WYBS Annual Conference 2014

Theme: Social Responsibilities

Friday, August 1st, 2014 to Tuesday, August 5th, 2014, Hong Kong

CALL FOR ESSAYS, VIDEOS AND CARTOONS

(Submission due: Friday 30 May 2014)

To encourage a young generation of researchers, scholars and students to understand the essence of Buddhism and to promote social harmony, World Youth Buddhist Society is delighted to announce the fourth WYBS Annual Conference of this year which will take place at the beginning of August at Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong.

World Youth Buddhist Society contributes to critical research discussions and talks between Buddhism and other religions or cultures. It provides prestigious opportunities for scholars, researchers, and students at all stages of their work across the world to get involved and to give their perspectives in relevant domains and discussions. It focuses on bridging gaps among academia, theory and practices with an open, inclusive and altruistic heart.

This year, echoing the aim of WYBS, we invite you to attend the WYBS Annual Conference exploring how we can respond positively to and how we can contribute to the social responsibilities regardless of ethnicity, gender and religion. You are very welcome to participate in this year’s 5-day conference by submitting an essay or creating a video or cartoons for a presentation, or simply by attending this event as audience.

● Events and Opportunities:

WYBS Annual Conference provides the winners of the essay competition, as well as the winners of video/cartoons competition, with the Excellent Essay Awards and Creativity Awards, respectively.

WYBS Annual Conference provides a unique platform for researchers, scholars and students to share and discuss their views and ongoing or completed work, to network with peers gaining feedback from friendly audience, whilst learning more about various topics in relevant fields and exploring from a wide range of perspectives, as well as gaining experience through giving presentation.

WYBS Annual Conference provides a precious opportunity for researchers, scholars and students who are interested in religion and culture to meet and talk with the Conference Keynote Speakers.

WYBS Annual Conference provides prestigious chances for all attendees to learn contemplation and meditation under the direction of experienced teachers.

WYBS Annual Conference provides a unique chance for all attendees to visit some of the most attractive tourist destinations in Hong Kong.

WYBS Annual Conference also provides a vibrant and interactive online community for all attendees to share their experiences and to exchange their ideas promptly.

Meet WYBS Annual Conference Committee and other WYBS members on Facebook: https://www.facebook.c o m/wybuddhist . Update the information of WYBS on Wechat: WYBS_HK, or on Weibo: http://weibo.com/u/3573842014 .

● Eligibility:

This call for essays, videos or cartoons is directed at researchers, scholars, students from junior college education and levels above, and presidents of societies related to religion or culture in universities, colleges or institutions. The non-student applicants interested in religion or traditional culture are also eligible. Seats are limited so early application is preferable.

● Submission and Presentation:

Excellent Essay Awards applicants and Creativity Awards applicants should submit a maximum 500-word essay abstract and/or a brief description of the videos or cartoons by May 30, 2014 at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gMNewjlDdxtDb2y0zoU321_j_kk3sEvVhxk_mfg8ddY/viewform , respectively. Attendees who don’t apply for the awards should submit their application forms by May 30, 2014 at the WYBS A pplication links above.

The essay abstract should contain the following: title of presentation; author name and/or affiliation; purpose of presentation and/or research questions; nature of the research presented (e.g. conceptual work, literature review discussion, or empirical research); research methodology and/or sample; key arguments, findings, and/or conclusions (if available/relevant).

Request for full essays, videos and/or cartoons from awards applicants is also due by May 30, 2014. Please email a 3000-5000 word essay (a maximum of 20 pages in length including appendixes, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12pt font), videos and/or cartoon documents at conference@wybuddhist.com . For submissions which have already been published, a scanned copy should be emailed.

Submissions should critically examine existing phenomenon and/or propose new strategies for tackling issues related to the conference theme or sub-topics. Submissions from a variety of perspectives are favored. Essays, videos or cartoons linked to the following sub-topics are preferred:

Ÿ Social responsibility

Ÿ Environmental protection

Ÿ Ethics

Ÿ Public welfare

Ÿ Dialogues between Tibetan Buddhism and other religions

All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of members of the sponsor organizations, which will ensure a range of high-quality presentations. Notifications and offers of admission will be sent out by mid June 2014. Each approved submission will have the chance to be presented at this year’s WYBS Annual Conference.

● Conference Fees:

All attendees will be entitled to 300 China Yuan (or the equivalent value in Hong Kong dollar) as administration fees which are non-refundable. Students who could not afford the fees can apply for waiving them. Information on the payment procedure will be made available at a later stage.

The board and lodging (6 nights, from July 31 to August 5, 2014) for all attendees during the 5-day conference are fully sponsored by World Youth Buddhist Society Committee. Other costs, including (but not limited to) transportation (such as flights/trains to and from Hong Kong) and visa fees, should be at the expense of attendees. Information on the accommodation will be made available at a later stage.

● Conference Hosts:

WYBS Annual Conference is hosted by the World Youth Buddhist Society, the Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education at the Hong Kong Institute of Education, the Buddhist Society of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Centre for the Study of Humanistic Buddhism of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Extensive appreciation is given to all sponsors and volunteers for their strong and long-standing dedication.

● Conference Venue:

The Hong Kong Institute of Education

Tai Po Campus

10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong ( travel advice )

Information on the conference timetable will be made available at a later stage. For further enquiries, please email WYBS Annual Conference Committee at conference@wybuddhist.com .

More information about the conference can be found at: www.wybuddhist.com .

We look forward to meeting you in August 2014!