting or cooperating international associations or institutions – with evidence of that support; names of the members of the local organizing committee (the body ultimately in charge of organizing the congress, in close collaboration with the WAU Steering Committee).
- Academic plans
Conference theme/topic; the intended objective for holding the proposed congress; plans for calls for panels/papers; plans for publication of proceedings, books and so forth, if already committed.
- Details of proposed congress
Proposed date of the congress; type of congress (hybrid or online only); proposed venue (for hybrid congresses); expected number of participants; the reason why the proposed location is a good one for a WAU congress. Please know that the WAU is particularly interested in invigorating local development of anthropological scholarship in various regions of the world.
- Finance
Names of agencies or organizations likely to provide financial support; availability of grants, subventions and other financial resources; availability of travel subsidies for colleagues from low-income regions; expected registration fees; a statement of commitment that all congress
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participants will be required to be individual members of the IUAES or members of the member associations of the WCAA, and that the congress organizers will collect IUAES membership fees and remit that fee income plus the income from any premium that non-members of the IUAES or of WCAA member associations are charged; a statement about responsibility in case the WAU World Congress or WAU annual Congress suffers a financial loss or produces a financial surplus. All financial losses will be the responsibility solely of the congress organizer and WAU will not be liable in any way. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) document will be signed once the proposal has been approved (a template MoU is available on the WAU website).
- Local information
Weather and climate; information on tours and planned excursion, if any; types of available accommodation and its costs; visa requirements.
- Other
Related events; experience in organizing large-scale (inter)national conferences; present state of preparation for the proposed congress; other relevant information.
Submit necessary information with your letter of proposal to: IUAES President (Junji Koizumi) at koizumi(at)]hus.osaka-u.ac.jp
WCAA Chair Isaac Nyamongo at inyamongo(at)cuk.ac.ke