Statement Of Purpose

The main activity of the IWSF consists of annual international conferences wherein a theme related to Iranian women is approached through scholarly presentations, art exhibitions, and artistic or dramatic performances. The history of Iran has consisted, for the most part, of male-dominated narratives and accounts of men's exploits and achievements. IWSF attempts to offer a different perspective on Iran's history by protecting, preserving and propagating the works of Iranian women. Since 1990, the IWSF has conducted annual conferences in various cities around the world. At these gatherings, academics and professionals interested in issues related to Iranian women congregate to share the result of their research, to celebrate the artistic accomplishments of Iranian women, and to exchange ideas and plans for the future.

The IWSF publishes the proceedings of its annual conferences in the Journal of the IWSF in which works by and about Iranian women are collected annually.

The Fourteen International IWSF Conference - June 2003- London

IWSF -- founded as a non-profit organisation in 1990 -- promotes research on different aspects of life for Iranian women both in Iran and outside the country. Each year a major international conference is organised and hosted by Iranian women in one of the European countries, the United States or Canada in association with the IWSF founder and chairperson, Golnaz Amin. The last thirteen conferences have been a huge success and have attracted academics, writers, artists, and filmmakers from Iran and all around the world.

Each year, the Foundation invites researchers, academics and activists - whose area of work concerns women, women's movement and feminism - to send abstracts of their papers on the main theme of the conference. A committee will choose some of these abstracts against set criteria and on the basis of their relevance to the main topic of the conference. We will then send a formal invitation to the selected speakers and are prepared to cover travel and accommodation costs. The Foundation is also seeking Iranian artists based in the UK to perform, exhibit or show their work at the conference. Those wishing to submit an oral paper, stage a cultural programme (play, concert, dance, poetry reading, etc.) or exhibit their artworks (painting, photography, sculpture, instillation, video art, etc.) should contact us. However, as this is a non-profit organisation, we are unable to offer any payment to artists wishing to present their work.

Deadline for submission of abstracts is 20th December 2002, and all applicants will be contacted by the end of January 2003.

The Ninth International Conference of The Iranian Women's Studies Foundation (IWSF) will be held on June 26-28, 1998 in Washington, DC, U.S.A. Based on the presented suggestions, *The Iranian Woman and Modernity* was selected as the topic of this year's conference.

The IWSF is inviting all researchers who have a paper related to this topic to submit an abstract to the Local Organizing Committee for consideration, no later than November 15th, 1997. Furthermore, the IWSF calls on all individuals who are interested in participating in debates and discussions surrounding this topic to attend the Conference.

The following are some of possible subjects that have been suggested:

• Cultural differences between the two generations (in Iran and abroad)
• Internalization of patriarchal values and its destructive effect on women's relations
• Heterosexuality and homosexuality
• Various manifestations of patriarchal values
• Social reaction to the women in positions of power
• Modernity and women in the third world

After reviewing the submitted abstracts and reaching a final decision, the local organizing committee will contact each individual.

For further information regarding location of the Conference and registration please refer to future IWSF announcements in the media.

Local Organizing Committee
IWSF Ninth International Conference

IWSF
P.O. Box 42653
Washington, DC 20015
(202)363-8110