CFP: THINKING AND SPEAKING A BETTER WORLD
24-26 November 2006, Koper, Slovenia

The Faculty of Humanities at the University of Primorska and the
Educational Research Institute, Slovenia, the World Debate Institute at
the University of Vermont, USA, the National Education Institute of the
Republic of Slovenia and ZIP, Za in proti, zavod za kulturo dialoga/ Pro
et contra Institute for culture of dialogue Slovenia invite all scholars
of argumentation, rhetoric, debate, and educators using deliberative
education methodologies to the International Conference on
Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment THINKING
AND SPEAKING A BETTER WORLD,

24-26 November 2006, Koper, Slovenia

The conference will welcome scholars and educators from diverse fields
for vigorous dialogue and exchange. This conference will unite scholars
of argumentation and rhetoric, teachers, and organizers of local,
national and international debating networks to discuss critical
thinking and advocacy discourse through pedagogy.

This conference is extremely timely. A global information society which
seeks reasoned solutions to problems through broad citizen involvement
needs to develop and refine techniques for criticizing and validating
ideas through discourse and then impart these to new generations of
citizens if we are to create a better future and avoid looming crises.
This conference represents a unique opportunity to share ideas, network
and cross-fertilize with global critical thinkers.

The conference will generate a proceedings volume that will be provided
to all attendees within six months of the completion of the conference.

Submissions will be selected from the papers available at the date of
the conference.

The program for the conference will have three themes. Submissions are
encouraged to center their work on one of the three themes and to submit
proposals to the appropriate conference division.

Interdisciplinary work is welcome.

* Argumentation and rhetoric. The use of logic and reason to criticize
and analyze ideas through communication. Those interested in research on
argumentation theory, criticisms of communication acts and scholarship
on argumentation practice are encouraged to submit to this division.

* Debate. The use of formal argumentation forums to educate and empower
citizens. Those interested in work on the practice and theory of debate
competition, public debates, research on the impact of debate for
participants, and theorizing about debate paradigms are encouraged to
submit to this division.

* Critical thinking/pedagogy. Teaching and the methodology of teaching
in the active classrooms. Those interested in using debate and
argumentation in classrooms, discussion of experiences and teaching
lessons relating to communication and critical thinking are encouraged
to submit to this division.

If your proposal doesn't fit into these categories don't worry! Send
your idea to us and we'll figure out where it goes. If you aren't sure
which division you belong in, send your proposal to
alfred.snider@uvm.edu .

We welcome submissions in the form of:

* Panels or individual academic papers

* Discussion groups focusing on cutting edge concepts * Public debates
about important issues in these fields * Samples and presentations of
active pedagogy * Creative presentations that inspire and motivate *
Workshops that provide instruction in new techniques and programs

Submissions should be sent via email to the appropriate division. Those
interested should provide title and abstract of less than 150 words (in
English or Slovenian). Submission for proposals is open immediately and
all submissions will
be considered on a rolling basis until August 1 2006. Early submissions
will be considered and approved as quickly as possible and space is
limited, later submissions may not be accepted. The committees will
evaluate and confirm the acceptance of the proposals as quickly as
possible with the final selection being made by September 1 2006. Please
note that admission to the conference and housing must be coordinated
through Bojana Skrt bojana.skrt@siol.net . Proposals should be sent to
the following addresses: Argumentation and Rhetoric:
igor.zagar@guest.arnes.si, controv@fau.edu, f.h.vaneemeren@uva.nl
(please send to all three) Debate: alfred.snider@uvm.edu Pedagogy:
bojana.skrt@siol.net

Proposals in Slovenian are welcome, as there will be a special track for
Slovenian presentations and audiences. The conference is open to the
public and we encourage all interested to attend.

A committee of conference organizers and scholars will examine
submissions to each division. The members of the argumentation division
committee are:

* Igor Zagar, Educational Research Institute and University of
Primorska, Slovenia * Frans van Eemeren, Department of Speech
Communication, Argumentation Theory and Rhetoric, University of
Amsterdam * David Williams, Department of Communication, Florida
Atlantic University, USA.

The members of the debate division committee are:

* Alfred Snider, World Debate Institute, University of Vermont USA *
Virginija Paksiene, Informal Education Debate Center, Lithuania * Omar
Salahuddin, Multimedia University, Malaysia The members of the pedagogy
division committee are:

* Zora Rutar, National Education Institute, Slovenia * Maxwell Schnurer,
Department of Communication, Humboldt State University, USA * Bojana
Skrt, ZIP, Slovenia.

The Conference will be held at the Faculty of Humanities in Koper,
http://www.fhs-kp.si. The participation fee is 55 Euros and covers the
conference sessions and materials as well as a banquet. The participants
will be accommodated in different locations in Koper, depending on the
budget option they choose. There are different accommodations possible,
from 19 Euros in high school dormitory to 31 Euros in Hotel Vodisek,
http://www.hotel-vodisek.com/. The prices are for one person/night in
two - bedrooms, and single rooms are 10 Euros more per night. There are
also many other available hotels in Koper, Izola and Piran, and
information can be found through a web search.

The application deadline to attend is September 15 2006. The payment for
the participations fee should be transferred to ZIP bank account by
October 2006. All inquires about application, accommodation and other
information should be sent to Bojana Skrt at bojana.skrt@siol.net .

Koper is a beautiful old town at the Adriatic coast, one hour from the
capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, and two hours from Venice, Italy and
half an hour from the Croatian border. Low cost flights from within
Europe are available to Ljubljana and Trieste with connecting short
train and bus rides to Koper. We recommend that participants from
overseas check the option of flying to Venice. This would allow for an
exciting tourist opportunity to be part of your trip. There are regular
train connections between Venice and Trieste and a bus connection to
Koper. We will also organize vans for pickup in Venice and then bring
you to Koper if you register and pay a modest fee.

Organizing committee:

Bojana Skrt, Za in proti, zavod za kulturo dialoga, Slovenia Alfred C.
Snider, World Debate Institute at University of Vermont, USA Igor Zagar,
Educational Research Institute and University of Primorska, Slovenia

For more information, see our website at:

http://debate.uvm.edu/betterworld.htm

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