Happy Holidays and news about Newsletter volume 1

Dear Colleagues:
Happy holidays whatever you celebrate. Good news! The first volume and edition of the GSCIS newsletter is now out (well, as soon as ISA puts it up). I'd like to draw your attention to a special featured article, a thoughtful commentary, entitled "Seasonal Effects of the Arab Spring" by Imad Mansour of McGill University. From time to time we will feature such pertinent articles. Please feel free to send in your comments.
The very best,
JBW

Qaddafi's Demise

Posts on Qaddafi from some known academics/policy people (if links still work):

An African view:
http://www.theroot.com/buzz/why-africa-uneasy-about-qaddafis-death

Stephen Walt:
http://walt.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/10/20/on_ghaddafi?wpisrc=obnetwork

Michael Ignatieff
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-mideast/gadhafis-bloody-demise-a-warning-shot-for-arab-dictators/article2208863/

GSCIS EURASIA SUBSECTION PROPOSAL

The GSCIS Developing Eurasia subsection proposal

Jason E. Strakes

International School for Caucasus Studies

Ilia State University

Tbilisi, Georgia

PLEASE REVIEW

While the recently independent states of former Soviet Eurasia exhibit many of the conditions and characteristics of post-colonial and developing nations, the study of these countries in the U.S. and Western European academy has traditionally been either relegated to a generic "post-communist" subfield, or framed according to narratives of an enduring geopolitical dichotomy between power centers representing a reified "East" and "West". It is thus arguable that these disciplinary conventions have possibly imposed unnecessary limitations on the ability of regional scholars to introduce new approaches and, more importantly, to generate novel findings regarding the foreign policies and international relations of these states. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to extend a proposal for establishing a research agenda within GSCIS directed at developing a conceptual framework for integrating "Eurasian" and "developing"/Global South perspectives in IR.

One recent empirical example which underscores the relevance of this endeavor is provided by the case of Azerbaijan, which in spring 2011 became the third former Soviet republic (following Belarus and Turkmenistan) to join the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), defying the expectations of observers who have sought to characterize it as an inherently "pro-Western" or "European-oriented" state. The creation of a Eurasian/developing north facility within GSCIS would serve to attract participation by regional scholars who question prevailing standards of categorization, as well as to address current trends and expand the scope of regional studies within the discipline. Interested parties may direct correspondence to: jason.strakes@iliauni.edu.ge.:

IMPORTANT: Incorporating Eurasia into GSCIS

The GSCIS wishes to initiate a Developing Eurasia subsection. Here is a proposal from
Jason E. Strakes
International School for Caucasus Studies
Ilia State University
Tbilisi, Georgia
Please take a moment to review.

While the recently independent states of former Soviet Eurasia exhibit
many of the conditions and characteristics of post-colonial and
developing nations, the study of these countries in the U.S. and
Western European academy has traditionally been either relegated to a
generic "post-communist" subfield,
or framed according to narratives of an enduring geopolitical dichotomy
between power centers representing a reified "East" and "West". It is
thus arguable that these disciplinary conventions have possibly imposed
unecessary limitations on the ability of regional scholars to introduce
new approaches and, more importantly, to generate novel findings
regarding the foreign policies and international relations of these
states. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to extend a
proposal for establishing a research agenda within GSCIS directed at developing a conceptual framework for integrating
"Eurasian" and "developing"/Global South perspectives in IR. One recent
empirical example which underscores the relevance of this endeavor is
provided by the case of Azerbaijan, which in spring 2011 became the
third former Soviet republic (following Belarus and Turkmenistan) to
join the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), defying the expectations of
observers who have sought to characterize it as an inherently
"pro-Western" or "European-oriented" state. The creation of a
Eurasian/developing north facility within GSCIS would serve to attract
participation by regional scholars who question prevailing standards of
categorization, as well as to address current trends and expand the
scope of regional studies within the discipline. Interested parties may
direct correspondence to: jason.strakes@iliauni.edu.ge.

Update on Our Activities

Dear Members and Friends:

Since I last posted, Program Chair Lisa Richey and I have been very busy trying to maximize the GSCIS’s presence at the next ISA, despite the fact that caucuses are allotted so few slots in the program. We know that if we prove ourselves capable this time around (as we will), we will be able to secure more slots in the future. We are sponsoring/co-sponsoring panels on inter-sectional approaches to the GS, teaching and research about the GS, emerging powers, and gender/race perspectives. In addition, we have finalized an innovative panel which was supported by ISA’s president, within the theme of civil society and the information era. Various regional scholars will participate virtually with discussants located on the spot in San Diego. I am certainly preparing to push forward various publications from the presentations in San Diego.

I should add that we are pleased that other sections have been so supportive of us. Special kudos to Aseem Prakash who heads IPE. We will be inviting other sections to participate in the luncheon for Ali Mazrui.

Our website is also up, our constitution drawn up (still subject to member approval in S.D.), and we have initiated these two blogs – one by me, primarily used to post messages which would take too long to be routed via ISA, and the second by Secretary-Treasurer Griffin, intended to be a more legitimate blog. A short newsletter should be coming out soon. if you wish to publicize anything you’ve done or provide conference information etc, please do so soon. Photos, podcasts etc. are particularly welcome so that we can liven things up a bit. Just send to me or to Clifford Griffin.

