After years of neglect, the 1970s have recently entered the array of academic interest. Researchers from universities in the Netherlands, Germany and the US are therefore building an international research network, “Consigning the 1970s to History. A Global Perspective”, that aims at synthesizing and integrating the existing, and sometimes remarkably diverging analyses of the 1970s, and developing a global perspective on a decade that is still often discussed in a politicized and even emotional way. In November 2011, the new network convened for its first conference at Boston University, where it discussed “The Radical Decade in Global Perspective”. On 19-20 April 2013, Münster University will host the second conference, on “The Origins and Impact of Détente”. In a two-day program participants will discuss topics such as: - debates in Europe and the US about Détente; - the political and socio-cultural impact of Détente; - Grassroots Détente, protest movements and the rise of human rights; - New concepts for a New International Order; and - The End of Détente and its legacies. Original work on these and related themes by political, economic, social, and cultural historians, social scientists and other researchers focusing on the 1970s is welcome. If you would like to present a paper (max 30 minutes), please send an abstract in English (max 300 words), including a suitable title and a short biography by 31 December 2012 to dr. Jacco Pekelder (Utrecht University) j.pekelder@uu.nl, who is also available for any questions you might have. Please note that the working language is English. We are looking forward to your contributions.