[Invitation to write articles] International Scientific Conference "Anthropology and Development in Contemporary Vietnam"

1. PURPOSE

In the context of Vietnam, the position, role and contributions of Anthropology and Anthropologists to the field of development in different regions and spaces have not been clarified from the perspective of basic research, application and development practice. On that basis, with 60 years of tradition, 10 years of building and developing the Faculty of Anthropology at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, we organize an international conference on the topic 'Anthropology and Development in Contemporary Vietnam' to (i) recognize and evaluate the achievements, limitations and propose development directions of the Faculty, and (ii) clarify the role and contributions of Anthropology to the country's development issues.

For more than half a century, development has been and continues to be the goal of action of many countries. In contemporary Vietnam, development policies have been realized into development programs and development projects in many fields and in different localities, bringing about impressive successes in terms of economic growth and poverty reduction. However, many sources of information show that the limitations and consequences of the development process also create significant impacts on the environment, society and culture at different levels, regions and ethnic groups. This reality needs to continue to be identified, analyzed and addressed with efforts from both the national and local levels, and requires the contribution and coordination of many different entities in the State and society.

Anthropology is a social science with a unique role and contribution to development. Anthropologists not only study development topics but also apply anthropological methods, provide practical knowledge to connect or shorten the gap between policy and practice, participate in the formulation and implementation of development policies, etc. In the context of contemporary Vietnam, the team of anthropologists (including ethnologists) is growing in number and expertise, making impressive contributions to the field of development from the perspectives of research, application and practice.

The University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, in collaboration with the French Institute for Development Research (IRD) organized this workshop with the aim of creating a forum for scientists and policy practitioners to analyze and discuss: (1) the achievements, limitations and development directions of the Faculty of Anthropology, the Anthropology sector, (2) the role, position and contribution of Anthropology to development issues in Vietnam from the perspectives of basic research, application and practice; (2) thereby discussing prospects, proposing solutions to promote professionalism and improve research efficiency, training quality and the ability to apply anthropology to solve practical development issues in Vietnam in the contemporary context.

2. CONTENT

The reports consider one or more of theproblemfollowing:

1. Achievements, limitations and development directions of the Faculty of Anthropology, Anthropology major
2. Anthropology's contributions to development issues in Vietnam, including political context, theoretical approaches, methodologies and achievements
3. Personal experiences and reflections on development practices, impacts of contemporary development policies/programs/projects
4. New Perspectives for Anthropology and Development in Vietnam.

From an Anthropological perspective, each report should focus on analyzing and discussing one or moretopicbelow from a theoretical and/or practical perspective or practice in different cultural spaces (ethnic groups) and geographical spaces (mountains, plains, urban areas, islands):

1. Anthropology in contemporary Vietnam: innovation and international integration
2. Ethnic issues, ethnic identity, ethnic relations
3. Environmental issues, ecology, urbanization, land, livelihoods, poverty reduction, migration, tourism
4. Health, education, participation, empowerment, decentralization, gender, marriage, family, kinship, social organization
5. Issues of beliefs, customs, languages, local knowledge, cultural identity, cultural heritage and cultural preservation

3. LANGUAGE: Vietnamese and English

4. TIME AND PLACE

4.1. Workshop Time: One day,Wednesday, November 11, 2020.In case the Covid-19 epidemic increases, the Conference Organizing Committee will consider switching to an online conference format or postponing the Conference to an appropriate time..

4.2. Conference Location: University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 336 Nguyen Trai, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi

4.3. Time of report submission:

• 8/31/2020: Abstract submission deadline
• 10/31/2020: Deadline for full paper submission
• 11/11/2020: Workshop

4.4. Reporting format:

• Summary report 200 - 350 words long
• Full text report 4,000 - 10,000 words long
• Report language: Vietnamese or English

4.5. Conference costs:The Organizing Committee will arrange travel and hotel expenses for a small number of delegates outside Hanoi invited by the Organizing Committee to present reports at the Conference.

4.6. Email address for receiving abstracts, full-text reports and conference contacts:

• Nguyen Van Suu: [email protected]
• Ngo Thi Chang: [email protected]; phone: 0941903855