CESS-ESCAS Lisbon Conference 2025

From January 8–10, 2025, Lisbon will host the Joint Meeting of the CESS (Central Eurasian Studies Society) and the ESCAS (European Society for Central Asian Studies) – an International Conference on “Geopolitics, Migrations and Identities in Central Eusasia.” We hope that this initiative will help bring Central Eurasian studies to the forefront of global academic discourse.

We invite submissions relating to all aspects of humanities and social science scholarship across Central Eurasia – a diverse region that encompasses Central Asia, the Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan, Xinjiang, Tibet, Mongolia, Siberia, the Black Sea region, and the Volga region.

Draft Program
On Tuesday afternoon (January 7, Day 0), the Joint Meeting will be preceded by a symbolic event: join us in an interconfessional and ecumenical Ceremony for Light and Peace, hosted by Lisbon Patriarchy; to participate in this propitiatory event of Forgiveness, Tolerance and Good Will have been invited representatives of all major religious communities of Eurasia – Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews…

After this spiritual moment, the Welcome Dinner (offered by the organization) will celebrate the Cuisines of Portuguese-speaking countries and territories: a buffet of food from Portugal, Angola, Brazil, Mozambique…

The first day of this Conference – Wednesday, January 8, Day 1 – will take place at the Gulbenkian Foundation; after the Opening Session, it will be entirely dedicated to discussing the EU relations with the Caucasus and Central Asia countries: Bilateral and Multilateral Partnerships, Cooperation Agreements, Geopolitical Issues…We are preparing an event bringing together scholars and academic experts from different geographies, and senior staff and politicians from the EU, the Caucasus and Central Asia countries.

The second and third days of the Conference – Thursday and Friday, Days 2/3 – will be hosted by two Institutes of the University of Lisbon (‘Cidade Universitária’) – the IGOT (Geography and Planning) and the ICS (Social Sciences). The University of Lisbon is one of the oldest European higher-learning institutions (created in the 13th century), and several Faculties and Institutes are in the World’s top-100 in their fields. On January 9, the day will end with a Wine Reception. On January 9, the day will end with a Wine Reception.

On Saturday morning – January 11, Day + – the Universidade Autónoma will host the Conference Meetings, the Closing Session – and the Farewell Party, with amphora wine and a performance by a group of cante alentejano (Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage).

Submissions

Send your submission to this email address – jointmeeting.2025@gmail.com – with the title «Submission». We will acknowledge all submissions within five days.

– Papers and panels: In addition to individual papers (max.300 words and five keywords), we strongly encourage participants to submit proposals for organised panels and roundtables (max.300 words and five keywords), comprising 3/5 participants from different universities or research institutions, one chair, and, in some instances, a discussant.

– Nesting: Are you a member of the Board of a Scientific Society, a Research Center, a Cultural Institute related to Central Eurasia? Please consider the possibility of organizing a special session only with participants from your organisation – and we can offer you a room to hold a Board Meeting or Assembly.

– Bring your book! Have you recently published/edited a book? You have two alternatives to present it: a roundtable (max. 5 participants, 90 min.) or a shorter, individual presentation and a Q&A (45 min.).

– Bring your documentary! Have you recently directed/produced a documentary film (max. 60 min. – fiction not accepted)? You can screen and discuss it during the conference.

– Bring your podcast! There will be a room specially equipped to record podcasts or similar sessions.

Important dates

Submission deadline: August 15

Notification of Acceptance: September 15

Registration: deadline”early bird” – October 1st; final deadline – October 31

Final Program: November 30

Conference: Tuesday evening, January 7 (Day 0) – to Saturday morning, January 11 (Day Plus).

Registration

Membership of ESCAS or CESS required. Please check the websites: www.escas.org and https://centraleurasia.org/

Rates

“Early bird” (before September 15):

Participants from Western and Central Europe, Japan, South Korea, and North America:

Scholars -160 euros

Students – 120 euros

Other Participants:

Scholars: 100 euros

Students: 70 euros

Regular:

Participants from Western and Central Europe, Japan, South Korea, and North America:

Scholars -190 euros

Students – 140 euros

Other Participants:

Scholars: 120 euros

Students: 90 euros

Students must provide valid identification to qualify for the student rates.

Including:

– All the conference activities and materials;

– Welcome Dinner, coffee-breaks, Wine Reception and Farewell Party;

– A rich cultural program: a concert, cinema, fado and cante alentejano performances, guided tours of Museums and Art Centers,… (except entrance tickets in some museums and Cinemateca Portuguesa).

So, we invite you to mark your calendars and prepare to join us for an enriching experience that promises to deepen our understanding of Central Eurasia’s complex social, cultural, and historical landscapes.

Please share this information with any interested students or faculty members. Inquiries about the conference: please send an email to jointmeeting.2025@gmail.com

CESS-ESCAS Lisbon Conference 2025

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