CfP: Sejiwa: The Spirit of Bandung at 70 – A Hybrid International Conference on the Asian-African Conference of 1955

Marking 70 years since the historic Bandung Conference of 1955, we invite scholars, researchers, students, and practitioners to join us for the hybrid international conference, „Sejiwa: The Spirit of Bandung at 70“ exploring its enduring legacies. Let’s rethink Bandung’s ambitions!

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

In April 1955, representatives from 29 Asian and African nations gathered in Bandung, Indonesia, for a conference that aimed to reshape the postcolonial world order. The Bandung Conference asserted a collective voice for countries emerging from the shadows of empire, affirming principles of sovereignty, mutual respect, non-interference, and peaceful coexistence.

The “Ten Principles of Peaceful Coexistence” agreed upon in that conference declared the collective hope that, “free from mistrust and fear, and with confidence and goodwill towards each other, nations should practise tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours and develop friendly cooperation.” The Bandung Conference led to further initiatives such as the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), New International Economic Order, New World Information and Communication Order, as well as the Tricontinental Conference of 1966. Traditions of “Third Worldism”, Global South solidarity and multipolarity can be traced back to the energies unleashed by the Bandung Conference.

The conference title uses the Malay/Indonesian term “sejiwa” to indicate that it is not only the liberatory “spirit” (jiwa) of Bandung that lives on but also its dreams of a larger “unity” of humanity which embraces its goals. Seventy years later, the „Bandung Spirit“—defined by collective resistance to domination, commitment to economic and political independence, and solidarity among the peoples of the Global South—remains a vital guidepost for confronting today’s intersecting crises: imperialism, racial capitalism, climate catastrophe, gender injustice, and unequal global governance.

This conference seeks to commemorate the Bandung Conference’s 70th anniversary by critically revisiting its origins, ambitions, and lasting influences. At the same time, it aims to foster dialogue on how Bandung’s spirit continues to inform contemporary struggles for decolonization, equitable development, climate justice, and non-alignment in an increasingly multipolar world. Keynote lectures, panels, and roundtable discussions will be devoted to the multi- and inter-disciplinary understanding of the legacies of Bandung.

The conference will also feature celebrations of the 70th year of the UP Asian Center, the 25th year of the UP Center for International Studies and the 50th year of DLSU as a university.

CONFERENCE FEES

CONFERENCE DATES AND VENUES
The conference will be held on 5 – 8 November 2025, at the following venues:
November 5 and 6 – Verdure and Pardo Halls, HSSH, De La Salle University
November 7 and 8 – GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium, University of the Philippines Diliman 
Select presentations will be held via Zoom