Calling all west coast BC Islanders and those interested in the study of islands! This is a first call for proposals to participate in conference/forum/dialogue on the complex range of environmental, socio-cultural, and economic challenges that are the daily reality for island communities on West Coast Canada, USA, and elsewhere. Through our invitation we offer a place and time to study, think, discuss, disseminate, hope, vision, and explore islands on their/our own terms.

We are looking for participation from scholars, intellectuals, leaders, community members, activists, and community organisations who:

• have a passion for island communities and sustainability or the study of islands and islanders;

• want to learn from other island experiences and overcome challenges associated with islands; and

• wish to network with like-minded and island focused individuals, including members or leaders of island communities (private enterprise, government, community groups, et cetera).

Suggested themes for proposals (not restrictive):
A. Theorising Island and Archipelagos: Island identity;
B. Island Natural and Social History;
C. Island Governance;
D. Island Energies and Environments;
E. Island Cultures and Communities;
F. Island Economies;
G. ISISA: The International Small Island Studies Association will have a panel discussion to share the history and context of how the ISISA sees island studies. We are very pleased to have this conference component.

We are open to a wide range of participation/presentations from poster sessions, papers, panels, performances, displays, readers, theatre, etc. Please submit a 300-word abstract, no later than Nov. 30, 2012, that includes your name, a brief bio, contact information, as well as your proposed topic and preferred format for presentation to: info@islandstudiesconference2013.org.

For questions please call Gloria Filax at 1-866-213-0941 (or 1-250-247-8953 outside Canada and USA), or Fay Weller at 1-250-247-8120.