ISTR Asia-Pacific Regional Conference 8-10 December 2021, Sabah, Malaysia.

Full Text Sharing

https://www.istr.org/page/AsiaPacific

IMPORTANT DATES

Deadline for Abstract submissions: August 1, 2021

Notification of acceptance/rejection to authors: September 15, 2021

Deadline for presenter conference registration: October 15, 2021

Deadline for final submission of papers: November 26, 2021

Special programming for PhD Students: December 7, 2021

Conference: December 8-10, 2021

Conference Registration Fees

ISTR Members: $200 USD/$150 USD students

Non-members: $325 USD for those from middle/high income countries/$250 for those from low income countries. This fee includes includes a one-year ISTR Membership.

Limited registration subsidies will be available.

Conference Local Hosts

Organizing Chairperson: Dr. Janice L. H. Nga, Associate Professor, Planning and Development Economics, Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Deputy Chairperson: Dr. Rozilee Bin Asid, Deputy Dean (Research & Innovation), Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Active Civil Society: Post-crises rebuilding, mobilising and innovating

2020 has been marked by dramatic dislocations and disruptions including the Covid-19 pandemic and political changes across the region and globally. These crises have had variable effects on third sector organisations and civil society in particular, with reports of constrained resources, outmoded communication/collaboration technologies and passive responses. Yet, civil society survives and thrives as it actively develops community crises responses, forms networks of mutual aid, mobilises action and innovates to achieve new outcomes.

The Covid-19 pandemic has infiltrated all walks of life and the effects on civil society and the third sector have varied between nations and across different segments of society. These include the mobilisation of volunteers, but also the recognition that volunteering has changed, as have the ways of recruiting, managing and supporting them. Funding has been disrupted in all sectors, with philanthropy stretched to deal with urgent issues, government funding demanded by all but limited, low donations, often due to the disruption of fundraising events. More positively, extensive use of communication technologies have allowed for innovations, although it has also highlighted the digital divide. Post-crisis life therefore presents opportunities to rebuild, and innovate and we invite papers that reflect on these changes and the ‘new normal’ that can guide third sector organisations in the future.

Crises, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, are felt unequally across generations, socio-economic structures and in different regions. Civil society is instrumental in mitigating the worst effects of these impacts, to advocate for democratic solutions, mobilise and connect communities and highlight and work against discriminations. Again, post-crisis reflection enables learning about how best to rebuild, mobilise and innovate.

Research is important in learning, publicising and developing innovations, yet the crisis has disrupted the lives of researchers who are family members, teachers, and civil society members as well. Access to empirical data has been restricted in some instances and required innovations and perseverance. Papers that present innovations in method, theory and practice are welcomed, as noted below.

ISTR ASIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE STREAMS

Researchers are invited to submit papers under the following streams:

1. Civil Society’s Active Response/s to Crises

2. Civil Society and Democratisation

3. Developing Southern Theory for Third Sector Studies

4. Digitization/technology, Open Government and Civil Society

5. Emerging Methodologies, Theory and Practice

6. Organization and Leadership

7. Philanthropy

8. Partnerships and Collaborations, including Corporate Social Responsibility

9. Regulation and Change

10. Social Enterprise

11. Sustainable Development Goals: Working Towards Their Achievement

12. Third Sector Innovation in Welfare, Education and Health

13. Sustainability and Environmental Issues in Civil Society

GENERAL INFORMATION

Forms of Participation: Papers, Panels, Roundtable, and Posters

Abstract Submissions

To be considered for review, an abstract of not more than 500 words (not including references) must include:

• A statement of the empirical or theoretical concern.

• A short summary locating the concern within a wider literature.

• A concise account of the empirical or theoretical methodological approach.

• The main arguments of the paper and an indication of the supporting evidence.

• A statement of the main conclusions and their relevance to an international audience

_________________________________

MEETING: Wednesday, 7 October 2020

Asia Pacific Regional Network Meeting

6:00 pm Hong Kong. Check your time zone.