About the Conference Rapid urbanization, the growing importance of mega cities and the decreasing importance of small towns are global trends, particularly in the developing countries, which carry serious socio-economic and environmental implications that need critical analysis. Migration is a major factor contributing to rapid urbanization. In some mega cities, however, the growth rate has gone down, indicating significant rural development in the region. This raises a very fundamental question, in dealing with urban development can we restrict our observation only to urban settings or should we study such settings in their regional context? In cities where society is heterogeneous and pluralistic, particularly due to the presence of various ethnic communities, the situation is further complicated by the fact that for many immigrants moving to the city involves not only coping with physical distance but also with cultural barriers associated with different languages and regions. The expression “plural society” denotes a society made of a variety of communities. The lines of plurality may be drawn along one or more of several factors such as race, religion, caste, class, language, nationality, sub-regional differentiation, etc. All large societies have had to find ways of coping with such diversity and with the possible strains in the economic, social, political, religious and cultural spheres of life. What happens when people of different culture migrate to cities? Do they maintain their distinct identities? Tension and conflict result in different parts of the world when people’s expectations and aspirations are not fulfilled. These are important issues that require urgent attention. Many countries are traditionally pluralistic and based on ethnicity. However, the presence of different ethnic groups is often related to communalism, which is seen as being responsible for human rights violations. Human rights are not just individual or political rights and should be considered in a much broader context, linking also to development and growth. Development and growth are inevitably linked to globalization processes, to environment issues and to justice and equality. While the multi-ethnic character of society may be respected and cherished in principle, discrimination often occurs in the context of race, region, caste or religion. Various kinds of violations affect tribes, women, children, refugees or stateless people and other marginal groups. Identity crisis, ethnic conflict and violations of human rights are observed across the world. Peace may well be desired, but it is unfortunately absent in most areas. A crosscultural discussion on these issues can help to formulate better development strategies. Already approved sessions > > > Gendering of Social Space in Indian Cities Indigenous Community and Urbanization Is Immigration violating the human rights of indigenous populations? Urban Transformation and Human Rights in the City Citizenship and Human Rights: Challenges for the recognition of indigenous rights in Latin American cities Human Rights of the Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking Child Rights Convention and Education and Health Rights of Street Children and Children in Urban Slums Urbanisation and health Unrest, conflict and the issue of Human Rights Disadvantaged People and Human Rights: Emerging Challenges in the 21st Century Does urbanization seeks new definition of the pattern of landuse? Women Migrants into big cities: Agency and coping mechanisms Defining Citizenship and Rights: Challenges and Opportunities from Contemporary Urban Life. Protecting and Promoting all Human Rights of all Migrant Workers and Their Families: A Priority in Urbanization to-day Urbanization and Health Problems in Mega Cities Beyond Hills and Plains: Contextualising Urbanisation and Emerging Realities in North East India Urbanization, Social Inclusive Policies and Human Rights Tribal Land Alienation, Migration of Urban Population and Violation of Human Rights Health Research Ethics and Human Rights in Changing Scenario of urbanization Dalits and Human Rights Tribals and Development Policies With increasing globalization, the rights and interest of > ordinary people are often not protected. On the one > hand, the exploitation of natural resources has become > more intense, seriously affecting the environment; on > the other hand, people’s access and command over natural resources are denied or ignored. Development > models have often failed to address people’s expectations and aspirations. A critical analysis may > > help towards a better balance between industrially Dates to remember: developed urban societies and less developed predominantly rural, societies. Anthropology with