Call for Abstracts

The 5th International Conference and Consolidation on Indigenous Religions

 “Democracy of the Vulnerable”

22 – 24 November 2023; PUI Javanologi UNS, Solo, Central Java, Indonesia

How do vulnerable groups talk about democracy? The buildup to the 2024 Indonesian election has shown how discourses and spaces of democracy are dominated by narratives focusing on electoral democracy supporting the interests of political and economic elites. Although electoral democracy is called “the party of the people”, in reality, it is dominated by ceremonial aspects and the politics of conflicting identities. As a consequence, it reproduces social polarizations, and so in turn makes democracy vulnerable. In practice, electoral democracy reproduces discourses of excluded minorities, and it strengthens the marginalization of vulnerable groups.

Addressing these challenges, ICIR will host the 5th International Conference and Consolidation on Indigenous Religions at the University of 17 Agustus 1945 Semarang. The theme of the conference is “Democracy of the Vulnerable”. Drawing on previous themes, the 5th ICIR continues to critically examine ideas and practices of democracy, by focusing on the voices of vulnerable groups whose citizenship rights, interests, and aspirations are rarely addressed. It aims to open spaces for followers of indigenous religions, indigenous communities, groups of religious and gender minorities, disability groups, and children and young people to amplify their ideas, insights and experience on democracy.

The 5th ICIR invites scholars, academics, intellectuals, researchers, practitioners, and, more specifically, members of communities to scrutinize democracy and its vulnerabilities from the perspective of the vulnerable. It emphasizes the lived struggles of vulnerable citizens in civic life.

Themes

The theme of the 5th ICIR is “Democracy of the Vulnerable”. Issues to be addressed may include but are not limited to the following topics:

1. Vulnerabilities, human rights, and democratic resilience
2. Democracy, identity politics, and socio-cultural polarization
3. Democracy and social movements of the vulnerable
4. Democratic spaces for GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion)
5. Democratization, youth and women’s activism
6. Digital rights, hoaxes and the democratic sphere
7. Ecological rights of the vulnerable
8. Religious moderation and religious freedom for the vulnerable
9. Religious/Kepercayaan Education and inclusion 
10. (Local) cultures and democracy

Time and venue

The 5th ICIR will be held both online and in person on 20-23 November 2023 in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. It is jointly organized with the Study Program of Education on Kepercayaan terhadap Tuhan Yang Maha Esa, Faculty of Languages and Culture, University of 17 Agustus 1945 Semarang.

Key dates

Registration

Submit your abstract here.

Registration is free.

Participants are responsible for their own airfare and accommodation.

Contact Person

Ribka: +62 81527229127
Umbu: +62 81236005010

email: rumahbersama@icir.or.id