This week, anthropologists in AV俱乐部鈥檚 Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology are hosting the , a joint meeting between the Canadian Anthropology Society and the Society for the Anthropology of North America.
This conference, which takes place May 11-15, will welcome about 350 registered participants, many from across Canada plus a number from the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, Argentina, France and more.
The theme of the bilingual conference is 鈥�厂辞濒补诲补谤颈迟(颈)茅蝉,鈥� an idea that has long preoccupied anthropology. The conference鈥檚 events and meetings will center around how anthropological engagements with solidarity 鈥� the principle of shared responsibilities, identities, and interests 鈥� have shaped anthropologists鈥� thinking about the social worlds in which they do their work. The theme is timely given national and global affairs, because solidarities are a response to situations that place human lives and dignity in peril.
鈥淗osting an international conference here at Dal raises the profile of anthropology -- and what we do -- in Halifax and the region,鈥� says Lindsay DuBois, associate professor of social anthropology at Dal and one of the conference coordinators.
鈥淭he theme of solidarities has generated a lot of enthusiasm and exciting contributions from our participants.聽It is also a great fit for our department because of the strong social commitments both within the university and beyond.聽In this way, the theme helps our colleagues across the country, as well as further afield, understand our particular strengths.鈥�
Understanding problems in cultural contexts
The conference will celebrate diversity in our societies, including events focusing on gender, health, Acadian communities and Indigenous-Settler relations, to name a few. The conference kicks of Wednesday evening with an opening reception featuring a performance by the All Nations Drum group.
Also Wednesday evening is a free public talk by Annette Leibing (University of Montreal, left) titled "Aging in times of Alzheimer鈥檚: Tales of change, culture, and solidarities." All are welcome to attend the lecture, which will be held in Paul O鈥橰egan Hall at the Halifax Central Library at 6:30 p.m.
鈥淥ne of the great things about anthropology is that it helps us see how the problems we face are handled in different cultural contexts,鈥� says Dr. DuBois.聽 鈥淔or example,聽Dr. Leibing studies how Brazilians think about and treat people living with Alzheimer鈥檚.聽Her work offers us a fresh perspective on what it means to care for an aging population.聽 It helps us understand what we Canadians do well, and where we can improve.鈥澛�
Additionally, Janice Graham, cross-appointed professor in Dal鈥檚 Departments of Pediatrics and Sociology and Social Anthropology and winner of the Weaver-Tremblay Canadian Award for anthropology, will deliver a lecture this Friday at 5 p.m. in the Scotiabank Auditorium of the Marion McCain Arts and Social Sciences Building.
website for the full details and program.