MINI-CONGRESS FOR CRITICAL DISCUSSION

The Paulo and Nita Freire International Project for Critical Pedagogy, McGill University and The Friends of Paulo and Nita Freire for the Development of Critical Pedagogy, Spain with the collaboration of the Centre of research in Theories and Practices that overcome Inequalities at the University of Barcelona; and The University of Granada, are hosting a gathering in Baeza, Spain in September 2009. We are inviting an intimate number of colleagues and friends in hopes of sharing our work, advocating for social issues, and creating a strong global network of like-minded colleagues who are engaged in critical cultural work.

We will also celebrate the lives of Paulo Freire, Jesus “Pato” Gomez, and Joe L. Kincheloe.

INVITATION:

We invite you to attend this amazing event. The gathering will not be structured like many conferences; indeed, we wish to create a space similar in nature to the Rockefeller Bellagio Center. To this end, we will paraphrase our goals similarly to the Bellagio model:

This gathering will provide space for framing debates on global issues, to translate theory into action, and for devising creative responses to pressing issues, especially those directed at alleviating poverty and vulnerability, and in engaging in acts of social justice. We will become a force for those who need our assistance in collaboration, research, tenure and promotion, and advocacy.

We are not asking that participants “present” a traditional paper or publication, instead, we ask that you prepare a short outline of concerns and interests, and that you participate in collective conversations and initiatives. We plan 4 main themes for conversation:

1. Radical Love
2. Critical Health and Well-being
3. Critical engagement with and by Indigenous Peoples
4. Critical Global Networking, Publishing, and Advocacy

Additionally, we will have musical and cultural interludes…bring your musical instrument….

LOCATION:

We will be in Baeza, a city that has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, on the campus of the Universidad Internacional de Andalucía.

The campuses of UNIA, in addition to hosting excellent facilities for the development of academic life, are located in important heritage sites, such as the La Rabida campus, the monumental site of Santa Maria de las Cuevas Monastery in Seville or, where we will be staying, the Palacio de Jabalquinto The rehabilitation works of the palace obtained the 2005 Award for interventions in World Heritage Sites by the Spanish Ministry of Culture. The university now uses the palace as a residence. 

Built between the 15th and 16th centuries by Juan Alfonso de Benavides as a palatial home, this palace has a flamboyant Gothic facade and a charming marble colonnaded Renaissance patio. It's a perfect example of how the old can be retained and incorporated into the new.

DATES:

We plan to arrive September 16th, 2009 and will celebrate Paulo Freire’s birthday on the 19th, with Nita Freire. Our dialogues will begin on September 17th and end on September 19th, with participants leaving September the 20th.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer any financial assistance, but we have ensured that the costs are minimal and hope we have given you enough time to seek funds. We can provide a formal letter requesting your participation for your home institution or organization.

 DETAILS: