Lecture by Prof. Ajit K. Pyati,

Prof. Ajit K. Pyati, of the Faculty of Information and Media Studies at the University of Western Ontario will be lecturing on Community-Based Information Centres: A New Vision for India’s Public Libraries? at the Institute for Social and Economic Change on February 6, at 3:30 p.m. This lecture follows in a series he has been giving in India on libraries and information technology . For more information on Prof. Pyati’s research and teaching, please visit his website at: http://www.ajitpyati.ca/index.php

Conference Alerts

UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

International Conference
on
Climate Change and
Environmental Sustainability in India and Canada:
Approaches and Strategies

Sponsored by
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Government of Canada
Collaborated by

Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation Research, Anna University
&
Department of Environment, Government of Tamil Nadu
16th – 18th Sept

Call for Papers

Climate change has become one of the most hazardous phenomena of our times. It represents one of the greatestenvironmental, social and economic threats facing the planet and is a key factor in determining the survival of our planet and its beings. Climate change is the result of a great many factors including the dynamic processes of theEarth itself, but the primary reason for climate change is our own unsustainable use of natural resources.

The need of the hour is to bring in Environmental Sustainability, which focuses on finding strategies to promote economic and social development in ways that avoid environmental degradation, over-exploitation and pollution. A collaborative move is needed to create awareness among the public, especially the student community regarding Environmental Sustainibility to generate various strategies for empowering Environmental Sustainability and to bring policy level changes and implementation.
The conference intends to invite papers on Environmental concerns reflected in the oral, folk and classical literatures of India and Canada.The accountability of postmodern and contemporary writers of India and Canada regarding Environmental issues. The role of mass media in bringing awareness on issues regarding the Environment. How proper Resource Management can bring effective results in Environmental Sustainability. How the government play a role in bringing in policy level changes on environmental sustainability and the implementation of those policies. How the discipline of Environmental Science helps to bring in valuable researches and findings in issues related to environment. Various Environment related problems caused by climate change in different parts of the world. Different strategies adopted by the developed countries towards Environmental Sustainability and their responses towards the developing countries Integration of World Bank’s policy of Environmental and Social Assessment Study (ESA) Effective use of Right to Information Act in ensuring Environmental Sustainability. The influence of climate changes on migration and impact of it on various geographical locations. Policies related to climate change in India and Canada.
Abstracts (strictly not exceeding 300 words) and resume (strictly not exceeding 1 page) should be sent to:

Dr. S. Armstrong,
The Conference Convener,
Department of English,
University of Madras,
Chepauk, Chennai- 600 005
or
By email to:
canadianconference09@gmail.com

on or before 7th August, 2009. Selected participants will be intimated on 19th August 2009. Participants will be given 20 minutes for presentation and 5 minutes for discussions. Last date for sending the paper is 8th Sep, 2009.

Fee Details:
Faculty – Rs.600 (Chennai), Rs.800 (Outstation)
Research Scholars – Rs. 400 (Chennai),
International Delegates- 150 Canadian Dollars
Selected participants will be given T.A up to Second or Third A.C.
About Madras University
The University of Madras, established in 1857 is the mother of almost all the Old Universities of Southern India. It is one among the five Universities in India to receive the special status of "University with potentials of Excellence" from the University Grants Commission. The University has at present 68 departments of study and research which are spread over four campuses at Chepauk, Marina, Guindy, and Taramani in Chennai. The University Library at Chepauk Campus was established in 1907. The Library holds 6.5 lakhs books and 1145 periodicals excluding online data bases. The Department of English at the University of Madras was established in 1969 since then the horizon of the department has widened to include New historicism, cultural materialism, translation, post modernism, feminism, deconstruction, Post-colonial Theories, Ethnicity, Multiculturalism and English in the Era of neo-Colonialism and Globalization. Besides offering Theatre as an Elective course, at least two major performances are staged every year. The department holds various endowment lectures, conference and workshops.
Tourist Interests
The fourth largest city in India, Chennai, and the 'Gateway to South India' is the seat of culture and learning. It is India's third largest commercial and industrial centre and the automobile capital of India. Lying on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, it is a city famous for its beaches, historical monuments, and its rich cultural heritage. It is well connected by air, train and road. It is the home to one of the world's longest beaches, the Marina which extends for 13 kilometers from St Fort George to Mahabalipuram. The Government Museum, Birla Planetorium, the Adyar Banyan tree, Fort St George, Vivekanandar Illam and Valluvar Kottam are important spots of tourist interest.

The second largest exporter of Information Technology, Chennai also caters to its religious visitors with the St Thomas Basilica, the Vailankanni church, Sri Parthasarathy temple, Kapaleeshwar temple, Ashtalakshmi temple and the St Mary’s church. The coastal line along the East coast road starting from the pleasant Elliot’s beach in Beasant Nagar is lined with a number of fun filled theme parks and beach resorts culminating in Mahabalipuram, the site of Pallava architectural excellence.

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Ethnicity, Social Justice and Human Rights: Linking Canada to the World
1 to 4 October 2009 WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Canada
Website: http://cesa.uwinnipeg.ca/
Contact name: John C. Lehr

This interdisciplinary conference welcomes paper proposals on all aspects of ethnicity in Canada. International comparisons with the Canadian experience are particularly welcomeOrganized by: Canadian Ethnic Studies Association

Deadline for abstracts/proposals: Not available.
Check the event website for latest details