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������President’s Plenary: New World A Comin…? The Political and Social Dimensions of Change and Crises Across a World without Boundaries

������President Dianne Pinderhughes kicked off the first plenary session of the 2023 ������World Congress entitled New World A Comin…? The Political and Social Dimensions of Change and Crises Across a World without Boundaries sponsored by the , University of Notre Dame. She explained that the vision behind this panel was to have a more comprehensive understanding of transboundary crises thanks to the original and creative research and experiences of the five speakers.
Photo: Dianne Pinderhughes

Their extensive academic knowledge on the subject, coupled with their diverse perspectives, helped foster dynamic discussions to deepen our understanding of the nature and challenges of today’s transboundary crises. Spanning the globe, these scholars drew on their own scholarly work and leadership roles to address the contemporary issues facing national and international bodies, such as anti-democratic trends, racism and sexism. The speakers identified democratic backsliding, the rise in radical right-wing politics, and the loss of human rights as some of the causes and symptoms of current transboundary crises.

Terri Givens (Professor of Political Science at McGill University), while drawing from her experience studying immigration and race in Europe, emphasized the importance of analyzing these societal developments through a more inclusive lens while amplifying the voices of underrepresented people since there still exists a great institutional inequality and lack of representation. She also emphasized personal responsibility in regards to inequality. 
Photo: Terri Givens

Aníbal Pérez-Liñán (Director of the Kellogg Institute for International Studies) also explained that popular sentiment for authoritarian regimes does not simply vanish after a democratic transition. Using Argentina as an example, he explained that some of today's most popular political parties were involved in Argentina's dictatorial past.
Photo (left to right): Marian Sawyer and Aníbal Pérez-Liñán

The speakers also explored how COVID-19, a transboundary crisis of its own, has exacerbated current social issues. Swarna Rajagopalan (Scholar of security, peace accords, and women’s issues in Asia) described the rise in domestic violence as a “shadow pandemic” directly correlated with the sanitary crisis amid the increase of other gender-based inequalities and concerns, such as child marriage.
Photo: Swarna Rajagopalan

Marian Sawyer (Professor Emeritus at the Australian Centre for Federalism) gave a concise yet thorough overview of political gender struggles over the last few decades. She remarked that although progress has been made, strong counter-movements continue to threaten rights and advancements regarding gender. She continued by using the “Group of Friends of the Family”, a group of 25 countries that wish to enforce traditional family composition, as an example of a modern countermovement and way of confining people to gender roles.
Photo (left to right): Marian Sawyer and Aníbal Pérez-Liñán.

Lastly, Pearl T. Robinson (Professor of Political Science at Tufts University) closed the discussions by emphasizing the importance of not only studying politics academically but of experiencing it as well. She mentioned her valuable field experience and the phenomenon of democratic transition from military to civilian rule by a sovereign national conference in West-African countries previously colonized by the French.
Photo: Pearl T. Robinson

 

 

 

������Regional Dialogue Roundtable

������successfully hosted the second edition of its Regional Dialogues with national and regional political science associations (collective members) at the end of 2022. Throughout the year, five Regional Dialogue meetings were held virtually to foster stronger ties between ������and its collective members from Africa, the Americas, Asia-Oceania and Europe. Each meeting was chaired by ������Executive Committee members and was attended by ������President Dianne Pinderhughes, ������President-Elect Pablo Oñate, Executive Director Kim Fontaine-Skronski, Senior Director of Membership, Research and Strategy Mathieu St-Laurent, and representatives of ������collective members from these regions. ������President-Elect Pablo Oñate opened the discussion of the ������Regional Dialogue Roundtable by summarizing the Regional Dialogue initiative and introducing the EC members who chaired the 2022 meetings. In addition to the information relayed by the speakers, a special emphasis was put on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the collective members.
Photo: Pablo Oñate

Europe (Presented by Francesca Longo)
������Executive Committee member Francesca Longo (University of Catania) presented the findings from their meeting with European representatives. They highlighted the use of virtual platforms for meetings and conferences, and the importance of open access publications. They also mentioned high levels of stress and anxiety among students and the new reality for universities. Overall, the discussions emphasized the need to address current challenges and maintain the discipline’s research quality.
Photo: Francesca Longo

 

Asia-Oceania (Presented by Euiyoung Kim)
The findings of the Asia-Oceania region were presented by ������EC member and WC2023 Program Co-chair Euiyoung Kim (Seoul National University). Prof. Kim explained that associations from Asia and Oceania faced several challenges during the pandemic, including a decline in membership, reduced funding for conferences, and restrictions on overseas travel. As a potential solution to the impact of the pandemic, several associations explored the hybrid meeting format, which had its own difficulties. Overall, the discussions highlighted the importance of adaptability, inclusiveness, and collaboration in addressing the impact of the pandemic on political science.
Photo: Euiyoung Kim

The Americas (Presented by Azul A. Aguiar-Aguilar)
������EC member Azul A. Aguiar-Aguilar (Jesuit University of Guadalajara) pointed out that the pandemic had differing impacts on the Americas. Virtual meetings brought greater regularity, but organizing large virtual events was a challenge. Associations faced declining membership and revenues, while virtual platforms allowed for stronger regional connections.
Photo: Azul A. Aguiar-Aguilar 

 

������Guillermo O’Donnell Award Launch & Lecture and Special Session

Guillermo O’Donnell’s academic legacy was celebrated in two capacities during the first day of the World Congress: First, through the launching of an award in his honour and second, through a special session that applied his analysis of the unstable nature of democracies to the current state of governance around the world today.

The ������Guillermo O’Donnell Award for Latin-American Scholars was launched at the 2023 ������World Congress to pay tribute to the remarkable legacy of Guillermo O’Donnell, IPSA’s Past President and one of Latin America’s most prominent political scientists.
Photo: Kim Fontaine-Skronski 

During the event, ������Executive Director Kim Fontaine-Skronski welcomed guests and introduced Marianne Kneuer, ������Past President and Co-founder of the award, who talked about Guillermo O’Donnell and the objectives of this new award. 
Photo: Marianne Kneuer

The next speaker was ������President Dianne Pinderhughes, who congratulated the organizers and highlighted O’Donnell’s legacy for ������and the political science community. Gabriela Ippolito-O’Donnell, Co-founder of the award, then took the stage to thank ������for its support in making this award a reality, and to share some personal memories of Guillermo O’Donnell.
Photo: Dianne Pinderhughes

For the occasion, Terry L. Karl, the 2023 Latin American Studies Association (LASA) Guillermo O’Donnell Democracy Award Recipient, delivered a lecture at the event. Dr. Karl, Professor of Political Science at the Centre on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law at Stanford University, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, presented the concept of democracy as an inherent contradiction. On the one hand, it has been a vessel for aspiration and freedom. On the other hand, it has also been a constant competition for power, increasing inequalities and the "financialization" of the economy. Moreover, the constant increase in immigration, the creation of mega-identities with fear-based and morally detached personalities and, consequently, the constant devaluation of human life have been some of the main challenges enunciated by academics. The lecture was followed by a lively Q&A session.
Photo: Terry L. Karl

About the Award
Thanks to the generous support of its founder, Prof. Gabriela Ippolito-O’Donnell, this new commemorative award will be attributed biennially to a Latin American scholar with residence in the region who has contributed innovative research to the field of political science and has completed their Ph.D. within the last seven years, without any age limit. The award will consist of a monetary prize of $3000 USD and an invitation to give a lecture at the World Congress of Political Science. Given in honor of Prof. Guillermo O’Donnell, a distinguished Argentine political scientist, the prize will be awarded for the first time at the 2025 World Congress of Political Science in Seoul, South Korea.

Photo (left to right): Dianne Pinderhughes, Marianne Kneuer, Gabriela Ippolito-O’Donnell, Kim Fontaine-Skronski and Terry L. Karl.

 

Special Session: Revisiting O’Donnell in an Era of Democratic Backsliding

The Special Session Revisiting O’Donnell in an Era of Democratic Backsliding, chaired by Gabriela Ippolito-O’Donnell, brought together eminent scholars who, inspired by Guillermo O'Donnell's research, have also made significant contributions to the field of political science. Panelists included Gabriela Ippolito-O’Donnell (Universidad Nacional de San Martín), Martin Mejía (Tulane University), Catalina Smulovitz (Universidad Torcuato Di Tella), Timothy Power (Oxford University), Susan Stokes (University of Chicago), Maxwell Cameron (University of British Columbia), and Kenneth Roberts (Cornell University). 

The roundtable’s discussions mainly revolved around the topic of democracy and its volatility. The scholars used O’Donnell’s belief that democracy is in a constant state of crisis as a starting point for lively exchanges on global governance. Susan Strokes analyzed the relationship between income inequality and the risk of democratic erosion, using national data and the examples of Serbia, Brazil and the United States.
Photo: Susan Strokes

Catalina Smulovitz presented Guillermo O'Donnell's idea based on democracy as an idea of fullness. She raised the question: why are we worried about political polarization when liberal indices show the opposite, understanding that today’s societies do not have the necessary mechanisms to understand the intensity of this problem?
Photo: Catalina Smulovitz

Maxwell Cameron analyzed corruption from a more federal perspective and in relation to encroachment. Presenting the phenomenon of democratic delinquency, he gave examples of the perpetuation of fraud in the name of electoral freedom and the institutionalization of procedures for unproven charges. Timothy Power understood that regime change is not linear. Comparing the authoritarian regimes of Brazil and Argentina, he highlighted the fact that new political leaders have no knowledge of the past in terms of authoritarian regimes, which has a direct impact on democratic institutions. Kenneth Roberts talked about democracy as an open horizon and posed the dilemma of how to pave the way for a more democratic arena.

 

 

Congress Theme Session: Political Violence and Radicalization in the Age of Transboundary Crisis

������Vice-President Hasret Dikici Bilgin (Istanbul Bilgi University) chaired the first theme session of the ������World Congress on 16 July. The panel, “Political Violence and Radicalization in the Age of Transboundary Crisis”, brought together renowned scholars to explore critical aspects of radicalization, a topic relevant to current ideological, political and religious extremism trends. Madalena Meyer Resende, a scholar with expertise on comparative relations between religion and state, participated in the panel as a discussant, providing her insights and commentary on the topics presented.

The panel began by situating radicalization within a more extended period of political transformation, drawing on the French case. In their presentation, “Radicalized Democracy”, Stephen Sawyer (Associate Editor of International Political Science Abstracts, American University of Paris) and Roman Zinigrad (American University of Paris) argued that an emphasis on response to specific threats and acts of violence prevents us from seeing how radicalization is participating in a broader shift in the political practice of democracy. 

The second presentation, “Visual Representation of Refugees: Media Mediation of Radicalization in Competitive Authoritarian Contexts”, examined the relationship between authoritarianism and the mainstreaming of radicalization through visual media in Türkiye and Hungary. The authors, Roland Fazekas (Glasgow Caledonian University), Hasret Dikici Bilgin (������Vice-President), and Umut Korkut (������Vice-President), argued that the visual representation of refugees mainstreams radicalization in all countries, but has additional consequences in the authoritarian context by redirecting political discontent away from governments and onto refugees.

Sophia Solomon’s (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) presentation, “Public Parades as a Mechanism for (De)Radicalization,” examined the role of public parades in the process of radicalization and deradicalization, with a focus on parades in Jerusalem. Finally, in his presentation, “Can States Do Anything? A Critical Examination of Naturalization and Citizen-Making as Tools for Deradicalization,” Robin Harper (York College, City University of New York) examined the role of naturalization and citizenship policies in countering radicalization.
 

Sponsored Session: How to Face the Challenges of Shrinking Public Space?

Civic House, an organization that expands the civic and social uses of technology in Latin America, held an insightful session on addressing the challenges posed by a shrinking public space. Presenters Gastón Wright, Cecilia Galvan, Maricel Lonati, and Marco Di Natale engaged participants in a thought-provoking discussion on the relationship between a shrinking civic space and the government’s interest in adopting comprehensive data protection laws. Civil society organizations in Latin America often face several challenges, including limited access to funding, political instability, corruption, social inequality, and restricted freedom of expression. These challenges can significantly affect their operational effectiveness and hinder their ability to achieve meaningful social impact. During the session, participants were encouraged to actively participate and share their perspectives and insights on how civil society organizations can overcome these challenges and ensure their voices are heard in an increasingly constrained environment.

 

Tech Zone Presentation: A Quick Introduction to QDA Miner and WordStat Text Analysis Software

Attendees at the 2023 ������World Congress had the opportunity to participate in an informative presentation on the QDA Miner and WordStat text analysis software organized by Provalis Research. Provalis Research is a software company that specializes in the development of qualitative data analysis software and services over 6,000 institutions worldwide. During this Tech Zone session, founder and president of Provalis Research, Normand Peladeau, provided a comprehensive overview of two of their powerful software tools: QDA Miner, a qualitative data analysis and mixed methods tool, and WordStat, a quantitative content analysis and text mining software. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment, allowing participants to engage directly with Mr. Peladeau.

 

������Supports Global South Participation with Travel Grants 

The ������World Congress of Political Science is a unique opportunity for scholars from different regions and backgrounds to exchange their research and ideas. To ensure diverse and inclusive participation, ������provides travel grants to assist scholars who live and work in developing countries with the cost of attending this global event. Thirty-two scholars from 26 countries met with ������Executive Director Kim Fontaine-Skronski to receive their travel grants. We congratulate the recipients of the ������Travel Grants and hope they had a fruitful and enjoyable experience at the ������World Congress in Buenos Aires.

 

Research Method Courses

The Research Methods Courses are a long-standing tradition at the ������World Congress. These courses, taught by renowned international instructors, provide state-of-the-art information on recent advances in research methods across various fields. 

������offered three courses at the 2023 ������World Congress on 15 July. The first course, Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), was taught in person by Dirk Berg-Schlosser, Professor Emeritus at the University of Marburg. The course provided a brief introduction to the main variants of the QCA method: crisp-set QCA, multi-value QCA, and fuzzy-set QCA. The second course, Process-Tracing, was taught by Natalia Calfat, staff member of the Project on Shi’ism and Global Affairs at the Harvard Divinity School. The Process-Tracing course focused on the practical use of process tracing for in-depth single case studies and small-n comparisons. The third course, Mixed Methods Research and Designs, was taught online by Max Bergman, Chair of Social Research and Methodology at the Department of Social Sciences, University of Basel. The Mixed Methods Research Course explored when, how, and why to mix qualitative and quantitative methods within a research design.
 

 

Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony of the ������World Congress 2023 in Buenos Aires was a memorable event marking the beginning of IPSA’s first on-site World Congress since 2018. The ceremony was held at the Juan Pablo II Auditorium of the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina and was attended by over 1,000 participants. 

The ceremony began with a welcome word by ������Executive Director and Master of Ceremony, Kim Fontaine-Skronski, who welcomed Congress delegates, Program Co-chairs, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) members, volunteers, partners, sponsors and exhibitors. Dr. Fontaine-Skronski announced that ������reached a record-high number of members in 2023, with a total of 4,331.
Photo: Kim Fontaine-Skronski 

 

Dr. Fontaine-Skronski then introduced ������President Dianne Pinderhughes, who delivered the opening speech and thanked the LOC and its Co-chairs Martín D’Alessandro and María Laura Perera Taricco for their commitment and diligent efforts in organizing the Congress. She also thanked the Program Co-chairs, Theresa Reidy and Euiyoung Kim, for their excellent work in designing a diverse and inclusive program that covered a wide range of topics and perspectives. She invited ������Past President Marianne Kneuer to the stage to recognize her commitment to ������for over a decade and her dedication to the success of the Association.
Photo (left to right): Marianne Kneuer and Dianne Pinderhughes

 

The next speakers were Program Co-chairs Euiyoung Kim and Theresa Reidy, who presented an overview of the Congress program. Prof. Kim noted that a total of 5200 paper proposals were submitted, which was a huge achievement after the challenges of the COVID years. Drawing from a Confucian quote, he expressed how the Congress is a great opportunity for political science enthusiasts to share what they have learned and practiced, while getting the chance to see colleagues and friends from far places. Then, Theresa Reidy explained that although the past three years have been particularly difficult and trying due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have also shown the resilience of people and politics. She recounted how, after three years of uncertainty and meeting with Euiyoung Kim and other Executive Committee members over Zoom, it is a very satisfying and joyous feeling to finally be seeing the fruits of their labour in person.
Photo (left to right): Euiyoung Kim and Theresa Reidy

 

Participants also had the chance to hear Dr. Roberto Aras, Dean of the Social Sciences School at the Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA). Representing the President of UCA, Dr. Aras highlighted the long-standing collaboration between UCA and the Argentine Society of Political Analysis (SAAP) and that the University was proud to extend this relationship to ������as well. Dr. Aras emphasized the important role of political science in promoting peace and democratic citizenship. He expressed his gratitude for all participants that have come to the Congress to collaborate and grow intellectually.
Photo: Roberto Aras

 

Martín D’Alessandro, Co-chair of the LOC, then took the stage. He noted the significant Latin American contributions to the field of political science and announced that this Congress contains over eleven sessions on Latin American topics, nine sessions in Spanish, and one in Portuguese. Dr. D’Alessandro also spoke about challenges that the field of political science is currently facing, including hyper-specialization, factionalism, and how political scientists are no longer exclusively researchers and professors. Dr. D’Alessandro concluded by thanking all parties who contributed to the organization and the execution of the Congress, including the Argentine political science association’s President Gustavo Dufour.
Photo: Martín D’Alessandro

Next, the Chief Advisor to Buenos Aires City Mayor, Julia Pomares, gave a speech on behalf of the Mayor of Buenos Aires. A Doctor of Political Science herself, she expressed her appreciation that this event was being held in her home city, Buenos Aires. She mentioned that Argentina has not been immune to waves of populism and that many challenges have shaped Argentinian politics. She finished by wishing all participants a pleasant stay and experience in the city.
Photo: Julia Pomares

Finally, the ceremony featured a live performance by the Astor Piazzolla Quintet, a musical ensemble that continues the legacy of the Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla, who revolutionized tango with his innovative style. The quintet consists of five virtuoso musicians who play bandoneon, violin, piano, guitar and double bass, following Piazzolla's original arrangements. The audience enjoyed their expressive and sophisticated interpretation of Piazzolla's compositions.

 

 

Cocktail Reception

The opening ceremony was followed by a cocktail reception.

Plenary Session: Rethinking Migration in the Mid-21st Century 

The second Congress plenary was introduced by Program Co-chair Theresa Reidy (University College Cork). She gave a detailed overview of the impressive academic career of Dr. Anna Triandafyllidou, a leading figure in the field of migration. Dr. Triandafyllidou, Professor and Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration at the Toronto Metropolitan University, delivered an insightful plenary address Rethinking Migration in the Mid-21st Century.

In her presentation, Dr. Triandafyllidou examined the relationships between major socioeconomic and geopolitical transformations spanning the past four decades and the evolution of international migration and its governance. She introduced the topic by pointing out how quickly trends in migration have changed since the 2016 UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants. She shed light on the emerging challenges, opportunities, and trends encountered by migrants and governments while examining existing conceptual frameworks.

The presentation was divided into four periods: The first, beginning in 1989, coincided with the end of the Cold War; the second focused on the early years of 2000 with the rise of international terrorism and the related securitization of migration governance; the third period was marked by the 2008 global financial crisis and the subsequent decade of hyper migration largely due to internal conflicts; while the fourth and final period was comprised of the pandemic and post-pandemic world, a period of immobility. Within these time frames, she explored the roles of technology, urbanization and climate change in the evolution of global migration. She also spoke about post-colonial accountability and the hardships that migrants face, including the recent Mediterranean shipwrecks.

Early-Career Mentoring Café

The Early-Career Mentoring Café was a successful event that drew in students and early-career scholars from various countries. The session allowed participants to discuss the various aspects of a career in academia with senior colleagues who provided them with valuable insights into the expectations and challenges of pursuing a career in academia. 

The mentors, Pablo Oñate (������President-Elect, University of Valencia), Hasret Dikici Bilgin (������Vice-President, Bilgi University), Irasema Coronado (������EC member, Arizona State University.) and Stephen Sawyer (Associate Editor, International Political Science Abstracts, American University of Paris) offered guidance on how to secure research funding, manage grants and publish. They emphasized the importance of academic excellence, but also advised participants to pursue their interests and passions after completing their Ph.D. The main takeaway of the morning was that academic excellence is found in pursuing research interests that are close to a scholar’s heart.
 

Academic Freedom: A Comparative Perspective

������Executive Committee members Francesca Longo (University of Catania) and Arkadiusz Zukowski (University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn) chaired a special session on Academic Freedom (AF). The session featured prominent speakers from different parts of the world and disciplines. 

Roundtable Co-chair Prof. Longo provided a brief history of the concept of AF and emphasized that AF is one of the core values of IPSA. Prof. Zukowski highlighted the importance of discussing AF from different perspectives and cultures. He emphasized that democracy is on the decline around the world, with only 15% of the world's population living in countries that are considered full democracies. Prof. Catalina Smulovitz (Universidad Torcuato Di Tella) cautioned participants that no institution is safe from threats to AF, as restrictions are imposed through different and changing means. Prof. Smulovitz gave an overview of AF in South America, focusing on case studies from Brazil, Mexico, Nicaragua, Uruguay and Chile. Prof. Thibaud Boncourt (Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3) discussed the state of AF in French political science and discussed the cases of scholars persecuted for their research. Daniela Irrera (Università di Catania) provided a perspective on AF from the European community of political scientists. She emphasized that Europe suffers from more attacks on AF than many other regions of the world.

Finally, former ������Vice-President Christopher Isike (University of Pretoria) brought a perspective from the African continent on the state of AF in the region. He spoke about academic staff unions in countries such as Ghana and Nigeria, which represent and protect the interests of professors. He pointed out that African countries have inherited post-colonial states and government practices aimed at resource exploitation, and thus the academic community must work in a challenging environment. 

Congress Theme Session: The COVID-19 Pandemic as Accelerator for the Digital Transformation

Led by ������Past President Marianne Kneuer, the second theme session of the ������World Congress titled “The COVID-19 Pandemic as Accelerator for the Digital Transformation” explored the impact of the pandemic on digital transformation globally. The panel examined regional differences and identified the factors that influenced the acceleration of digital processes, such as political participation, government transactions, and healthcare procedures. Speakers Helen Margetts (University of Oxford) and Maximiliano Campos Rios (Universidad de Buenos Aires) discussed the future disruptions in the digitalization of political processes.

Award Session: 2023 Karl Deutsch Award Lecture

John Coakley, recipient of the 2023 Karl Deutsch Award, delivered a prize lecture on 17 July entitled “Routes towards Nationalist Mobilisation: Comparative European Patterns”. The session was led by Hasret Dikici Bilgin (������Vice-President and the Chair of the Committee on Organization, Procedures and Awards).

The purpose of the Karl Deutsch Award is to honour a prominent scholar engaged in the cross-disciplinary research, of which Karl Deutsch was a master, focusing on recognizing outstanding scholarship in global politics. The award is supported by the Karl Deutsch Fund. 

Prof. Coakley is currently Professor Emeritus in the School of Politics and International Relations at University College Dublin and a former Secretary-General of ������(1994-2000). In his award lecture, Prof. Coakley addressed the ongoing challenge of developing a comprehensive theory of nationalism, suggesting that exploring partial theories within specific geopolitical or historical contexts may hold greater promise. Focusing specifically on the growth of separatist nationalism in Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, he explored the multiple factors that influenced this phenomenon. Drawing on existing analyses, census data, and various other sources, Prof. Coakley examined the impact of socioeconomic modernization and cultural assimilation on the changing context within which counter-elites could challenge existing state structures. He meticulously examined the stages through which these counter-elites advanced their projects, shedding light on the distinctive elements that constituted nationalist ideology. These elements include the presence of origin myths, myths of national evolution, and occasionally, a myth of “destiny” that may have included territorial claims.

Finally, Prof. Coakley highlighted the potential role of expanded political and social rights in facilitating mass nationalist mobilization. He also emphasized that the political programs of emerging nationalist parties were inevitably reshaped or radicalized by transformative and tumultuous events such as the First World War.

Sponsored Session: Grants, Fellowships, Exchange, and Collaboration Programs for Research in and with Germany

Research in Germany, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, hosted an information session on grants, fellowships, exchange, and collaboration programs for research in and with Germany. Representatives from the German Research Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service, and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation provided Congress delegates with insights into the German research landscape, including valuable information on funding programs, collaboration opportunities, and information on grant application strategies. The session began with an overview of German universities and their international development in recent decades. Speakers noted that one of the remarkable features of the German educational system is that there are good universities spread throughout the country. A key recommendation from speakers to prospective grant applicants was that if you are not successful in your grant application, you should take reviewer comments seriously, but not personally. The session concluded with a Q&A session where participants received individual advice about their academic careers. 

Meet-the-Editor Session Series GEOP - Geopolitics and International Relations: From ‘Living apart together’ to ‘Friends with Benefits’

The ������World Congress featured an engaging Meet-the-Editor session that delved into the relationship between geopolitics and international relations. Organized by Brill Publishers, this session provided World Congress participants with a unique opportunity to discuss their own book projects and to interact with Prof. David Criekemans, editor of the Book Series “Geopolitics and International Relations”.

During the session, Prof. Criekemans drew attention to several countries to underscore the critical role of geopolitics and international relations in relation to renewable and conventional energy. Russia, as a traditional energy exporter, is striving to maintain its geopolitical influence in a changing energy landscape. Meanwhile, the United States is experiencing a boom in conventional energy production. In contrast, Germany is emerging as a leader in renewable energy, leading to changes in its geopolitical dynamics and positioning on the international stage.
Photo: David Criekemans

Publius: The Journal of Federalism Distinguished Scholar Award 2023

We are delighted to announce that Prof. Jill Vickers from Concordia University is the recipient of the Publius: The Journal of Federalism Distinguished Scholar Award 2023, given by IPSA’s RC28- Comparative Federalism and Multilevel Governance. This biennial award, supported by the Center for the Study of Federalism, recognizes living scholars whose publications have made significant contributions to our understanding and appreciation of federalism in single or multiple countries and transnational arrangements such as the European Union. The award was presented to Prof. Vickers during the RC28’s bi-annual meeting at the 2023 ������World Congress in Buenos Aires on 17 July.

The Second Asian Political Science Associations’ Presidential Roundtable

The 2023 ������World Congress featured a special event for the political science communities in Asia and Oceania. The Presidential Roundtable of Asian Political Science Associations, which was launched in 2021 as a virtual session, convened for the second time to discuss the state of the discipline, academic exchanges and cooperation, and the political challenges and crises in the region. 

The roundtable included former and current Presidents and Presidents-Elect of several political science associations (PSAs) in Asia and Oceania, such as the Chinese Association of Political Science (TAIPEI), the Japanese Political Science Association (JPSA), and the Korean Political Science Association (KPSA). The participants shared their insights and experiences on both academic and practical issues facing their political science communities, as well as explored ways to institutionalize the roundtable and plan for a thematic session at the 2025 ������World Congress in Seoul.

KPSA Korean Night and Recognition Reception for ������WC2023 Session Chairs

The KPSA Korean Night and Recognition Reception for the 2023 ������Session Chairs was held at the Hotel Modero to celebrate the contributions of the Research Committee (RC) Session Chairs to the success of the 2023 ������World Congress. The evening began with speeches from Program Co-chair Euiyoung Kim, ������President-Elect Pablo Oñate, the Korean Ambassador to Argentina Lee Yong Soo, and KPSA President Ajin Choi. The reception included a wine-tasting session and was attended by ������Executive Committee members, WC2023 RC session chairs, ������Secretariat and guests.

The event was sponsored by the KPSA, Jaeho Song (Member of the National Assembly of Korea), and the Local Organizing Committee of the 2025 ������World Congress in Seoul.
 

Pablo Oñate Becomes President of IPSA

Pablo Oñate (Spain), who was elected President-Elect by the ������Council in 2021, officially became the new President of ������on 18 July, following the election of the President-Elect Yuko Kasuya (Japan) by the Council at the 2023 ������World Congress in Buenos Aires. Succeeding Dianne Pinderhughes (United States), Prof. Oñate will serve a two-year term from 2023 to 2025. Prof. Oñate is the Chair of Political Science at the University of Valencia. His primary field of research is comparative politics (representation and parliamentary elites) and, secondarily, elections and electoral behaviour. He is the author and editor of several books and journal articles on these topics. He served as Secretary-General of the Spanish Political Science Association (2005-2013) and as Chair of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the ������22nd World Congress in Madrid. 

Elected President of the European Confederation of Political Science Associations (2014 and 2016), he has also worked for several organizations in the international field (in several Central and Latin-American countries, as well as Bosnia-Herzegovina and Myanmar) dealing with democratization, institutional reform and electoral systems.

On behalf of ������and the global political science community, we congratulate Prof. Oñate on becoming the 27th ������President.

Photo (left to right): ������President-Elect Yuko Kasuya, ������President Pablo Oñate, ������Past President Dianne Pinderhughes and ������Executive Director Kim Fontaine-Skronski

 

The Council Elects Yuko Kasuya as IPSA’s President-Elect

The  ������Council, the Association’s highest decision-making body, has elected Yuko Kasuya (Japan) as the new President-Elect. Prof. Kasuya will serve a two-year term as President-Elect and will become President at the 2025 ������World Congress in Seoul, South Korea. Prof. Kasuya is Professor at the Department of Political Science at the Faculty of Law of Keio University, Tokyo, Japan. Her primary research field is comparative politics, with a particular focus on regime transition, political institutions, Southeast Asia, especially the Philippines, as well as East Asia, particularly Japan. She is currently engaged in research examining democratic backsliding, polarization, and disinformation. She has published two single-authored books, seven edited volumes, and numerous articles both in English and Japanese. She holds a Ph.D. in International Affairs from the University of California, San Diego, an M.A. in Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies in the Netherlands, and a B.A. in Law from Keio University. 

She was a member of the ������Executive Committee from 2016 to 2018. She also served as ������Vice-President from 2018 to 2021. Prof. Kasuya currently serves as President of the Japan Association of Comparative Politics and as Director of the V-Dem East Asia Regional Center.

We warmly welcome Prof. Kasuya back to the ������Executive Committee and congratulate her on her new position.

Photo (left to right): ������President-Elect Yuko Kasuya and ������President Pablo Oñate 

������and ECPR Formalize their Cooperation 

We are pleased to announce that ������and the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) have signed an agreement to strengthen their academic cooperation. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by ������President Pablo Oñate and ECPR Vice-Chair Petra Meier on 18 July at the 2023 ������World Congress in Buenos Aires, following a meeting with the ������and ECPR leadership. The meeting was attended by ������Past President Dianne Pinderhughes, ������Executive Director Kim Fontaine-Skronski, and ECPR Executive Committee member Daniela Irrera.

The MoU will establish an official bilateral agreement between the two associations, allowing them to further their long-standing collaboration on a number of fronts. The bilateral agreement will allow ������and ECPR to organize academic panels at each other’s main events (the ������World Congress of Political Science and the ECPR General Conference). 

Photo (left to right): ������Executive Director Kim Fontaine-Skronski, ������Past President Dianne Pinderhughes, ������President Pablo Oñate, ECPR Vice-Chair Petra Meier and ECPR Executive Committee member Daniela Irrera

������and AECPA to Launch a New Summer School on Political Communication Methods in 2024

������is expanding its Summer School program with a new offering on Political Communication Methods. The IPSA-AECPA Summer School on Political Communication Methods will be launched in 2024 in collaboration with the Spanish Association of Political and Administrative Science (AECPA).

The new summer school was announced after a meeting and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ������President Pablo Oñate and AECPA President Juan Montabes at the 2023 ������World Congress in Buenos Aires on 18 July. The meeting was also attended by ������Past President Dianne Pinderhughes, ������Executive Director Kim Fontaine-Skronski, ������Summer Schools Coordinator (2021-2023) Óscar Luengo and other AECPA representatives. The MoU formalizes the partnership between ������and AECPA and sets the framework for the Summer School’s development.

The IPSA-AECPA Summer School on Political Communication Methods will join two other new summer schools that ������has established in 2023 with prestigious European academic institutions: the IPSA-Poznań Summer School for Methods in Political Science, New Media and Communication Research (Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland) and the Mostar Summer School on Methods (University of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Photo (left to right): AECPA team, AECPA President Juan Montabes, ������Past President Dianne Pinderhughes, ������President Pablo Oñate, ������Executive Director Kim Fontaine-Skronski, ������Summer Schools Coordinator Óscar Luengo (2021-2023), Jesús Tovar Mendoza (WC2023 LOC Special Guest Member)
 

IPSA-ISA Leadership Meeting

������and the International Studies Association (ISA) leadership met at the 2023 ������World Congress in Buenos Aires on 18 July. The meeting was attended by ������President Pablo Oñate, ������Past President Dianne Pinderhughes, ������Executive Director Kim Fontaine-Skronski and ISA President-Elect Marijke Breuning.

The purpose of the meeting was to promote cooperation and dialogue between the two leading academic organizations in political science and international studies. Participants discussed several topics of mutual interest, such as the challenges and opportunities of interdisciplinary research and the promotion of diversity and inclusion in the academic community. Having signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2021 to enhance their academic cooperation, both associations are dedicated to further strengthening their collaboration on several fronts.

Photo (left to right): ������Executive Director Kim Fontaine-Skronski, ������Past President Dianne Pinderhughes, ISA President-Elect Marijke Breuning and ������President Pablo Oñate

 

Plenary Session: Challenges and Opportunities for a Post-Pandemic Political Science

The third plenary session was introduced by Program Co-chair Euiyoung Kim. He described the boundaries between teaching and research as significant issues in the field of political science. He then invited the keynote speaker, Dr. John Ishiyama, University Distinguished Research Professor at the University of North Texas, former President of the American Political Science Association (APSA), and a leading figure in this topic, to take the stage.

In his plenary, Prof. Ishiyama outlined the key challenges, trends, and opportunities facing the field of political science in the aftermath of the global pandemic. He emphasized the crucial role of political science education in addressing the current global challenges to democracy and stressed the need to rethink and strengthen political science education at all levels, from primary to graduate education.

Prof. Ishiyama, a pioneer of the APSA Teaching and Learning Conference, shared his insights from years of creating and implementing teaching and learning curriculums. He particularly underscored the importance of promoting engaged citizenship through effective civic education and increased civic engagement among students. 

Photo (left to right): ������President Pablo Oñate, World Congress Program Co-chair Euiyoung Kim and Plenary Speaker John Ishiyama

Congress Theme Session: Transboundary Politics as Opportunity Structure: International Orders, Identities and Human Rights

������Vice-President Umut Korkut chaired the final Congress theme session of the 2023 ������World Congress entitled “Transboundary Politics as a Structure of Opportunity: International Orders, Identities, and Human Rights” with the participation of Yuko Kasuya (������President-Elect), Azul A. Aguiar-Aguilar (������EC member), Tarık Basbuğoğlu (Glasgow Caledonian University) and Anna Triandafyllidou (Toronto Metropolitan University).

The session focused on two main topics: the ontological insecurity of non-Western nations, especially Türkiye, towards the West and the US, and the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war on the field of political studies. The session explored how non-Western nations struggle to achieve a coherent sense of self that is accepted by the Western community, and how they feel inferior and threatened by the West’s support for their rivals. The session also examined how the Russian-Ukrainian war has challenged the conventional approaches to political studies and called for more attention to cross-border issues and conflicts. Panelists proposed and presented tools and strategies to understand and address these problems more effectively.
Photo (left to right): Azul A. Aguiar-Aguilar, Yuko Kasuya, Umut Korkut, Tarık Basbuğoğlu, Anna Triandafyllidou and Alpaslan Ozerdem

Meisel-Laponce Award - Lecture and Roundtable Discussion of International Trends in Political Science Publishing 

IPSR Co-editor Daniel Stockemer presented Dr. Niels Spierings, Associate Professor in Sociology at Radboud University, with the 2023 Meisel-Laponce Award for “Best Article in IPSR”. Following Stockemer’s introduction, Dr. Niels Spierings delivered a virtual award lecture and presented the findings of his article  .

Dr. Niels Spierings’ research examines the impact of the Arab uprisings on the desire for democracy in the Middle East and North Africa region. The award-winning paper uses the relatively new consequence-based theory of democratic attitudes, integrating the notion of deprivation. To test the expectations derived from this framework, the study analyzes data from 45 public opinion surveys conducted in 11 countries in the region between 2001 and 2014. It also conducts a systematic country-level case comparison. The results suggest that the desire for democracy declines mainly in countries where there are significant protests and initial political liberalization, but no substantial democratization (e.g., Egypt, Morocco), and that the absence of significant protests or initial reforms (e.g., Algeria, Yemen) “prevents” disillusionment. The session was followed by a Q&A session. 

Memory Activisms: An Opportunity to Re-envision Politics and Political Science

The Special Session “Memory Activisms: An Opportunity to Re-envision Politics and Political Science” focused on Baldosas por la memoria, an initiative developed by the organization Barrios X Memoria y Justicia. Baldosas are memorial paving stones decorated with colors and short descriptions. Produced continuously since 2006 according to an informally established protocol, they memorialize “the disappeared” and others murdered under the state terrorism practiced by the former Argentinian dictatorship (1976-1983). The roundtable began with presentations by political scientists who have studied the baldosas, followed by local activists reflecting on the politics of the baldosas, and additional panelists considering memory and activism. 
You can watch the full video of the session by .

Following the roundtable, participants were invited to join a special guided walking tour with the activists to view the baldosas. Accompanied by local activists Marisa Munczek, Gustavo Esteban Sales and bilingual translators, participants visited baldosas in situ in the nearby area of the Congress site. 

 

We wish to thank all participants for joining us for the ������World Congress Special Session on the baldosas por la memoria organized by the Research Committee 33 - The Study of Political Science as a Discipline and Barrios X Memoria y Justicia. We also would like to thank activists Marisa Munczek and Gustavo Sales for their knowledge, time, and generosity. We are also grateful to organizers and authors of  Dolores Amat, Terrell Carver and Paulo Ravecca, presenter Luis Escobedo, and Martin Rogard for his terrific job as translator.

Photo (left to right): Gustavo Sales, Marisa Munczek, Dolores Amat, Paulo Ravecca and Luis Escobedo

Photos from the special session "Memory Activisms: An Opportunity to Re-envision Politics and Political Science" and the guided walking tour on our.
 

 

In memory of Alicia Le Fur (06-05-45/20-07-23) a leading activist who cultivated and protected Memory and Justice on the sidewalks of Buenos Aires.

Photo: Mónica Hasenberg

 

 

 

 

 

 

IPSR Editors’ Café

The Editors’ Café session allowed ������World Congress participants to meet and talk with the co-editors of IPSA’s flagship journal, the International Political Science Review (IPSR). Co-editors, Theresa Reidy, Annika Hinze and Daniel Stockemer, advised students and early-career scholars alike on a wide range of topics. The session began with a short introduction to IPSR and was followed by a lively Q&A session. Participants asked questions on various topics, including the publication submission review process and timeline. IPSR also hosted a cocktail reception later that evening. The IPSR Co-editors were present to meet participants, publishers and guests.

������Council Elected the 27th Executive Committee

We are delighted to share the outcome of the election of the 27th Executive Committee (EC) held on 19 July 2023 at the ������World Congress of Political Science in Buenos Aires. We extend our warm congratulations to the 16 members who were elected by acclamation. We are also happy to announce that 56 percent of the ������Executive Committee elected members are women (9 out of 16). The new EC will be governing ������for the next two years. We are confident that their expertise, vision and dedication to the advancement of political science will foster a new era of progress and innovation within the Association. 


Photo (left to right, standing): Madalena Meyer Resende (Portugal),  Magdalena Musiał-Karg (Poland), Francesca Longo (Italy), Berk Esen (Türkiye), Serge Granger (Canada), Azul A. Aguiar-Aguilar (Mexico), Jesús Tovar (Mexico), Stephen Sawyer (France), Kgothatso Shai (South Africa),  Annika Hinze (United States), Mauro Calise (Italy), Emilia Palonen (Finland), Daniel Stockemer (Canada), Irasema Coronado (United States) and Hasret Dikici Bilgin (Türkiye)

Left to right, sitting: Florence Haegel (France), Anja Jetschke (Germany), Vanessa Elias de Oliveira (Brazil), Yuko Kasuya (Japan), Pablo Oñate (Spain), Dianne Pinderhughes (United States), Kim Fontaine-Skronski (Canada), Indrajit Roy (United Kingdom) and Keiichi Kubo (Japan)

Read more here.

 

 

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Plenary Session: 
Democracy in Latin America in the 21st Century - Lessons to the World

The final plenary session of the ������World Congress, “Democracy in Latin America in the 21st Century - Lessons for the World”, chaired by Angeles Rodríguez (Universidad Austral) explored Latin America’s democratic journey from its participation in the third wave of democracy in the 80s until the present. Julieta Suárez-Cao (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile) served as discussant for the session.

Distinguished experts in the field contributed to the discussion, including Gabriela Rodríguez Rial (University of Buenos Aires), Daniel Buquet (Instituto de Ciencia Política of the Universidad de la República, Uruguay, and ALACIP Secretary-General), Carlos Huneeus (Universidad de Chile), and Alberto Olvera (Universidad Veracruzana).

The session explored the state of democracy in Latin America, highlighted key insights regarding the region's democratic performance, and focused on the persistent challenge of inequality. This led to a discussion of how inequality and political crises have affected the stability and quality of democratic institutions in the region, using presidential elections as a case study.

During the session, important ideas were brought to light, including a study on the political evolution and future prospects of Latin American politics. The discussions underscored the necessity of tackling challenges related to democracy, ideological politics, and governmental changes in the region. The case of Chile was a focal point, examining democratic transitions, political reforms, and corporate influence in the economy. Moreover, there was a strong emphasis on the importance of citizen participation and democratization in both Chile and Uruguay.

 

Prize of the Foundation Mattei Dogan Award Lecture

The session began with the opening speech of ������EC member and World Congress 2025 Program Co-chair Irasema Coronado (Arizona State University), who introduced Joni Lovenduski (Professor Emerita at Birkbeck Collegeng’s College, London), the recipient of the 2023 Mattei Dogan Foundation Award.

In her virtual award lecture, Prof. Joni Lovenduski discussed the relevance of feminism in political science and the importance of achieving equality. She affirmed that feminism calls for all individuals to have the same basic rights, opportunities, and treatment regardless of gender. She stressed that feminist theory has contributed to political science by challenging traditional theories and methodologies that neglect women's perspectives. It exposes gender inequalities, power structures, and the interplay between politics and gender.

Prof. Joni Lovenduski discussed how feminist political scientists challenge male-dominated frameworks and expand political theories to include issues such as reproductive rights and gender-based violence. Despite its opponents, the ongoing exchange between feminists and other political scientists is primordial to progress and understanding politics.

About the Award

Every year, the ������Committee on Organization, Procedures, and Awards (COPA) selects a scholar of high international reputation in recognition of her/his contribution to the advancement of political science, with a particular focus on recognizing outstanding scholarship on comparative studies of political elites. The prize is funded by the Foundation Mattei Dogan.

