World Congress

ALARA World Congresses are held every 2-3 years to provide a global forum for people to meet to develop concepts, ideas and possibilities, exchange of experiences, ideas, and reflection on where we are 'at' in our thinking and practice, and to get to know each other and subsequently further develop networks and collaboration. Congresses are usually presented in alliance with a related institution or network and also, since 1997, with the international PAR community network.

The World Congress 2010 will be held in Melbourne Australia 6-9th September 2010, with 2 pre-conference skill-sharing days beforehand. The Conference theme is Participatory Action Research and Action Learning: Appreciating our Pasts, Comprehending our Presents, Prefiguring our Futures. See Third Announcement below, which includes the Call for Abstracts. For more details , check World Congress 2010 on the top navigation bar. You can register today at http://events.alara.net.au/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=13 .

The Congress will be strong on issue-focused and context-specific discussion and conversation. Whilst creating space for plenary talks/panels and the presentation of formal papers, we are also looking forward to receiving proposals/abstracts for workshops, poster sessions or discussion groups based on brief ‘catalyst papers'. Presentation/discussion sessions at the Congress will normally be of 1 1/2 hours duration (for up to three paper presentations or a full workshop; poster sessions will be organised during lunch breaks).

The 2006 7th World Congress in the Netherlands focused on standards and ethics in participatory research practices. The Congress was hosted by the University of Groningen.

In 2003, the World Congress  was held in Pretoria, South Africa, with the theme 'Learning Partners in Action.' 

2000 - Ballarat, Australia 'Reconciliation and Renewal - Through Collaborative Learning, Research and Action,' in conjunction with the 9th PAR World Congress, 10 - 13 September, at the University of Ballarat, Victoria

1997 - Cartagena, Colombia - 'Convergence in Space and Time'
in conjunction with the 8th PAR World Congress

1994 - Bath, United Kingdom - 'Accounting for Ourselves'

1992 - Brisbane, Australia - 'Transforming Tomorrow Today'

1990 - Brisbane, Australia - 'Action Learning for Improved Performance'