SVU Congress: Call for Papers
Washington, DC, August 9-13, 2000
The Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences (SVU) will hold its
anniversary, 20th in number, World Congress on August 9-13, 2000 in
Washington, DC where the Society got its start in 1958 and where its first
SVU World Congress was held in 1962.. This will be an extraordinary event
which will feature prominent speakers and visitors from both sides of the
Atlantic. It will be co-sponsored by the American University where the
meetings and other activities will take place in cooperation with the
Embassies of both the Czech and Slovak Republics.
The central theme of the Congress will be "Civil Society and
Democracy into
the New Millennium." The aim of the proceedings will be to look at our
society, with all its pluses and minuses, from various angles, with the
perspective of the future in the new Millennium. There will be a
complementary plenary session which will address the topic "Czechs and
Slovaks Who Made the Difference in the Last Millennium," with participation
of major scholars.
Apart from the major themes, the program will include numerous
discussion
panels and symposia covering practically every aspect of human endeavor, from
various disciplines in humanities, social sciences, fine and performing arts,
and science and technology, including environemntal sciences and ecology, to
business, law, journalism, library science, education medicine, agriculture
and so forth. Of particular interest should be a discussion panel on "Civil
and Human Rights in Czech and Slovak Republics," featuring Czech and Slovak
Ambassadors in the US and the American Ambassador in Prague, and several
other distinguished speakers from government and academia. Special attention
will also be paid to
the question of the vitality of Czech and Slovak communities abroad and
preservation of Czech and Slovak cultural identity and heritage, as well as
the mutual relations of Czech and Slovak Americans with the Czech Republic
and Slovakia.
.
We call on all scholars, scientists, artists, educators, students, ethnic
community leaders, businessmen, lawyers, clergy, social and cultural workers,
journalists, computer experts and anybody else who is interested in these
matters to send us suggestions for specific topics and possible speakers.
Young people are particularly welcome.
Apart from numerous discussion panels and symposia, including two
plenary
sessions with public figures and distinguished personalities, there will be
an exciting and entertaining social and cultural program. The highlight of
the social events will be a banquet-cruise down the Potomac, past the
illuminated Washington monuments on the beautiful 3-deck air-conditioned
cruise ship, The Spirit of Washington, with a sumptuous buffet, a festive
show, and dancing to an excellent live jazz band. The next day there will be
an exciting bus excursion to Monticello, the famed residence of President
Thomas Jefferson and a visit to the University of Virginia.
To defray costs of housing, accommodations have been reserved in the
newly
renovated American University dormitories. These are available on a first
come basis. Because of the relative shortage and expense of Washington hotels
you should reserve your dormitory room promptly. We welcome any suggestions
or offers to help, either with the logistics or the program. We are
interested in additional speakers and organizers of subject panels and
topical symposia..
Point of Contact:
SVU President - Mila Rechcigl, 1703 Mark Lane, Rockville, MD 20852;
tel.: (301) 881-7222; FAX: (301) 881-9667; e-mail: rechcigl@aol.com