its holistic approach is well positioned to address some of these challenges and may contribute to a more just world order; a world without war, without fear, without want and without injustice. Last date for session proposal: 30th November, 2010 Last date for paper abstract: 31st December, 2010 Date when acceptance will be communicated: 31st December, 2010 Last date for submission of filled in Registration form: 31st December 2010 Last date for submission of Early Registration fee: 31st December 2010 Registration after 9th February 2011/Spot Registration: Only by Cash ( INR) REGISTRATION FORM Title: Prof. / Dr. / Mr. / Ms. Sex________ LastName______________FirstName____________________ Designation/LastDesignation___________________________ Organization________________________________________ OrganizationAddress__________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Address for Communication _________________________________________________ Phone____________________________________________ Fax_______________________________________________ email______________________________________________ Passport details (for foreign delegates only) Nationality______________Date of Birth________________ Passport No_____________ Place of Issue ____________ Date of Issue____________Valid Up to _______________ Title of Presentation ___________________________________________________ Session ___________________________________________ Type of Aid required for presentation (OHP/LCD projector etc) ____________________ Accommodation required: YES/ NO If yes: No of days with dates and time ___________________ Accompanying person (Name and relationship with applicant)_________________________________________ Travel information: Arrival date ________Time______Flight/ Train no_______ Name of the port_________ Departure date________ Time______ Flight/ Train no______ Name of the port________ Registration fee: Cash/DD/MO/Cheque (please add bank fee if outstation) of Rs_______ No________________ Dated________________ Drawn on_______________________ Date Signature ___________________________________________________ Name of the Account: IUAES Inter Congress, Kolkata, SB Account No: 045010100120869 Axis Bank, 207, N.S.C. Bose Road, Kolkata-700040, International Swift Code AXIS IN BB005 Registration Fees (last date for Early Registration 31st December 2010): Developed country: $50 (Rs.2500/-) Developing country & SAARC countries: $30 (Rs.1500/-) Indian Participants (With accommodation): Rs. 1000/Indian Participants (Without accommodation): Rs. 500/Student Participants (India): Rs.250/Please add another 50% for accompanying person (i.e. 150% of normal registration fees) Please add 10% after 31st December 2010 or spot registration International Conference on Mega-Urbanisation and Human Rights: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities Advisory Committee: Prof. Ashoke Ranjan Thakur, February, 14-16, 2011 Vice-Chancellor, West Bengal State University, Prof. K. Basa, Director, Indian Museum, Dr.Giuliana B.Prato, University of Kent, U.K., Dr.Ilka Thiessen, Professor, Vancouver Island University, Canada, Dr. Clarence Dias, Director, Centre for Law in Development, UN Plaza, New York, Dr. Ranjit Sinha, Member Secretary, ICSSR Organising Committee: Prof. Ashoke Ranjan Thakur, Chairman, Prof. Buddhadeb Chaudhuri & Dr. Sumita Chaudhuri, Joint Convenor, Dr. Subir Biswas, Local Secretary, Members: Dr. Abhijit Das, Mr. Debashis Mondal, Mr. Sovan Chakraborty. Contact us: Prof. Buddhadeb Chaudhuri Chairperson of Commission on Human Rights, IUAES 4A, Fort Royale, 28 Prince Anwar Shah Road, Kolkata700033, India, Phone: 91-33-2422-8442 Fax: 91-332422-4829, (e-mail: buddhadebc@gmail.com). Dr Sumita Chaudhuri Regional Coordinator, Commission on Urban Anthropology, IUAES 4A, Fort Royale, 28 Prince Anwar Shah Road, Kolkata700033, India, Phone: 91-33-2422-8442 Fax: 91-332422-4829 (email : sumita_chau@hotmail.com) Dr Subir Biswas Local Secretary of the Conference Dept of Anthropology, West Bengal State University, Barasat, Kolkata-700126, India Phone: 91-33-25241975-79, Fax: 91-33-25241977 Mob: 91-9434874018, (email: gargisubir@gmail.com) Our dedicated conference email ID: urbanhrconference2011@gmail.com Joint Conference of Commission on Urban Anthropology and Commission on Human Rights, International Union of Anthropological & Ethnological Sciences Organized by Department of Anthropology West Bengal State University In collaboration with Indian Museum, Anthropological Survey of India, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Centre for Alternative Research in Development Venue: Indian Museum, 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata For more details kindly Log on to: www.wbsubregistration.org