The Third International Conference on Lao Studies
July 14-16, 2010
Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, THAILAND

http://www.laostudies.org/conferences

The Center for Research on Plurality in the Mekong Region, http://www.plurality.net
Khon Kaen University http://www.kku.ac.th and the Center for Lao
Studies in San Francisco http://www.laostudies.org are pleased to
announce the Third International Conference on Lao Studies (ICLS) to
be held on July 14-16, 2010 in Khon Kaen, Thailand. The main objective
of this conference is to promote Lao studies by providing an
international forum for scholars to present and discuss various
aspects of Lao studies.

RATIONALE
The Lao PDR and areas of neighboring countries where the Lao people
reside are situated in the center of the Greater Mekong Sub-region
(GMS), encompassing parts of Cambodia, the People's Republic of China,
Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Lao people play a pivotal role in
regional cooperation among the GMS nations. With the rapid changes due
to the regional economic cooperation of the GMS and emerging
globalization, the Lao people face diverse challenges in social,
cultural, economic, and environmental aspects. This conference will
provide a forum for scholars who are interested in Lao studies to
explore, share, and synthesize experiences and knowledge on Lao
culture and society.

THEMES
In the age of globalization and GMS regional cooperation, the Lao
people are in transition to a new phase of modernity and are facing an
array of new economic possibilities, cultures, and ways of life. These
changes can be opportunities as well as challenges for the country.

The Third International Conference on Lao Studies intends to explore
diverse impacts of regionalism and globalization on Lao society: how
they affect identities, cultures, and social patterns; how the society
and people cope with current and emerging challenges; and how the Lao
people living in the Lao PDR and other GSM countries contribute to the
global and GMS development.

The conference will include invited Lao Studies scholars and
researchers from all disciplines and intellectual perspectives to
share paper presentations, panel presentations, exhibits,
performances, and cultural activities. The following groups are
classified as a part of the Third International Conference on Lao
Studies:
All ethnolinguistic groups of Laos (e.g. Mon-Khmer groups, Hmong-Mien
groups, Lao-Tai groups);
Lao Isan and other ethnic Lao groups in Thailand (e.g. Lao Song,
Phuan, Phu Tai);
Ethnic Lao living in Cambodia;
Cross-border ethnic groups in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Burma, and
Cambodia (e.g. Akha, Hmong/Miao, Khmu, Iu Mien, Lao Phuan, Tai Lue,
Tai Dam, Tai Daeng, Shan); and
Overseas Lao (e.g. Lao American, Lao French).
The following topics related to the aforementioned groups will be
included:
Art, Literature and Music
Buddhism
Lao Legacy and heritage
Ethnic Groups in Modern Economy
Gender and family Transformation
Lao people in the GMS regional cooperation
Lao people in the Regional/Global Economy
Sustainability and Quality of Life
Border Trade and culture
Isan Regionalism
Modernity and Traditional architecture
Modern Education
Changing Livelihood
Environment and Health
Research Methodology for Lao Studies
Language and Linguistics
Rural Development
Other topics

The Third International Conference on Lao Studies
Center for Research on Plurality in the Mekong Region
Building HS 03, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Khon Kaen University
Khon Kaen 40002  THAILAND

http://www.laostudies.org/conferences

4.    The program committee will review abstracts and send an
acceptance letter with scheduling information and other instructions
for submitting final abstract statements and full versions of papers
5.    Abstracts of panels, and individual papers and full versions of
conference papers will be collected for distribution at the
conference. The final versions of abstracts should be submitted not
later than March 31, 2010. Full papers are requested by April 30,
2010.

ORGANIZED PANELS
Organized panels, composed of 3-4 scholars presenting formal papers
and 1 or 2 discussants that can be scheduled into one-and-a-half-hour
time slots are also invited. Panel organizers are requested to supply
the following information:
Title of the panel
Conference theme(s) related to the panel
Name, institution, address and email of the panel organizer
Name, institution, address and email of each paper presenter
Names, institutions, addresses and email of the panel discussants
Abstract (250 words or less) describing the panel as a whole
Title of each paper and abstract (250 words or less) for each paper

INDIVIDUAL PAPERS
Individual papers will be grouped into coherent panels. The papers
must include the following:
Title of the paper
Name, institution, address and email of paper presenter
Abstracts (250 words or less) with identified keywords.
Related conference theme(s)
REGISTRATION
All participants are requested to register online before June 15,
2010. Registration after this date must be made on-site. The
registration fee includes the conference program, an abstract
publication, a CD of the conference proceedings, daily lunches and
breaks, and one reception dinner. Early registration deadline is April
30, 2010. Please note that there will be no refund for cancellation or
absence.

Registration Fees
Early registration fee
(on or before April 30, 2010)
15% discount applies to CLS members. Membership information available
at: http://laostudies.org/content/view/30/46/

Lao, Thai Nationals    2,400 Baht /US$70
Foreign Participants    US$100
Students* (Lao, Thai)    1,200 Baht/US$35
Foreign Students    US$70

Late/on-site registration fee
(after April 30, 2010)
Lao, Thai Nationals    3,400 Baht/US$100
Foreign Participants    US$150
Lao, Thai Students    2,400 Baht/US$70
Foreign Students*    US$100

* Students must present valid student identification at the time of
registration

Payment can be done online by credit card, international bank
transfer, or domestic payment. For on-line credit card payment, please
visit:https://co.clickandpledge.com/advanced/default.aspx?wid=29989