FEUC hosts International Congress “Mário Soares: A life between centuries”

The call for proposals for the presentation of papers at the International Congress "Mário Soares – A Life Between Centuries", organised by eight universities and included in the commemorative programme for the centenary of Mário Soares' birth, is open until the end of June.

The congress, which will be held on 9 and 10 October at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Coimbra (FEUC), will bring together Portuguese and international researchers studying the work, political career, and intellectual contributions of the former president, as well as the historical periods in which he played a pivotal role. Speakers include José Pacheco Pereira, Irene Pimentel, Luís Reis Torgal, and Maria Inácia Rezola.

The event, organised by ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon, Open University, University of Beira Interior, University of Lisbon, University of Coimbra, University of Porto, University of Minho, and University of Évora, is free and open to the public.

According to the Chair of the Organising Committee (and FEUC professor), Álvaro Garrido, the purpose of this academic meeting is "to hold an open debate on key aspects of Mário Soares' public life." This interdisciplinary academic initiative aims to bring together leading specialists in the study of Mário Soares' thoughts and actions. It will also explore new perspectives on his worldviews, foreign relations, political life and institutions, social policy and citizenship, the environment, education, and culture. The UC professor added: "At a time of great uncertainty in the international arena, this congress will provide an opportunity to revisit the voice of Mário Soares and open up new avenues for democratic citizenship."

The event has an Organising Committee made up of representatives from the various sponsoring institutions. The Scientific Committee includes Fernando Rosas, António Costa Pinto, Marina Costa Lobo, Miriam Halpern Pereira, José Manuel Pureza, and Rui Bebiano, among others.

The deadline for submitting paper proposals for evaluation by the Scientific Committee is 30 June. All relevant information can be found at https://congresso-ms.fmsoaresbarroso.pt/.

José Manuel dos Santos, coordinator of the centenary celebrations of Mário Soares' birth, adds: "Soares knew that the craft of history—and of historians—is always like the work of Penelope: it is woven and unwoven, only to be woven again. He would have been delighted to see, on the centenary of his birth, a group of eminent researchers come together in an academic setting to discuss their studies, research, and interpretations of him and his time, thus reaffirming his relevance today."

^{Translation: Diana Taborda [DCOM-UC]}