International Development Ethics Association 2018 Conference:
Marginalized Peoples, Human Rights, and Development Ethics


17-18 May, 2018 Chişinău, Moldova
Hosted by:
 Universitatea de Stat din Moldova (The State University of Moldova)

Conference languages:Romanian, English, Russian — simultaneous translation is anticipated

Deadline for Submission of Proposals: 1 March, 2018
https://developmentethics.org/idea-moldova-marginalized-peoples-conference/

Conference theme:
The Universitatae de Stat din Moldova and the International Development Ethics Association (IDEA) invite you to submit an abstract for a presentation at an international, interdisciplinary conference for scholars, development practitioners, government policy makers, and representatives from local and regional marginalized groups.

The conference will explore the ethical dimensions of international, national, and community development by and for marginalized populations, with an emphasis on human rights and democratic participation. The concept of marginalization recognizes the myriad ways in which individuals and groups might be economically, socially, or politically excluded, and the developmental, democratic, health, and ethical consequences of that exclusion. Presentations will address the challenges to marginalized populations and ethno-cultural minorities, as well as other economically or geographically isolated groups, in the region and in Moldova especially, but also beyond, where there are valuable insights and lessons to be learned.

Conference Format:
Plenary and concurrent sessions with arranged panels and individual presentations composed into panels. Presentations in English, Romanian, and Russian with simultaneous translation available.

Topics might include, but ARE NOT limited to, the following:

• Theorizing, Mapping, and Assessing Marginalization
• Ethics, Governments, and Marginalization
• Corruption as a driver of Marginalization
• Marginalization and the Right to Health
• Local Norms, Group Rights, and Universal 
Rights
• Marginalized Groups and Democratic 
Transitions
• Development Ethics and Autonomy 
Movements in Moldova and Eastern Europe
• Autonomy and Self-Determination as Tools 
of Cultural Freedom
• The Process Aspect of Self-Determination
• Democratic Approaches to Conflicts of 
Culture
• Minorities within Minorities
• Intersectionality and “Universal” Rights
• Language, Culture, and Identity Rights
• The Rights of Linguistic Majorities and Minorities
• Marginalization and Displacement by Development
• Human Rights and Targeting Marginalized Groups
• “Mere Words?” – Indigenous, Minority, First, and/or Marginalized Peoples?
• Social, Economic, and Cultural rights in the Republic of Moldova
• Human Trafficking as Cause and Consequence of Marginalization

In addition to papers on the conference theme, papers on all core IDEA themes are welcome:

• the nature of ethically desirable development
• ethical means for achieving development
• ethical dilemmas arising in the practice of development.

IDEA Bordeaux Fellowship: 
We anticipate that the conversation will not end in Chişinău. This conference will be held one month before the IDEA Congress in Bordeaux, France (June 25-27, 2018). In keeping with IDEA’s commitment to supporting local and marginalized scholars and practitioners, organizers hope to select two or more participants—from the State University of Moldova or other local or regional universities or groups—for a fellowship to attend the Bordeaux IDEA Congress. The fellowship will pay the conference fee, and travel and lodging expenses. If you wish to be considered for the IDEA Bordeaux Fellowship, please indicate this in your submission.

Program Committee and Conference Chairs: 
Dr. Gheorghe Ciocanu, Rector, State University of Moldova (Moldova)
Dr. Rodica Gramma, School of Public Health and Management (Moldova)
Dr. Stacy J. Kosko, University of Maryland (USA), Conference Chair
Dr. Amandine Sabourin, State University of Moldova (Moldova)
Dr. Valentina Teosa, State University of Moldova (Moldova), Conference Chair

How to Submit Your Proposal:
Submissions in English, Romanian, or Russian should include the name, email, and affiliation of the presenter(s), an abstract of no more than 300 words, and a statement of whether you wish to be considered for the IDEA Bordeaux Fellowship.
* Organizers especially encourage participation from members of marginalized groups, including but not limited to European minority and indigenous peoples and sexual and gender minorities. *

Submissions should be send to:
Prof. Stacy J. Kosko, sjkosko@umd.edu (English)
Prof. Valentina Teosa, vteosa@yahoo.com (Romanian, Russian)
By 1st March, 2018

Conference Registration Fee Schedule:

On-line conference registration will open around April 2018. Students and scholars from
low- and mid-income countries will pay a significantly reduced registration fee, to be announced.
Please note that the registration fee provides a year’s membership in IDEA, which includes a year’s subscription to the Journal of Global Ethics.

Important deadlines:

March 1, 2018 – Submission of proposals
April 1, 2018 – Announcement of acceptance/rejection
April 15, 2018 – Deadline for conference registration at early-bird rates May 1, 2018 – Submission of full papers/posters
May 1, 2018 – Final deadline for conference registration at standard rates

For more information contact:

Prof. Stacy J. Kosko, sjkosko@umd.edu (English, French)
Prof. Valentina Teosa, vteosa@yahoo.com (Romanian/Moldovan, Russian)