The Asia Research Institute of the National University of Singapore, together with the Centre for Social Change Research of the Queensland University of Technology, wish to call for papers for a symposium on alternative politics, society and culture in Singapore.

The symposium is entitled “Paths Not Taken: The False Spring of Political Pluralism in Postwar Singapore” and will examine alternative political, social and cultural movements and activities in Singapore during its first decades of self-government and independence. The focus is on the projects, proposals and movements which operated before, outside of or in opposition to the “mainstream” identified with the ruling People’s Action Party and former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

The symposium will be held in Singapore on 14-15 July 2005. Proposals (in English) including a 250-word abstract, 5 lines of personal biography and contact details (email & postal address, tel & fax) should be submitted to lynn@nus.edu.sg by 31 January 2004 using the attached form found on the website.

Completed papers (not more than 5,000 words) will be expected by 30 April 2005. The Organisers would also like to request for first right of refusal of papers presented for possible inclusion in an edited book after the symposium.

Limited funding support for accommodation and travel to Singapore will be available for presenters.