1st Interntional Conference on Ethiopian Church Studies

September 2 – 3, 2017, Lund, Sweden

Theme: Ethiopian Ecclestiastical Heritage

Conference Program

A total 8 papers  and 4 keynote speeches  will be presented in the two day conference.  Click here for the Conference Schedule.

The conference is open for public.

    Keynote Speakers

      1. Rev. Abate Desalegn (UK)
      2. Professor David Phillipson (formerly Cambridge University, UK)
      3. Professor Samuel Rubenson (Lund University, Sweden)
      4. Professor Shiferaw Bekele (Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

    Theme Selection Rationale

    Ethiopian Church Studies is the name of the peer-reviewed annual journal published by Mahibere Kidusan Research Centre based in Addis Ababa, the head quarter. This international conference of the Ethiopian Church Studies will be the first of its kind in Europe. The conference organizing committee selected ‘the Ethiopian Ecclesiastical Heritage’ to be the theme and the first issue of this international conference  for some obvious but basic reasons.

    The Ethiopian church is the main creator, source and repository of the country’s heritage. Its churches and monasteries are the major tourist destinations in Ethiopia. The culture and history of Ethiopia is deeply influenced and shaped by the Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity where heritage plays a dominant role. This ancient and apostolic church has still countless treasures which are not yet properly known and adequately researched. Most importantly, a considerable number of the heritages are found in a serious danger because of poor  conservation and management that needs urgent attention.

    Suggested Topics

    The conference will focus on the research presentations that revolve around the Ethiopian ecclesiastical heritage. Considering the theme of the conference, researchers who wish to participate in this event are invited to present papers addressing the following items or related issues:

    • literary heritage
    • hymnodical  heritage
    • crafts heritage
    • cultural landscape
    • art and architectural heritage
    • history and heritage
    • heritage and identity
    • heritage and society
    • heritage and environment
    • heritage and tourism
    • heritage conservation
    • heritage interpretation
    • heritage and development
    • digital technology and heritage
    • social media and heritage
    • values of church heritage

    Abstract Submission

    The conference organizers kindly invite scholars who are interested to submit an abstract of not more than 600 words for full paper presentation. Abstracts should contain the title of the presentation and a clear description of the work. Paper presenters will be selected on the basis of the merits of the work of the submitted abstracts. Acceptance to the conference is subject to positive review of the abstract by the conference technical program committee. Individual paper presentation will be scheduled for 25-30 minutes.

     The accepted abstracts will be published in a booklet. It is our  ambition to have the printed booklet available at the beginning of the conference. Abstracts can be submitted in word or pdf format before  31 May, 2017. Notification of acceptance  will be presented  on 30 June 2017. The abstracts submissions should be accompanied by the presenter’s name and affiliation, a short (one page) CV and contact details. Further information about the process will be conveyed to selected presenters  in due course. Abstracts and accompanied documents shall  be submitted through the email  address eu.service.research@eotcmk.org.
    There is a possibility to publish the extended version of the work in the Journal of Ethiopian Church Studies and  hence authors can indicate their interest during the abstract submission.

    Conference Registration

    This two day conference will be open to the public. The first day presentation will be made in English and the next day will be in Amharic. All presenters and participants are requested to be registered for the conference. There is no registration fee but the transport and accommodation costs are to be covered by conference participants themselves. A certificate of attendance will be given for conference participants. The registration form will be available soon. 
    For further information, please contact Mahibere Kidusan Europe Center Professional Services & Capacity Building department by email eu.service@eotcmk.org

    Organizing Committee

    • Dr. Amsalu Tefera (Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany) – Chair
    • Mengistu Gobezie (Lund University, Sweden) – Secretary
    • Alebachew Belay (University of Toulouse, France)
    • Alemnew Sheferaw (Aalto University, Finland)
    • Dr. Frehiwot Wondimu (Syracuse University, USA)
    • Getachew Bekele (Norwegian University of Life Science, Norway)
    • Getachew Meressa (University of Calgary, Canada)
    • Dr. Wondwossen Tilahun (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, USA)
    • Dr. Yohannes Adigeh (Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia)

    Website Team

    • Gebrehiwet Biyane (University of Postadam, Germany)
    • Kidane M. Tekle (Tekle Consulting, Norway)

    Contact

    Email: eu.service@eotcmk.org
    Tel: +358456987878
    +46700679399

    Date Line

    Abstract Submission: 30 June 2017 (extended)

    Acceptance  Notification: 15 July 2017

    Participant Registration: 15 August 2017

    Conference Date: 02 – 03 September 2017

    Updates

    Call for abstract released : 15 April  2017

    Website online: 30 March 2017