The Mediterranean is a complex combination of ideas, feelings, imageries, cultures, ways of life, cultivated for centuries and still cultivated in this “sea (not ocean) amongst lands”; which was called mare nostrum by Romans and which could still be called in such a way if we understand nostrum in a different way: as a reference to us, human beings. The aim of this conference is to increase awareness about the Mediterranean as a departure and arrival point for the construction of a pluralistic society.

Argument

The Mediterranean is a complex combination of ideas, feelings, imageries, cultures, ways of life, cultivated for centuries and still cultivated in this “sea (not ocean) amongst lands”; which was called mare nostrum by Romans and which could still be called in such a way if we understand nostrum in a different way: as a reference to us, human beings.

Nowadays, the Mediterranean is affected by major changes. The social role of territories has changed: not only people are able to move and travel in a less expensive and easy way, but an increasing number of people can build their identity with multiple senses of belonging. These changes paved the way for new opportunities for multipolarity and also give new opportunities to territories historically destined to marginalization.

New coexistences can be built with an approach that can effectively go beyond the classical oppositions Europe/Mediterranean, North/South; West/East, etc., and facilitate the configurations of a new dimension of social space and daily life.

Modern society, including Europe and the Mediterranean, presents strong territorial and morphological differences. The diversifications of knowledge and cultural values born in the Mediterranean Basin (South Europe, North Africa and Middle East) can be the strategic elements to overcome the current European crisis and become an incentive for the review of policies and for the growth of a true European cultural heritage, to be passed on to future generations.

Within this knowledge, certainly social sciences and humanities have an essential role. Cultures, however, should be understood in a wider sense, including ways of life and everyday life.

On the shores of the Mediterranean different ways of life coexist, but they meet a common denominator in the belonging to the basin of the mare nostrum. An example can be found in the dietary habits. Think about the Mediterranean diet and, in particular, about what Fernand Braudel called the “Mediterranean triad”: olive, vine and wheat, as well as their derivatives: oil, wine, bread. These products are not only the food basis of the citizens living in Mediterranean countries, but they also acquire a huge importance in a symbolic and cultural sense. Although used in different forms and proportions, the products of the “Mediterranean triad” are a unifying factor among the peoples of the mare nostrum.

Ways of life, moreover, do not concern only food, but also other elements: educational processes, cultural manifestations, leisure (think, for example, about tourism and travels), body and sexuality studies, etc., which undoubtedly are a part of the cultures and of the exchanges among the different shores of the Mediterranean.

In the present context, characterized by conflicts and instability, the dialogue among cultures and societies of the Mediterranean, in order to promote pluralism, diversity and freedom, is undoubtedly more necessary. Indeed, the increasing globalization and the massive migration flows ensure that the exchanges among different civilizations becomes more intense.

If Europe and Europeans want to build a better and brighter future, they must review their relations with the mare nostrum, together with the other peoples living on the Mediterranean shores.

The aim of this Conference is thus to increase awareness about the Mediterranean as a departure and arrival point for the construction of a pluralistic society, starting from a great variety of cultures, societies and ways of life. We also aim at disseminating the research results on such topics.

Themes

The Conference is open to contributions that address the great questions concerning the Mediterranean, the cultures and the societies developed on its shores.

Abstracts and papers can address either individual subjects, understood as case study, or general interpretations, as long as they propose original and innovative analysis.

More specifically, we aim to develop a reflection on the following topics related to the Mediterranean as a defining context:

• Europe and the Mediterranean
• History, cultures and heritage
• Knowledge and education processes
• Migrations and interculturality
• Political trends
• Mediterranean diet and well-being
• Tourism and leisure
• Identity, body and sexuality
• Art and literature
• Other topics

Important deadlines

Abstracts

• 15th October2016 – 1st call abstract submission

• 30th November2016 – 1st call abstract acceptance

• 30th November2016 – 2nd call abstract submission [NEW DEADLINE]

• 30th December2016 – 2nd call abstract acceptance

Abstract Submission Guidelines

Abstracts (in Word document, Times New Roman 12) must be submitted in English and should have max. 2000 text characters, including: selected theme / topic, keywords, name(s) and academic title of the author(s), affiliation(s), complete mail address(es), e-mail address(es), corresponding author and must be submitted electronically through the conference’s e-mail: medcult2017@ualg.pt

