Object: International colloquium, Cambodia, from then to now: Memory and plural

identities in the aftermath of genocide

Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
5
th
, 6
th
and 7
th
of May, 2011
Few topics stake a more compelling claim on humanities and social science research or
artistic interpretation than the history of war, genocide, and other human rights abuses.
Perversely, revelations about the historic effects and patterns of major human rights abuses
have become a normal feature of contemporary society. This is reflected, for example, in
the evidence emanating from Truth and Reconciliation Commissions and war crimes
tribunals in a growing number of countries including Canada. The profoundly disturbing
historical reality is that, throughout the 20
th
century, episodes of genocide and other crimes
against humanity have wreaked havoc on peoples and cultures in virtually every region of
the world.
The bilingual (French/English) three day conference, which will have the Franco-Cambodian
cineast Rithy Panh and the historian David P. Chandler as keynotes, will explore how the
genocide perpetrated by the Khmers rouges on the Cambodian population from April 1975
to January 1979, has been remembered and why. How have these horrific events shaped
current Khmer identity? What lessons can be drawn from the Cambodian experience, both
in Cambodia and in the Diaspora? What has been the legacy of the genocide? What stories
are being transmitted to the next generation? Should the entire story of a painful past should
be transmitted and how? How have artists and filmmakers engaged with the Cambodian
genocide? What has been the effect of recent trials on public and private remembering?
Thirty years later, is justice and reconciliation being achieved?
In responding to these and other questions, participants in the colloquium are invited to
reflect on the meaning of mass violence in the context of the before, during and the
after - both in terms of the life stories of survivors as well as Khmer identity and
Cambodian history more generally.
Scholars of Cambodia as well as artists and new media projects are invited to submit a
proposal for a presentation, performance, exhibition or screening. We are aiming for a
diversity of participants with a shared interest in the Cambodian genocide and its aftermath.
Only a limited number of proposals will be accepted. There will be two concurrent sessions
running throughout the colloquium, and the format of the presentation will enable
participants to engage with one anothers ideas over the course of the three days.
This international colloquium is being organized by the Cambodian Working Group of the
Montreal Life Stories Project (www.lifestoriesmontreal.ca), a major collaborative research
project involving Montreals Cambodian, Rwandan, Haitian and Jewish communities as well
as various educational, artistic and human rights organizations. The main objective of the
project is to collect, interpret and transmit testimonies of Montrealers displaced by war,
genocide and other human rights violations. Cambodia, from then to now is the third
international conference organized by the Life Stories project and, like our previous
conferences, will result in a publication. We look forward to meeting you and welcome you in
Montreal as one of our guests in May 2011.
Paper proposals of about 250 words should be submitted with a short curriculum
vitae, both of which must be forwarded to us by October 1st of 2010 to the following
individuals of the organizing committee:
Vanaka Chhem-Kieth, Student (MSc Human Rights, London School of Economics)
vanakack@hotmail.com
Nolsina Yim, Journalist and documentary writer
yim@nolsina.com
Steven High, Canada Research Chair in Oral History
shigh@alcor.concordia.ca
Please note that the conference will be bilingual (French/English). We will provide
simultaneous translation to insure that a wide circle will be able to participate in the
proceedings.
Please note that all expenses associated with travel and journey arrangements must be
taken in charge by the participants. Do not hesitate to contact us for further information.