3-7 July, 2006,
Yerevan, Armenia

YERITAC Armenian Youth NGO is organizing a scientific youth conference entitled
“National Democracies or Nations against Democracies?” which will take place in
Yerevan, Armenia, on July 3-7, 2006.

Abstract: The contradiction between democracy and national culture is an
important issue faced by transformational societies worldwide. Post-soviet
Armenia is one of the countries especially sharply fronting this contradiction.
The scientific approach and conceptualization of the ongoing processes and their
comparison to other societies’ experience seem to be important to overcome the
difficulties of the process of democratization in the country.

Purpose: The purpose of 1st International Youth Conference on National
Democracies is to bring together young scholars, students, activists, etc. both
from advanced democracies and transitional countries, who are enrolled in
democracy studies and national studies to make an opportunity to discuss the
possible issues of transitional democracies as to argue on the sharper aspects
and find possible solutions.

Eligibility: Participants with following criteria are acceptable:

• undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students of social sciences and
  humanities,
• involvement in youth organizations, movements dealing with the issues of
  democracy is a plus
• participants from all over the world are welcome to the event
• good communication and writing skills in English.

Selection will be done based on gender and geographical proportional
distribution.

Conference fee: $350 for foreign participants (includes hotel accommodation in
double and triple rooms, nutrition, cultural trips, and participation fee).
Travel, visa and insurance costs are not covered. 50% discounts are available
for participants from Yerevan.

Scholarships: Limited number of scholarships is available for representatives
from developing countries. Depending on country and on motivation participants
can receive up to 40% discounts.

For those participants, who will use the services of the Official Carrier of the
Conference - Austrian Airlines to travel to Armenia, there is a tariff-reduction
possible between 10 % and 20 % depending on the class of booking, etc. This
reduction is only applicable for Conference participants with confirmed
registration.

Conference Details: The Conference will consist of scientific, cultural and
entertainment parts. Scientific part includes paper presentations, meetings with
speakers and workshop discussions. Cultural part includes cultural trips and
discussions on National culture. Entertainment will be organized on each evening
of the conference.

Application procedure:

1.Fill in the attached Application form and send it to
conference@yeritac-am.org 

2.
Write 1-page long abstract on one of the following titles:

    a.National Culture and Democracy, describing your vision of the possible conflict
between democratic and local culture.

    b.Youth and Democracy, describing your vision of youth participation in the
processes of democratization and adaptation of local cultures.

    c. Education and Democracy, describing your vision of democratic education and
education leading to democracy.

    d. Nationalism, Cosmopolitism and Democracy describing of how you understand these
three ideologies in the framework of contemporary societies.

Participants’ personal approach to the specified issues is highly acceptable,
however the abstract should be based on existing theoretical framework of the
abovementioned issues (like revision of literature)..

Deadlines:

Deadline for applications is May 20, 2006. Successful applicants will be
informed by May 27, 2006.

Outcome: Participants will have the following benefits from the Conference:

1. Opportunity to express their ideas, discuss with others and learn more about
   democracies and national cultures
2. Prepare and make a public presentation
3. Best papers will be published in a special publication of selected works, which
   will be distributed throughout of universities and scientific organizations.
4. Opportunity to discover Armenia – a country on the crossroads of Europe and Asia
   (where silky road once passed), with interesting culture and new democracy.
5. Make contacts with persons with same interests from throughout the world
6. Organize interesting and productive summer rest.

For details - please visit www.yeritac-am.org  or
contact YERITAC YNGO-info@yeritac-am.org