Papers (optional)

• 15th July 2017 – Paper submission
• 15th September 2017 – Paper selection for publication

Notes for paper submission

Papers should be sent by e-mail: medcult2017@ualg.pt

The submitted papers should be related to the list of conference subjects or included in a Special Session (in this case, please mark this in the title of the paper). We expect the articles to be: well identified (authors, home institution, email address), written in technical english, and no longer than 25 pages (including tables, graphics and bibliography) in format Times New Roman, size 12, space 1,5 lines. Big tables and pictures can be provided in attachment to the articles. Only word documents will be accepted and the authors must be ready to follow guidelines for the references.

Publications

 - Selection of papers for Cambridge Scholars Publishing

 - Selection of papers for a special issue in Journal of Spatial and Organizational Dynamics

 - Selection of papers for a special issue in Journal of Mediterranean Knowledge (JMK)

 - Selection of papers for a special issue in Tourism and Management Studies Journal

Scientific Commission

• Teresa de Noronha, University of Algarve, Portugal (mtvaz@ualg.pt)
• João Guerreiro, University of Algarve, Portugal (jguerreiro@ualg.pt)
• Eric Vaz, Ryerson University, Canada (evaz@geography.ryerson.ca)
• João Bernardes, University of Algarve, Portugal (jbernar@ualg.pt)
• Cláudia Ribeiro de Almeida, University of Algarve, Portugal (calmeida@ualg.pt)
• Maria Mateus, University of Algarve, Portugal (mpmateus@ualg.pt)
• José António Santos, University of Algarve, Portugal (jasantos@ualg.pt)
• Ana Cristina Figueira, University of Algarve, Portugal (afiguei@ualg.pt)
• Jean Louis Rastoin, Montpellier SupAgro, France (jean-louis.rastoin@supagro.fr)
• Giuseppina Carrà, Catania University, Italy (carra@unict.it)
• Samir Mili, CSIC, Madrid, Spain (samir.mili@cchs.csic.es)
• Suzanne Piscopo, University of Malta (suzanne.piscopo@um.edu.mt)
• Badiaa Lyoussi, University of Morocco (lyoussi@iam.net.ma)
• Andre Torre, INRA, Paris (torre@agroparistech.fr)
• Blanca Miedes, University of Huelva, Spain (miedes@uhu.es)
• Estrella Gualda, University of Huelva, Spain (estrella@uhu.es)
• Mar Gallego, University of Huelva, Spain (mar@uhu.es)
• Emiliana Mangone, ICSR MK, University of Salerno, Italy (emangone@unisa.it)
• Giuseppe D'Angelo, ICSR MK, University of Salerno, Italy (gidangelo@unisa.it)
• Mohamed Benguerna, CREAD, Algeri, Algeria (mbenguerna@yahoo.fr)
• Leonarda Trapassi, University of Seville, Spain (ltrapassi@us.es)
• Inês Amorim, University of Porto, Portugal (iamorim@letras.up.pt)
• John Chircop, University of Malta, Malta (john.chircop@um.edu.mt)
• Carlo Gelosi, UNISTRADA, Reggio Calabria, Italy (gelosi@unistrada.it)
• Flavia Monceri, UNIMOL, Campobasso, Italy (flavia.monceri@unimol.it)
• Folco Cimagalli, LUMSA, Rome, Italy (cimagalli@lumsa.it)

Registration

Registration Deadlines

Until 15th March - Early Registration Fee:

• Participants – 120 euros
• Students and Protocols – 70 euros

Until 30th April - Late Registration Fee:

• Participants – 250 euros
• Students and Protocols – 140 euros

Inscription fee includes attendance to all scientific sessions, official documentation of the conference, certificate of the conference, 2 lunches and coffee breaks. 

Payment information

Association Only4search

University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Building 7, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal

VAT Number: PT509889700

IBAN: PT50 0035 0199 0000 4061 03064

Swift Code (BIC): CGDIPTPL

Account Number: 004061-030

NIB: 0035 0199 0000 4061 03064

Conference Secretariat 

medcult2017@ualg.pt

Address: University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Building 9, 8005-139, Faro