7th International Conference of the Group for Social Engagement Studies

Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory, University of Belgrade

Horizons of Engagement

28-30 May 2020

Belgrade

The relation between engagement and horizons is fraught with tensions. If we understand
engagement as a social practice based on reflection on values, norms and rules of one’s
own social reality and horizon as projections and representations of desired reality, it
follows that engagement also needs forms of imagination, utopia and fictions. The aim of
this conference is to think through this relation and argue that horizons of engagement are
constitutive elements of critical thinking of a given social regime and reflection regarding
their potential alternative. Furthermore, we argue that such a thought plays a significant
role in delegitimizing ossified, well-nigh assumed social structures, fraught with
domination, as well as it encourages more or less radical experimentation with existing
institutions.

Given the polysemy of the relation between horizons and engagement, we aim for
contributions that thematize and problematize such a relation. Do horizons signify
boundaries of a realized ideal or something that necessarily lies beyond any
materialization? Do representations of reality to which we aspire provide an ethical
dimension to political projects, projections and anticipations? In other words, does social
engagement also have to be ethical, lest politics be reduced to mere calculus? If horizons
are something yet to be achieved, does engagement then not assume some form of
imagination, utopia, perhaps even fiction?

Our current political crisis with growing authoritarianism and nationalism in the whole
world, urges us to think of different vocabularies and languages as a way to activate old
unaccomplished visions that can function in new social circumstances. We seek to create
new registers, visions and paths as a way to respond to the pressures of the growing
inequalities in the world. The overall ambition of the conference is to present both
empirical studies and theoretical inquiries that would contribute to the ongoing
discussions on the role of engagement in the 21st century.

The crucial questions we would like to place at the heart of this conference are as
follows:

 Is (social) engagement without a vision possible? What does a good society

include, and must visions of it be regulatory determining for actual social
 practices? Is it sufficient to focus on ‘concrete’ quotidian questions, avoiding
treating social reality as a whole?
 Do we need syncretic concepts such as equaliberty (Balibar) and how do they
strengthen reflection on values, norms and rules? What ethical premises lie at the
foundation of projected horizons and how do they determine and direct social
engagement?
 Is it possible to create a desired social reality through democratic means of
action? Crucially, is a non-violent revolution as a leap toward desired reality
possible? What is the connection between various forms of social and
governmental order and projections – does democracy necessarily and always
have a role to play?
 Are the horizons of engagement necessarily to be found in the past, in already
well-worn paths? If this is not the case, what are the attributes of the new register
and in what narratives do they manifest? Finally, what new paths are possible
today?

Confirmed keynote speakers:

Mona Lilja, University of Gothenburg

Alisse Waterston, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York

Organization of the Conference

The Conference is organized by the Group for Social Engagement Studies at the Institute
of Philosophy and Social Theory at the University of Belgrade

Application Procedure
Conference applications should be sent via e-mail to the following address
ifdt.conference@instifdt.bg.ac.rs no later than March 20th 2020.

The official language of the conference is English. Presentation formats include

individual presentation that will be grouped by thematic content. Individual presentations
should not exceed 20 minutes.

We kindly ask you to put the following title in your email subject: “APP last name of the
applicant”. The complete proposal in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format (Times New Romans,
12) needs to contain:
 Abstract (up to 500 words) including title and key words
  Short bio (up to 200 words) including name and surname, affiliation and contact
e-mail of the author

There is no registration fee. The Program Committee of the conference will select the
presenters based on the submitted abstracts and notify everyone by April 1st 2020.

Important Dates:
Application deadline: March 20th 2020
Notification of acceptance: April 1st 2020
Conference Dates: May 28-30th 2020

Program Committee:
Gazela Pudar Draško, Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory, University of Belgrade
Andrea Perunović, Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory, University of Belgrade
Djurdja Trajković, Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory, University of Belgrade
Anthony Faramelli, Goldmisths, University of London
Roberto Navarette Alonso, Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Eric Fassin, University Paris 8
Klaus Wiegerling, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie