Call for Papers
Wounds, Scars, and Healing: Civil Society and Postwar Pacific Basin Reconciliation
Concluding Conference
In commemoration of the 70th anniversary since the end of the war
30 September, 1 and 2 October 2015 at the University of Sydney
Conference themes
Seventy years after the end of the war, Japan and its neighbours have negotiated a fragile but real
transition towards lasting peace and reconciliation, an achievement that has been charted over a
series of four conferences held in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 in Sydney, Seoul and Kyoto. Previous
conferences have explored measures taken at official and government level, gestures of memorial
diplomacy and the impact of the arts, literature and cinema in challenging stereotypes and offering
new grounds for understanding. For this fifth and final conference we invite contributions on the
significant role of Civil Society in contributing to the process of healing. Social movements and
citizens’ campaigns at grassroots level have become formidable agents for change by lobbying
governments and mobilising public opinion on issues such as the representation of history in school
textbooks, comfort women, forced labourers from China and Korea, and nuclear disarmament.
We invite papers on the role of Civil Society but also those that add to aspects of reconciliation
covered in the previous conferences, especially where new research or events have intervened to
modify our understanding of this rapidly evolving area. For information on past conferences see the
School of Languages and Cultures Magazine, Issue 29, June 2014 :
http://sydney.edu.au/arts/slc/news_events/language_culture.shtml and the conference homepage at
http://sydney.edu.au/arts/publications/JOSA/index.htm
Associated Cultural Events
The conference is proud to support the premier performance of a Noh drama, Oppenheimer,
written by Allan Marett. The text is in English, the themes remorse and resurrection. The Japanese
translation will be available at the time of the performance. This play will be performed at the
Conservatorium of Music, the University of Sydney on 30 September and 1 October and will be one
of the highlights of the 2015 cultural year.
An exhibition of material from The Ritsumeikan Peace Museum relating to the Fifteen Year
War 1931-45, and the efforts made by grassroots organisations to overcome the legacies of this war.
If legal issues are cleared we intend to show the legendary 1953 film, Hiroshima.
Opening Address
Former Prime Minister of Australia, Paul Keating (to be confirmed)
Keynote Speakers
Donald Keene
Thomas Keneally, author of the recent novel on the Cowra Breakout: Shame and the Captives
Richard Flanagan, author of The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Winner of The Man Booker Prize
2014 – (to be confirmed)
Prospective Guest Speakers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Yuki Tanaka, Hiroshima City University
Akihiko Kimijima, Ritsumeikan University
Joan Beaumont, Australian National University
Christina Twomey, Monash University
Aiko Utsumi, Osaka University of Economics and Law, Director of Centre for Asia Pacific
Partnership
6. Pankaj Mohan, Academy of Korean Studies
7. Professor Keiji Sawada, Waseda University
Submission of Panel Proposals and Individual Papers
We invite panel proposals (30 min x 3 presenters) as well as individual papers. Diverse perspectives
are welcome, for example, on legal, social, media or cultural issues. The due date for submission of
the panel proposals and individual papers is 30 April 2015. Submissions should include an abstract
of approximately 250 words from each presenter and 250 words from a panel organizer. The
committee will notify presenters whether their papers are accepted by 31 May 2015.
Possible topics for panels, individual papers, poster presenters and PhD student forums are listed
below. You may also propose additional panels.
After receiving your abstracts our assessors will send you brief feedback and allocate your paper to
the most suitable panel.
1. POWs and the Tokyo Trials
(English, Japanese, Australians, Americans, Koreans and the Dutch)
2. The Origin of Japanese democracy and pacifism – the Peace Constitution, (Australian Network
for Japanese Law)
3. Hiroshima and Nagasaki
4. Japanese Army Sex Slaves
5. History Textbook issues
6. The Thai-Burma Railway
7. Chinese views of Japan’s pacifism
8. Korean views of Japan’s pacifism
9. Grass-roots civil movements and NGOs
10. The role of RSL and veterans’ associations
11. Peace activism and peace movements
12. War orphans
13. Malay Peninsula Peace Cycle (MPPC)
14. Repatriations, pensions, individual war compensation claims
15. Representations of peace and reconciliation through the arts
16. Transgenerational memory
17. PhD students’ forum
Registration
•AUD420 (Early Bird by 30 June 2015) and AUD470 (after 30 June 2015).
Postgraduate students and retirees: AUD320 (Early Bird by 30 June 2015) and AUD370 (after 30
June 2015).
All registrations include a ticket to the performance of Noh, “Oppenheimer” at the Conservatorium
of Music, entries to the Fifteen Year War exhibition and the film Hiroshima,
six teas and three lunches and Conference Proceedings.
•Optional conference dinner: AUD100
Scholarships for Postgraduate Students
Postgraduate students are welcome. Limited scholarships for travel costs will be available if their
papers are accepted.
Further Information
The homepage for the conference will be available in March 2015. Meanwhile, if you have
enquiries please contact the the first two members of the organizing committee:
*Dr Yasuko Claremont, Japanese Studies: yasuko.claremont@sydney.edu.au
*Dr Roman Rosenbaum, Japanese Studies: roman.rosenbaum@sydney.edu.au
Dr Judith Keene, Department of History: judith.keene@sydney.edu.au
Professor Michael Lewis, Japanese Studies: michael.lewis@sydney.edu.au
Professor Jocelyn Chey, Chinese Studies: jocelyn.chey@sydney.edu.au
Professor Hugh Clarke (Oriental Society of Asutralia): hugh.clarke@sydney.edu.au
Dr Elizabeth Rechniewski, French Studies: elizabeth.rechniewski@sydney.edu.au
Please note: this initial Call for Papers will be updated from time to time. When the official
homepage at the University of Sydney is completed in March 2015 we advise you to check
there for the latest information.