Clifford has opened up a blog on Prof. Ali Mazrui who will be our first distinguished scholar honoree. Please write anything complimentary about him on the blog. We will collect these comments up until the convention for forwarding to him as a package. Prof. Mazrui will receive a certificate in San Diego at a (for now, “box”) luncheon which we are trying to arrange in as classy a manner as possible given ISA’s time and style restrictions. More information will be available soon.

Participants need to register for the ISA Convention by October 17th. Other convention information is available on the ISA website so there is no need to repeat it here.

Fiinally, we have offered to sponsor a panel on "Exploring 'Difference' in International relations: Theory and Practice in the Global South" for the BISA/ISA Joint Convention next June in Edinburgh. We await word on whether our panel has been accepted.

jbw

On Ali Mazrui

Professor Ali Mazrui will be the recipient of the Global South Caucus' inaugural Distinguished Scholar award, which will be presented at ISA's 2012 Convention in San Diego, CA. Prof. Mazrui has had a distinguished record of scholarship and community service. I imagine that there are many, who like me, first encountered Dr. Mazrui's work through this groundbreaking PBS series, The Africans. I watched each weekly episode on PBS and happily put my (then leading digital medium) VCR to work and recorded them all. Well, they are in a box in my garage but...

Climate Change Conference

Dear Colleagues,

This is to announce the call for papers for the Climate Change Network Team Conference 2011(CCNT11), 9th - 13th September 2011 at London Garden Hotel, 20 Brook St, Westminster, London, W1K 5DE, United Kingdom.

Background

The financial, food, fuel and climate crises are individually serious issues, but in combination their impact could be catastrophic for the global economy. Perhaps we stand at a crossroads. Even as we move into a global economic downturn there are growing calls for an accelerated transformation towards low carbon and resource productive economies. To move forward will require new and more efficient solutions, technologies and products alongside behavioral change. Climate change is now universally recognized as a significant global environmental challenge and as a consequence, debate over the measures needed to tackle climate change has moved up to the top of the agenda amongst civil society, business and government. The United Nations Climate Change Conference COP16 2010 in Cancún, Mexico highlighted the major challenges and opportunities associated with climate change as we move towards post 2012 carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction targets. In January 2008, the UK raised the bar by announcing a target of cutting CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050. Innovation will be a core part of the way forward. The Stern Review underlined that increased investment in R&D and innovation could significantly reduce CO2 emissions and we have seen more than £3 billion of venture capital invested in clean tech worldwide since January 2007 (Source: Ernst & Young). However, we need to create much better international, national and regional structures and systems to adapt to climate change as well those to stimulate, nurture and progress new low carbon ideas through R&D to commercialization and the marketplace. A new system is needed that fosters sustainable, low carbon and resource productive innovation - short, medium and long-term. Designers, innovators, investors, entrepreneurs, consumers and governments all have a role to play in the change that is needed.

Concept
CCNT Conference 2011 themed “Impacts of the Global Recession on Sustainable Development", Global Warming Policy and Markets will provide a platform to discuss the future opportunities and challenges related to the design, development and commercialization of renewable energy innovation, technologies, products and services. CCNT Conference 2011 will include invited and refereed papers from academics, consultants, entrepreneurs, investors, technology providers, designers, sustainability, environment and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) managers as well as other business functions. The event will be a unique learning experience, networking space and an opportunity to think. Delegates will come globally from companies, entrepreneurs, as well as academia, government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The conference is supported by an international Advisory Board.

Conference Topics

CCNT Conference 2011 welcomes conceptual and research-based papers covering sustainable innovation, technology, product and service design and development. Papers focused on low carbon energy solutions and sustainable innovation related to the following topics are particularly welcomed:

· Global Warming and Climate Change and the Oceans
· Sustainable Environment, Health and Development
· Remote Sensing and Global Surveillance
· Water Resources Management
· Carbon & GHG Management
· Extreme Events and Impacts Assessment
· Greenhouse Gas & Ecosystems
· Human Health In a Changing Climate
· Agricultural and Forestry Resources Management
· Clean Energy Technology
· Low GHG Transportation
· Education: Global Change & Sustainable Development
· Case studies

Benefits
CCNT Conference 2011 will provide a range of benefits to speakers and delegates:

• Sponsorship: Air ticket, visa fees and per diem to be covered for all qualified delegates
• Unique: Forum for new ideas and concepts
• Leading-edge: Presentations from key international researchers, practitioners and policy- makers
• Content: New research, results and thinking
• Networking: Opportunities to meet business, government and academia
• Track-record: Over 900 delegates from over 50 countries have attended previous conferences
• Established: 4th international conference

Submission Details
Conference papers: please email to ccnt0011@london.com, fax or email up to 500 words describing your proposed paper on or before 19th August, 2011. The paper will then be sent to the Advisory Board for evaluation and authors will be given feedback before 26th August, 2011. The highest rated papers will be invited to present at the conference. Please only submit abstracts if you have registered for the conference. Registration is free of charge for participants from developing countries.

Contact
For more information on CCNT Conference 2011 please contact:

Dr. Frank Jones
Conference Chair
117 Putney High Street, SW15 1SS,
London, United Kingdom.
Tel: 070-2401-7133, 070-2401-7116
Fax: 070-240-17174
Email:ccnt0011@london.com