In commemoration of the 1200th anniversary of the founding of the city of Fez (www.maroc1200.org), the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at al Akhawayn University in Ifrane and La Fondation Esprit de Fès (www.espritdefes.com) are organizing an interdisciplinary conference on Fez in World History. The central theme of the conference is to explore the universal and global dimension of the city through a multidisciplinary lens (e.g., history, anthropology, urban geography, archaeology, comparative literature, etc.). Participants to the conference will debate the following three main topics: TOPIC I: Fez in World History Using data drawn from historiography, historical geography, hagiographies, archaeology, numismatics, and other related fields, this theme aims to use the perspective of world history as a way of exploring how different historical forces have contributed to making Fez part of an interconnected network both at the regional and global levels. This may include diplomacy and trade agreements, long-distance trade, Sufi brotherhoods, scientific and technological advances, contributions to the religious sciences, major historical figures who lived in or visited the city (e.g., Ibn Khaldun, Leo Africanus, Maimonides, to mention a few). TOPIC II: Fez in World Literature In this topic, participants will explore the place of Fez in world literary and artistic production. This includes travel narratives, fiction, autobiographies, popular culture (songs, lyrics, music), poetry, paintings, etc. TOPIC III: Fez in Today’s Global World Low cost airline travel has made Fez a prized destination for a class of cosmopolitan consumers, especially from Western Europe (mostly France and the UK.). In this topic, participants will tackle current issues such as how global inequalities are reflected in contemporary urban life, the impact of tourism on the city, gentrification issues (e.g., the riad phenomenon), the “dédensification” and rehabilitation of the medina, Fez as a pilgrimage site (ziyyârah), and the use of information and communication technologies for economic and human development (e.g., e-gov.). TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CONFERENCE, please send an abstract in Arabic, English, or French (150-300 words). Please indicate the title and the topic of your interest. DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF ABSTRACTS: May 30th, 2008. PUBLICATION: A selected number of high quality papers will be peer-reviewed and subsequently published in an edited book. OTHER EVENTS: In parallel with the conference, al-Akhawayn University will host a number of special events and activities related to the city of Fez in World History which will include 1) exhibits of rare books, ancient manuscripts, and old photographs, 2) projections of films and rare footage, and 3) a guided tour of the medina of Fez and the Qarawiyyin Library. SEND CONFERENCE PROPSALS TO: Dr. Mohamed Dahbi, Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Al Akhawayn University, P.O.Box. 104, Avenue Hassan II, Ifrane -Morocco. Telephone : (212) 35 86 24 27. Fax : (212) 35 86 29 77. EMAIL: shss@aui.ma, S.Ennahid@aui.ma. SEND ALL OTHER INQUIRIES TO: Dr. Said Ennahid, Organizing Committee Chair, S.Ennahid@aui.ma

E-Mail: S.Ennahid@aui.ma

The Center for History and New Media (http://chnm.gmu.edu) and the Department of History and Art History at George Mason University are pleased to announce an NEH Summer Seminar for high school teachers: Making Sense of 1989. This seminar is designed for high school teachers who want to deepen their understanding of the momentous events of 1989 in Eastern Europe and China, including the collapse of the communist regimes in Europe, the failure of the democracy movement on Tiananmen Square, and the subsequent end of the Cold War. The seminar itself will blend sessions on the historical content conducted by leading experts in the field with a focus on historical thinking and how it does and does not happen in our classrooms (and why). In addition to learning a great deal about 1989 and its aftermath, participants in the seminar will also have the opportunity to create Primary Source Activities that they can take home and use in their classrooms and share with colleagues. The deadline for applications is March 3, 2008.

For more information, please go to: http://chnm.gmu.edu/1989/seminar/

E-Mail: tkelly7@gmu.edu.

The Executive Council of the World History Association unanimously approved the following statement during its January 3, 2008 meeting: On behalf of the World History Association, the Executive Council of the WHA condemns and deplores Holocaust denial, trivialization of genocide, racism, xenophobia, and all forms of hate speech. Nevertheless, the Executive Council expresses deep concern over efforts by any state or government agency to legislate historical truth, to forbid the publication of historical arguments, to criminalize the communication of particular historical views, to define certain historical views as officially acceptable or unacceptable, to bestow official approval or disapproval on specific historical positions, or otherwise to hinder the free discussion of historical issues. The Executive Council endorses the statement of the American Historical Association entitled “AHA Statement on the Framework Decision of the Council of the European Union on the Fight against Racism and Xenophobia.” (See link below for more on the AHA statement.) The WHA Executive Council views efforts by state or government agencies to define historical truth both as unwarranted infringements upon freedom of speech and as dangerous exercises that encourage the politicization of history education and historical scholarship. The Executive Council holds that the best way to promote responsible historical scholarship is not to have state and government agencies to monitor and police the expression of historical views but rather to encourage vigorous, free, and unfettered discussion of historical issues. The Executive Council further charges the President, Secretary, and Executive Director of the World History Association with responsibility for making this Statement known to any and all appropriate individuals, agencies, and parties. Approved unanimously by the Executive Council of the World History Association, 3 January 2008.

For more information, please go to: http://www.historians.org/perspectives/issues/2007/0711/0711int3.cfm