 

Closing Ceremony

The Juan Pablo II Auditorium of the Universidad Católica Argentina hosted the Closing Ceremony of the 2023 ������World Congress of Political Science on 19 July. ������Executive Director Kim Fontaine-Skronski, who served as Master of Ceremony, thanked all participants, speakers and volunteers for their contributions to the successful event. She praised the efforts of the more than 110 on-site and virtual volunteers who were essential to the successful operation of the Congress.

The Congress was a great success, with over 3,094 registered participants from 102 countries presenting their research in over 80 sessions covering a wide range of topics. The Congress offered a rich and diverse program, with 2,829 papers, 647 panels (568 in person and 77 virtual), 4 plenary sessions, 12 special sessions, and 4 award sessions. The program covered the major sub-fields of political science, and the Research Committees organized 368 panels on their specific topics. In addition, more than 45% of the Congress participants were women.

Photo: Kim Fontaine-Skronski

Dr. Fontaine-Skronski then invited IPSA's Past President, Dianne Pinderhughes, to the stage to introduce the new President, Pablo Oñate. In her Closing Ceremony address, Dr. Pinderhughes highlighted the vibrant intellectual exchange that took place throughout the Congress. Participants demonstrated deep engagement, expressed strong interest in the topics discussed, and were excited to be present both at the Congress and in the beautiful city of Buenos Aires. In addition, Dr. Pinderhughes highlighted the concurrent governance taking place alongside the ������Congress. As the panels and sessions unfolded, the ������Council elected Yuko Kasuya as the new President-Elect and Pablo Oñate officially assumed the position of IPSA's new President after serving for two years as President-Elect.

Photo: Dianne Pinderhughes

President Pablo Oñate especially thanked the two Co-chairs of the Local Organizing Committee, Martín D'Alessandro and María Laura Perera Taricco, for their extraordinary efforts in making the Congress a resounding success. President Oñate enthusiastically proclaimed that the 2023 ������World Congress stands out as one of the best in the history of the Association. He also expressed his appreciation to the World Congress Program Co-chairs, Euiyoung Kim and Theresa Reidy, for their invaluable contributions and excellent work in shaping the Congress program.

Photo: Pablo Oñate

Next, ������World Congress Program Co-chairs Theresa Reidy and Euiyoung Kim took the stage. Dr. Reidy expressed her pleasure in creating the program for the 2023 World Congress. She thanked the ������World Congress team, the ������Secretariat, the Program Committee, the Executive Committee and the General Session Chairs for their hard work and support. Most of all, she thanked the delegates for their enthusiasm and inspiration throughout the Congress.

Photo (left to right): Kim Fontaine-Skronski, Theresa Reidy and Euiyoung Kim

The Co-chairs of the Local Organizing Committee María Laura Perera Taricco and Martín D'Alessandro expressed how honoured and privileged they felt to host the 2023 ������World Congress in Buenos Aires. They thanked ������for entrusting them with this responsibility and acknowledged the hard work of their LOC team and volunteers.

Photo: María Laura Perera Taricco and Martín D'Alessandro 

The next speaker was Hasret Dikici Bilgin, the Chair of the ������Committee on Organization, Procedures and Awards (COPA), to present the following ������awards: 

• The Francesco Kjellberg Award for Outstanding Papers Presented by New Scholars went to Leonard Hamza for his paper "Local Government Accountability, Oversight, and the Intervention Mechanism in South Africa";
• APSA-������Theodore J. Lowi First Book Award went to Fiona Feiang Shen-Bayh for her first book, "", published by Cambridge University Press in 2022;
• The Wilma Rule Award on Gender and Politics went to Mariana Gené and Carolina Glasserman for their paper "Informal Rules and Gendered Political Hierarchies: On the Experience of Women Deputies in the Argentine Congress";
• Finally, the Stein Rokkan Travel Grant Award went to Alexandros-Christos Gkotinakos.

Photo: Hasret Dikici Bilgin

The Co-chairs and the theme of the 2025 ������World Congress in Seoul, South Korea, were also announced at the Closing Ceremony. The 2025 Program Co-chairs, Irasema Coronado and Azul A. Aguiar-Aguilar, thanked all attendees for their active involvement in the conference. They highlighted the Congress' contribution to developing theories, disseminating empirical research, and strengthening academic networks. The 2025 Congress theme will be “Resisting Autocratization in Polarized Societies”. The Co-chairs encouraged ������delegates, especially undergraduate and graduate students to present their research at the next Congress.

Photo: Azul A. Aguiar-Aguilar and Irasema Coronado

Euiyoung Kim and Ajin Choi, the Co-chairs of the 2025 ������World Congress Local Organizing Committee (LOC), stated their objectives and their vision for hosting the next World Congress. The new LOC has already been formed, consisting of five co-chairs, a group of honorary chairs and a board of advisors. Inspired by the cooperation of different Latin American associations in the 2023 Local Organizing Committee, the 2025 LOC will also collaborate with other associations in the region, including Japan and Taiwan. A step further, scholars from the Global South will also be invited as special advising members of the LOC.

Photo: Ajin Choi and Euiyoung Kim 

The 2025 LOC address was followed by the ceremonial passing of the ������Congress Flag, symbolizing the transfer of duties and responsibilities from the current LOC, represented by the LOC Co-chairs Martín D'Alessandro and María Laura Perera Taricco, to the next one, represented by the Korean LOC Co-chairs Euiyoung Kim and Ajin Choi with the participation of ������Past President Dianne Pinderhughes and ������President Pablo Oñate.

Photo (left to right): Martín D'Alessandro, Dianne Pinderhughes, María Laura Perera Taricco, Ajin Choi, Euiyoung Kim and Pablo Oñate

 

Photo (left): 110 on-site and virtual volunteers were essential to the success of the convention. We thank our amazing volunteers for their contributions.

The Closing Ceremony concluded with two spectacular musical performances that showcased the diversity and richness of both the Argentinian and Korean cultures. The first performance, a cross-cultural Tango featuring the collaboration of Korean and Argentinian dancers and musicians, fascinated the audience.

 

 

The second was a traditional Korean music performance called Samul nori which was arranged by the Embassy of South Korea in Buenos Aires. The musicians played four different instruments, including two different gongs and two drums. They created a lively and energetic sound that accompanied the dancers, who wore traditional Korean clothing. The music performances were followed by a cocktail reception.