Caste, Culture, and the State - Dalit Cause (12/31/02; 5/2/03-5/5/03)

Culture and the State: Past, Present, and Future
http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/cms/
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
May 2-5, 2003

Caste, Culture, and the State - a Dalit Vision for the 21st Century

In May 2003, the University of Alberta will host a conference around the theme "Culture and the State: Past, Present and future." Within this broader framework, the theme "Caste, Culture, and the State -- a Dalit Vision for the 21st Century" intends to explore the origin of caste and untouchabilty; the social, religious, and economic reforms to counter castism in India; and, the role of Dalit literature in educating and developing mass movements against castism in India.

Papers are welcomed from all disciplines and could address the following or other topics:

* Social Justice and Transformation
* Educational & Economic Reforms and Advancement of Dalits
* Human Rights Violations and Atrocities on Dalits
* Dalit Literature and Other Developmental Issues

Please send an abstract of no more than 300 words for a proposed paper of 20 minutes to be given in English to the theme coordinator, Jai Birdi.

Deadline: December 31, 2002.

Theme Coordinator:

Jai Birdi
Chetna Society of BC
14315 Gladstone Drive
Surrey, BC
Canada, V3R 5R8
jpbirdi@hotmail.com