“Internationalizing” the SHCY
Mona Gleason
What might it mean to make the Society for the History of Childhood and Youth more “international?” The desire to do so was clearly indicated on a number of responses to the Baltimore conference survey. Responses indicated that widening the focus of the Society – particularly in terms of attracting scholars and scholarship from around the world – would only strengthen an already vibrant collective. I surveyed a number of colleagues outside the United States and asked them what they would like to see the Society pursue in this regard. From specific, practical suggestions to general support, international members had some useful things to say about making the SHCY an international organization.
Opportunities for International Collaboration
A session at the Baltimore conference entitled “Beyond the Century of the Child”: Collaborations between Historians and Developmental Psychologists,” was emblematic of the power of disciplinary collaboration to foster international connections. Session speaker Willem Koops, Utrecht University, The Netherlands, and President of the European Society for Developmental Psychology (ESDP), suggests that the participation of SHCY members at the next biennial conference of the ESDP in the Canary Islands in 2005 might be a fruitful place to start. He also indicated a desire to propose a special issue of the European Journal on the history of childhood in collaboration with SHCY members. David Pomfret, based in China at the University of Hong Kong, likewise encourages members of the SHCY to “take advantage of the groundswell of interest in this subject in Europe.” David also indicated the desire to host the SHCY conference in Hong Kong in the future. Taking the conference outside the United States and North American would be an exciting opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to internationalization.
Act Locally, Think Globally
A number of respondents to my query regarding the SHCY’s international dimensions suggested making a conscious effort to tailor conference sessions to a spectrum of research contexts. Entire sessions could be devoted to particular countries, for example. Another respondent suggested that each session could strive to have representation from at least two countries. While this might prove trying for conference organizers in these early days of the Society, more advertising and pressure on participants to suggest international panels might bring fruitful results. A third idea revolved around generating international “subcommittees” or “chapters” of the SHCY. A chapter would be firmly under the umbrella of the larger Society, but would be responsible for recruiting new members, supporting panels at conferences, fostering collaboration across the Society, and contributing news to our newsletters. It might even be feasible for chapter members to host SHCY conferences on a revolving basis.
Our desire to continue to support the internationalization of the SHCY bodes well for the future of the organization. Supporting scholars and scholarship around the world should be an important goal. Realizing this goal can only enrich an already energized field.
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