19th ANNUAL CONFERENCE!
Economics of Gender:
Belonging to and Seeking Understanding(s) of Gender
27th November to 4th December 2005
Krakow, Poland
in cooperation with:
Campaign against Homophobia (KPH) Krakow.
| Presentation | Application Form |
| Programme | Report |
| Practical and Financial Conditions | Photo-Gallery |
with support of:
 Directorate of Youth and Sport Council of Europe |
mama cash |
 HIVOS |
Candidates must fill in and send the application form by 14th October 2005.
Prep team: Darren Vella, Jasna Magic, Ruth Baldacchino, Andreas Nillsson, Ursula Knoll.
PRESENTATION
IGLYO's 19 th international conference Economics of Gender will focus on gender-related aspects within the lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender ( hereinafter referred to as LGBT) communities and the implications they have on the overall work and human rights developments within LGBT youth activism.
This conference will focus on bringing some light on issues related to gender identity and self- l abelling , as well as the assimilation of such identities and labels in the LGBT communities . Moreover, we will discuss the consequences of such on the further development of LGBT communities in particular and LGBT rights in general. The conference's main goal will to be to discuss and tackle gender as an identity construction and the way it is constr u ed within the community. This event will provide participants with the opportunity to proceed to an overall, but also detailed, analysis of the concept of gender and its functions within a complex youth community in general. It will enable those present to to approach these concepts/phenomena both diachronically (how they change through time) and synchronically (in reference to their historical context).
Gender and sexuality are socially constructed and normative concepts. These concepts and their implications are done without us being concscious about them. Since they are socially constructed then, we take on those meanings together with others. In other words, I don't "do" my gender alone, instead I'm always "doing" it with or for another.
Moreover gender is linked with desire and during this conference we aim to bring up the discussion that being a certain gender does not mean that one will desire in a specific and certain way. Social norms that make up our lives carry desires that do not originate with our individual self and the feasibility of our individual self is fundamentally dependent on these social norms. Desire has been also linked to recognition. Therefore one can argue that desire is always so for recognition. We live in societies whereby terms and concepts used enable us to be recognised as human (or less human or no human at all). These terms are socially expressed and changeable. We will tackle issues of social norms across different countries/regions/communities since through past conferences IGLYO has learnt that such norms have far-reaching consequences on the ways we understand the "human model" which is entitled to rights or included in the participatory sphere of political debates.
If I am a certain gender, will I still be regarded as part of the human/community/society I belong to? Will the "human definition" expand to include me in its reach? If I desire in certain ways, will I be able to live? Will there be a place for my life, and will it be recognised by others upon whom I depend for social existence?
Objectives
- To define and adopt different terminologies relating to the concept of 'gender'.
- To start from a personal understanding of one's 'gender' and how we express 'it' [self-perception].
- To understand the concepts of labelling ('Gender') within mainstream communities and LGBT communities in comparison to the ways these concept influence lives and social roles.
- To look at the ways labels (Gender) and identities are constructed, maintained and/or changed.
- To discuss how these dynamics are affected by race, ethnicity, class, religion and (dis)ability.
- To increase sensitivity to the power dynamics which are affected by 'Gender' and to also empower LGBT activists to be inclusive of both terms related to sexuality/sexual orientation as well as those related to 'Gender'.
- To increase intercultural awareness in terms through the discussed topics
Programme
The seven-day programme will include:
- A theoretical and practical exploration of the concept of gender from a personal, political and social human-rights perspective;
- Workshops: to fully explore the political implications of Gender and how it affects LGBT movements in their surge for equality.
- A safe environment for all participants to learn more about Gender and how it continually affects our lived experience not only as being LGBT but also in being part of a broader picture.
- "She Space He Space Ze Space"
- A development in understanding how to include Gender within our continuous work in activism as well as contributing and learning to creating distinguishing grounds to work upon.
- An Opportunity to meet leading activists from the LGBT youth movement.
- A chance to explore more clearly the area of Transgender Issues and to see how movements are not only growing but also in need of clearer understanding.
- A social programme which will include an intercultural evening, "Poland Day", a welcome and closing (celebration) party.
Working methods
Over the years IGLYO has adopted the idea of non-formal education onto its work. This means that through an informal atmosphere the preparatory team together with the participants mould the event on their lived experiences. Thus the conference comes equipped with a basic structure, helped and sustained by guest speakers but finally shaped by the participants' contribution and expertise. Through plenary sessions, small working groups and other modes of work, participants reach the conference's objectives.
Participants' profile
The course is intended for IGLYO members, young LGBT activists, and representatives of LGBT (youth) organisations who:
- Are between 18 and 27 years of age;
- Are interested in sharing experiences and want to further explore the topic of the conference;
- Are able to work in English;
- Have some experience (even if little) related to the topic of the conference (we are looking for beginners as well as experts);
- Can act as multipliers within their own organisations and/or communities;
- Are committed to setting up follow-up activities after the conference;
- Are able to attend for the full duration of the activity.
Practical and Financial Conditions
Working languages
The conference will be held in English. There will be no simultaneous translations provided.
Venue and dates
The conference will be held in Krakow, Poland between Sunday 27 th November (arrival, welcome party in the evening) and Sunday 4 th December (departure).
Participation Fee
Participation fee for the conference is
- 80 Euro for individuals coming from EU and EEA countries.
- 50 Euro for those from non-EU countries and EU accession countries.
- 30 Euro for Polish participants.
No exceptions will be made. This fee includes participation in the programme, accommodation as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Travel reimbursement
Due to limited finances to hold this conference IGLYO has limited options for reimbursing all your travel costs. IGLYO encourages every participant to look into local funding and scholarship possibilities (such as Open Society Institute).
Please fill in the application for travel reimbursement if you want to be eligible for reimbursement. Participants are required to arrange their journeys in the most economical way (APEX tickets, student fares, economy class, etc.)
Successful participants will be reimbursed on the basis of the shortest and least expensive route between their place of residence and Krakow, Poland. Applications, which do not indicate the approximate price of the ticket, will not be taken into account. Visa costs will also be reimbursed. Payment will be made either by bank transfer (preferred) or in cash at the end of the conference.
IMPORTANT
IGLYO highly recommends all participants to look for funding for their travel from external sources. Currently we are able to cover the maximum amount of approximately 250 Euro. It is important to stress that we are still working on additional fundraising and urge everyone to apply regardless, as we are exploring quite a few options that will hopefully enable us to increase the current maximum amount. IGLYO can and will assist you in getting the needed financial support with a support letter to possible funders.
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