Int'l confce on cultural transformation begins

An international conference with a view to exploring relationship between culture and socio-political and economic changes began at Brac Centre Inn in the city yesterday.
The two-day conference titled 'Cultural Transformations: Development Initiatives and Social Movements' will have over 80 participants from China, Japan, Taiwan, India, Singapore, the United States and Australia. They will present papers on cultural transformations across the world.
The Inter-Asian Cultural Studies Society (IACSS), a network of universities and research institutions from East, South East and South Asia, organises the conference once in every other year.
The consortium explores ways of imaging the idea of Asia in the new century, keeping its cultural, political and social histories in view.
The Department of English and Humanities of Brac University and Brac Development Institute are hosting the conference.
English and Humanities Department Chairperson Prof Firdous Azim in her welcome address said Asian universities need to set up more post-graduate programmes on cultural studies.
This would help generate a larger academic framework from the perspective of Asian countries, she said, adding, “Now, all we get are western discourses”.
University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof AK Azad Chowdhury was present as the chief guest at the programme with Brac University Vice-Chancellor Prof Ainun Nishar in the chair.
Ashish Rajadhyaksha from Bangalore's Centre for the Study of Culture and Society (CSCS) and Dhaka's Central Women's University Vice-Chancellor Prof Perween Hasan presented the keynote papers at the inaugural session.
The conference will continue today with presentations on sexuality and feminism, cinema, art, theatre and many more.
It starts at 9:30am and ends at 7:00pm at Brac University.