Call for papers
Rationale Behind the Conference
ICOAH 2025 brings together scholars, artists, and changemakers from across the globe to engage in transformative dialogue on the intersections of arts, humanities, and global challenges. With a remarkable legacy of over 11 years, the conference has connected 12,500+ participants from 150+ countries and collaborated with 45+ universities, solidifying its reputation as a leading platform for knowledge exchange and innovation. In an era marked by polarization and complexity, ICOAH 2025 serves as a unifying space for exploring diverse perspectives, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and envisioning sustainable solutions. By convening thought leaders and creative minds, the conference aspires to inspire meaningful contributions that transcend boundaries, enhance cultural understanding, and drive collective progress toward a thriving global community. ICOAH 2025 invites participants to reimagine community building, develop actionable strategies for global challenges, and envision futures that honor humanity and the planet.
Purpose of ICOAH 2025
ICOAH 2025, themed “Cornerstones of Belonging: Building Sustainable Communities”, aims to ignite transformative dialogue and action by addressing the critical question of how arts and humanities can contribute to creating inclusive, resilient, and thriving societies. This year’s conference serves as a platform to explore diverse perspectives, foster meaningful connections, and inspire innovative solutions for some of today’s most pressing global challenges. Through a multidisciplinary lens, ICOAH 2025 delves into themes such as belonging and identity, the role of arts in healing and resilience, and sustainable practices rooted in cultural heritage and environmental stewardship. By amplifying cultural narratives, embracing interdisciplinary collaboration, and incorporating indigenous and creative approaches, the conference aspires to shape inclusive futures that celebrate care, respect, and collective well-being.
What do we aim for?
- Promote Inclusive Practices
- Foster Global Collaboration
- Encourage Collaborative and Sustainable Solutions
- Drive Innovation and Advocacy
- Promote Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Support Creative Economies and enhanced Knowledge Sharing
Dive into our conference tracks to shape the future together
01
Foundations of Belonging: Identity, Place, Cultural Narratives, and Heritage
- Examining how cultural narratives, traditions, and collective histories shape community identity and belonging
- Exploring spatial dimensions of community life, from neighborhoods to cultural centers, that foster recognition, trust, and rootedness
- Investigating oral histories and intangible cultural heritage as anchors of long-term community resilience
02
Community-Engaged Artistic Interventions: Building Shared Values and Collaborative Futures
- Highlighting arts-based initiatives that involve community members as co-creators, amplifying marginalized voices and collective agency
- Studying participatory festivals, projects, and performances that foster dialogue, empathy, and reciprocal understanding
- Identifying strategies to transform social tensions into cohesive visions of shared purpose and future-making
03
Artistic Practices in Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
- Exploring the intersection of creative practice, ecological thinking, and climate action
- Encouraging responsible resource use and environmental care through innovative artistic approaches
- Integrating ecological ethics into community-based art, design, and cultural production
04
Healing, Resilience, and Social Cohesion Through Arts and Humanities
- Examining creative expression’s role in addressing trauma, conflict, and social fragmentation
- Highlighting community-based arts programs that build trust, empathy, and collective support networks
- Employing performances, visual arts, and humanities scholarship to strengthen social fabrics and communal well-being
05
Transdisciplinary Pathways to Sustainable Communities
- Showcasing initiatives linking arts, humanities, sciences, and policy to address shared challenges
- Presenting collaborations that cross disciplinary, cultural, and geopolitical boundaries
- Offering case studies that bridge academic, activist, and practitioner communities for transformative solutions
06
Technologies of Connection: Ethics, Access, and Inclusive Design
- Understanding how digital platforms and AI-driven tools affect equity, representation, and meaningful connection
- Ensuring accessible, respectful, and inclusive online environments that support belonging
- Aligning technological innovations with ethical standards, cultural priorities, and local needs
07
Creative Economies, Equitable Policies, and Sustainable Development
- Investigating cultural production and policymaking as drivers of socioeconomic resilience and equity
- Developing cultural policies that strengthen community stewardship and broaden participation
- Integrating artistic initiatives into holistic strategies for social, environmental, and economic sustainability
08
Decolonizing Community Building: Local Knowledge, Indigenous Perspectives, and Ethical Practices
- Valuing indigenous, local, and marginalized knowledge systems in shaping inclusive communities
- Implementing decision-making processes that respect multiple worldviews and cultural priorities
- Addressing historical injustices and establishing fair, sustainable frameworks for future community life
Send your Abstract Now!
Submission deadline
Date: 22nd May 2025
You are cordially invited to submit your abstract on or before the Deadline in accordance with the abstract guidelines provided. The conference offers a variety of registration packages, each replete with numerous benefits. Furthermore, you have the flexibility to choose your preferred presentation mode. Notably, presentation awards constitute a pivotal aspect of the conference. A distinguished panel of academic experts will evaluate conference presenters during the conference, and the most outstanding presenters will be honored at the awards ceremony.
