Australian workers and anti-colonialism symposium: Call for papers
Black and white photograph of a crane, high above a cityscape, with a banner saying, "Moratorium for Black Rights" hanging off it
Two keynote speakers University of Sydney’s Professor Ann Curthoys, and University of Newcastle’s Emeritus Professor John Maynard, will present at the “Imperialism and its agents must be destroyed”: Australian Workers and Anti-Colonialism in the twentieth century symposium.
The Australian working-class movement has a mixed history of internationalism and solidarity which, on one hand, supported the White Australia Policy and the deportation of South Sea Island labourers in the 1900s yet, on the other, participated in global and regional alliances that undermined networks of racial exclusion and control.
February’s 2022 symposium aims to contribute to the body of work mapping the contours of this troubling relationship and welcomes papers on topics such as, but not limited to:
- Solidarity campaigns with, and connections between, workers abroad, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.
- Relationships between ‘white’ workers and recent migrants.
- The Australian working class and international organisations.
- The far left and the politics of anti-colonialism.
- Movements against wars of imperialism (from the Boer to Iraq Wars).
- The struggles of colonised peoples within Australia.
Abstracts of 250 words should be submitted via email to to Jon Piccini by 30 August.
The symposium is scheduled for 3-4 February 2020, online (via Zoom).
Event Information
- Date: This event was held on Wednesday 4 August 2021
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.