International Conference
January 29-31, 2009
Social Sciences Building
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw (Atlanta suburb), Georgia, US

Overview:

Straddling Europe and Asia, Turkey occupies a unique location between East and West and its cultures represent a unique blend of Eastern and Western civilizations. Historically, the region comprising modern Turkey has overseen the birth of major civilizations such as the Hittite, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Today, Turkey is a democratic, secular, constitutional republic with a Muslim majority population. The complexity of the relationship between Islam and democracy, between East and West, in the world today, makes Turkey an especially important place.  At the same time, the opportunities for meaningful contact and cooperation among civilizations brought the Governments of Turkey and Spain to focus on “alliance” rather than “clash” of civilizations. Hence, the “Alliance of Civilizations” now under the auspices of the United Nations was established in 2005 at the initiative of the Governments of Spain and Turkey.

The overarching theme of the conference will be the “Alliance of Civilizations,” with its emphasis on peaceful coexistence and dialogue between East and West, North and South, and across religious and cultural differences. The Year of Turkey conference on the Alliance of Civilizations is scheduled on January 29-31, 2009 at Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia.  Papers, panels, plenary speakers, and poster presentations are invited from a wide range of disciplines, fields and specializations. Interdisciplinary perspectives are especially encouraged.

For more information about the Alliance of Civilizations conference at KSU, click on the appropriate links below or contact the following:

Ms. Vivian Bonilla
Alliance of Civilizations Conference Coordinator
Institute for Global Initiatives
Kennesaw State University
1000 Chastain Road, #2702
Kennesaw, GA 30144

Phone: +1 678 797 2569 E-mail: vbonill1@kennesaw.edu

CO-SPONSORS:

Kennesaw State University (http://www.kennesaw.edu/globalinstitute/annconf.htm)

Istanbul Center (http://www.istanbulcenter.org/)

United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (http://www.unaoc.org/)