This year's conference theme is Human Securities in the Asia Pacific Region. Papers are welcome that directly address this theme, as well as on a wide variety of topics (see the APSA web page for more information about the various thematic sessions). We also invite proposals for panels on topics that may not fit in the prescribed session categories.

Human security has become an increasingly important issue across the Asia-Pacific region. Concerns relate to the desire to build societies where people can live in a decent social environment and with a high quality of life. So, too, is there a wish to live free from fear in the form of political, economic, and natural threats. Among the most palpable of these worries include war, personal violence, terrorism, drug and people trafficking, the illicit trade of small arms, unfair labor practices, environmental pollution, and disasters such as typhoons and tsunami.

Many of these threats have increased in recent years and, because they show no respect for national borders, inevitably create logistical, administrative, political, economic and moral problems for many nations and peoples across the Asia-Pacific region.

Issues such as these have become one of the new foci of social science research and in particular many sociological communities have begun probing the connections and asking the deeper questions relating to human security.

Our aim, in exploring these topics, is to promote dialogue about Human Security, as well advance policy solutions and produce positive outcomes, internationally, regionally and nationally.

We look forward to receiving your abstract and having you in attendance in Bangkok in December 2005. Detailed information about APSA, the conference, registration procedures etc. can be found at the following web address.