“Internationalizing”
the SHCY
Mona Gleason
What might it mean to make the Society for the History
of Childhood and Youth more “international?” The desire
to do so was clearly indicated on a number of responses to the Baltimore
conference survey. Responses indicated that widening the focus of the
Society – particularly in terms of attracting scholars and scholarship
from around the world – would only strengthen an already vibrant
collective. I surveyed a number of colleagues outside the United States
and asked them what they would like to see the Society pursue in this
regard. From specific, practical suggestions to general support, international
members had some useful things to say about making the SHCY an international
organization.
Opportunities for International Collaboration
A session at the Baltimore conference entitled “Beyond the Century
of the Child”: Collaborations between Historians and Developmental
Psychologists,” was emblematic of the power of disciplinary collaboration
to foster international connections. Session speaker Willem Koops, Utrecht
University, The Netherlands, and President of the European
Society for Developmental Psychology (ESDP), suggests that the participation
of SHCY members at the next biennial conference of the ESDP in the Canary
Islands in 2005 might be a fruitful place to start. He also indicated
a desire to propose a special issue of the European Journal on the history
of childhood in collaboration with SHCY members. David Pomfret, based
in China at the University of Hong Kong, likewise encourages members
of the SHCY to “take advantage of the groundswell of interest
in this subject in Europe.” David also indicated the desire to
host the SHCY conference in Hong Kong in the future. Taking the conference
outside the United States and North American would be an exciting opportunity
to demonstrate our commitment to internationalization.
Act Locally, Think Globally
A number of respondents to my query regarding the SHCY’s international
dimensions suggested making a conscious effort to tailor conference
sessions to a spectrum of research contexts. Entire sessions could be
devoted to particular countries, for example. Another respondent suggested
that each session could strive to have representation from at least
two countries. While this might prove trying for conference organizers
in these early days of the Society, more advertising and pressure on
participants to suggest international panels might bring fruitful results.
A third idea revolved around generating international “subcommittees”
or “chapters” of the SHCY. A chapter would be firmly under
the umbrella of the larger Society, but would be responsible for recruiting
new members, supporting panels at conferences, fostering collaboration
across the Society, and contributing news to our newsletters. It might
even be feasible for chapter members to host SHCY conferences on a revolving
basis.
Our desire to continue to support the internationalization
of the SHCY bodes well for the future of the organization. Supporting
scholars and scholarship around the world should be an important goal.
Realizing this goal can only enrich an already energized field.
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