We are pleased to invite interested scholars and other specialists to submit their proposed contributions to the upcoming international academic conference entitled Gaza-Palestine – Out of the Margins to be held at Birzeit University Friday and Saturday, October 1-2, 2010.

The multidisciplinary event will consist of panels dealing with various aspects of this region, composed of a majority of refugees driven out more than sixty years ago, as well as a history of uninterrupted habitation going back thousands of years; a region which has since the occupation played a key role in the successive stages of the struggle for Palestinian independence, and been subjected to the cruelest measures of reprisal by the occupying power, Israel, even after the evacuation of soldiers and settlers. There is no cultural split among Palestinians, but rather between two large parties, based on political jealousies and a long lasting external siege. And yet the complexities of the Palestinian condition, in its various chronological and spatial dimensions, demand a correspondingly careful analysis of the historical, economic, legal, environmental, social and cultural dimensions of Gaza’s marginalization, in the interests of that essential intellectual reunification which must precede or at least accompany the political one.

Panels will be organized according to chronological and topical themes stretching back to prehistory and going forward to anticipated outcomes of the present conundrum. A movie will be projected during the conference, and artistic creations originating from or concerning Gaza exhibited.

Proposals from Palestine, the Arab world and the worldwide academy are welcome. Those accepted will be presented, whether or not their authors can attend in person. This is particularly true of those coming from Gaza or the broader Arab region. It is also anticipated that a session or sessions will be held by videoconference.

We ask that abstracts not exceeding one page, in Arabic or English, be submitted by May 1st. In case of acceptance, a full, documented paper (15 – 25 pages) must be sent by July 1st for final approval. A few participants coming from abroad will have the cost of their travel and lodgings covered. Selected conference proceedings will be published by the end of 2010.

Please address all correspondence by email to giis@birzeit.edu , where you may also obtain any further information you require.