Message from the ISA President

Dear Colleagues and Friends,Members of the international community of sociologists!

Your largest worldwide association, the International Sociological Association (ISA) will be hosting its next Congress in Durban, South Africa in July 2006. For the first time in ISA’s history we are inviting sociologists the world over to Africa, the great continent torn between the dramatic legacies of the past, the calamities of the present, and the promise of revival and a bright future.Where else on Earth could we better ponder this Congress’ principal theme – “The Quality of Social Existence in a Globalising World”? Where else could we experience and observe so clearly the whole spectrum of human fate, stretching tenuously between the tragedy of human degradation and the hope of dignified, sustainable development of human potential?

What – as sociologists – can we possibly do for Africa to help it move toward a higher and nobler quality of existence? Our professional duty is to mobilize all our intellectual capital: to think, to diagnose, to explain, to draw scenarios for the future, and to provide some guidance on how to get there from here.We have no power in the traditional sense, but we do have the power of sociological imagination, which we cannot squander.

Bring your best ideas to Durban. Share them with thousands of other sociologists from various countries around the globe. Find responsive audiences and sympathetic critics. Build networks for future research, make friendships, and establish bonds of cooperation and trust spanning all continents and state borders. Browse through the book exhibitions. Sip coffee at the cafes. And in the breathers between the myriad sessions, experience Africa in all its dimensions – exotic beauty and challenging social issues, the darkness and brightness of life-worlds.We shall do our best to provide you with a highly valuable and fruitful intellectual experience, as well as a most attractive visit in Durban.

We do look forward to seeing you a year or so from now. Please consider yourself very cordially and warmly invited to the International Sociological Association’s 2006 World Congress of Sociology!

Professor Piotr Sztompka
President: International Sociological Association

Message from the Chairman of the LOC

The International Sociological Association is one of the largest and most respected scientific organizations in the world. It has received widespread recognition and its membership lists over the years reflects the who’s who of
international sociological endeavor. Since 1950 the ISA has been hosting world congresses every four years bringing together the most eminent social scientists of the day. The extent of the fields and sub-fields covered by the ISA are evidenced by its 53 Research Committees, 3 Working Groups and 3 Thematic Groups within
which the work of the ISA takes place.

In hosting the 16th World Congress of Sociology in Durban, for the first time on the African continent, the Local Organising Committee is particularly keen to make the event a special and memorable one. The theme ‘The Quality Of Social Existence in a Globalising World’ offers sociologists, social scientists, leaders of civil society, government, opinion makers and the media the opportunity to reflect on this universally relevant subject and to do so with the backdrop of a society in rapid transition. All participants are bound to gain from participating in this exciting academic event which is rooted in the critical interrogation of our social context.

Not only will the planned sessions prove to be vibrant and intellectually stimulating, they will also encompass robust debates with a range of social actors. The social events are planned to reflect the multiculturalism inherent in our region and the pre and post congress tours are being planned around areas of interest to the sociological community. These will be combine d with a whole range of cost-effective tourist and holiday opportunities.

The opening ceremony promises to be a majestic occasion resplendent with African, Indian and Western song and dance. And the closing function on the shores of the Indian Ocean will also prove to be an unforgettable experience.

The Local Organising Committee looks forward to welcoming you in Durban where you will have a truly South African experience.

Professor Dasarath Chetty
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee

Message from the ISA Vice-President, Programme

The theme for the XVI ISA World Congress of Sociology is: "The Quality of Social Existence in a Globalising World".

With such a theme as its navigating principle, the Programme Committee is working hard to organize a number of exciting symposia for the semi-plenary morning sessions that will be of interest to the Association's members, research committees, thematic and working groups and national associations. Given also, the historic decision to hold such a Congress in Africa for the first time, a number of exciting sessions that raise continental issues of global concern are being finalized.

One of the most striking features of the Committee's experience was the enthusiastic support and ideas that have been received from the general membership as regards themes, sub-themes and special-sessions for the
Congress.We thank you for that and we shall try and keep the dialogue going until the 12th hour.

What is pertinent now is to move on to the second cycle of our work. To do this we need to make you aware of the following approved deadlines and to also ask you to start responding with the same energy as in the past.

On behalf of the Programme Committee of the ISA.

Professor Ari Sitas
ISA Vice-President, Programme