An international conference will bring researchers interested in lusophone studies to York University Oct. 26 to 28 to promote interdisciplinary dialogue on language studies, social sciences and humanities.
The conference, "Expressions of Lusofonia – International Conference (Expressões da Lusofonia – Encontro Internacional)," also marks 10 years for the Portuguese and Luso-Brazilian Studies program at York University, one of the two Canadian universities that offer this degree.
This conference aims to promote dialogue on themes such as: the revaluation of the status and role of the social sciences and humanities in university curricula; the internationalization of lusophone studies; the presence of language and lusophone cultures in various professional/disciplinary areas; the teaching of foreign languages in higher education; the relationship between universities and local communities; the interaction between businesses and universities as creators of professional opportunities within the lusophone world; and more.
There will also be discussion on experiential education and its role as promoter of synergies among surrounding communities; new methods of teaching and learning, and pedagogical projects; teaching of culture, history and lusophone literatures; and youth/student involvement and/or engagement in academic and social initiatives.
An abstract booklet and program, as well as information regarding the keynote speaker Patricia Sobral, are online at portuguese.dlll.laps.yorku.ca/conference-2018.
In addition to its Portuguese and Luso-Brazilian Studies program, York University also hosts the Canadian Centre for Azorean Research and Studies (CCARS), the Associação de Estudos Lusófonos/Lusophone Studies Association and Projeto de História Luso-canadiana/Portuguese Canadian History project.
The lusophone world has created several congregational structures at various levels (the International Institute of Portuguese Language, the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries, the Observatory of the Portuguese Language), which have produced synergies and movements between its transnational communities, thus contributing to Lusofonia's rising international visibility.
This conference will highlight York’s commitment to diversity, multiculturalism and as a leader in the research taking place on campus, as well as in the Portuguese-speaking world and its diasporas.