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.  

_______________________________________ 

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); 

2 

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. 

1. 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.  

3. 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).  

4. 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. 

5. 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. 

6. 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 

3 

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).  

7. Local information 

Weather and climate; information on tours and planned excursion, if any; types of available  accommodation and its costs; visa requirements.  

8. 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