polis: a collective blog about cities worldwide

February Conferences in Dakar and Pune

by Katia Savchuk

If you find yourself in India or Senegal in early February, stop by one of two international urban conferences.

There are five days left to register for the 2011 World Social Forum, which will take place in Dakar from February 6 to 11. In its tenth year, the forum brings together civil-society organizations, grassroots groups and social movements "opposed to neo-liberalism and a world dominated by capital or by any form of imperialism" for networking and democratic debate. This year's event will emphasize the situation of Africa and the African Diaspora and building relationships between groups from the global South, according to the (extensive) concept note. One group that will be in attendance, the International Alliance of Inhabitants, is looking for English-speaking translators

On the academic side, you can join an expected 1800 delegates at the International Conference on Healthy Cities: Perspective of Asian Concerns, hosted by the Dr. B. N. College of Architecture from February 3-5, 2011. Held in Pune, India's mecca of higher education, the conference aims to define healthy urban environments and craft a vision for more livable cities, with an emphasis on India and Asia. Register here.

Credits: Conference logos from the World Social Forum and the Healthy City conference websites.