Call for Papers: Youth Political Mobilization and Socialization in Contemporary China

8th Sep 2022 (All day)
Virtual event, registration required
Deadline: 30th Mar 2022

2022 marks the 100th anniversary of the official establishment of the Chinese Communist Youth League (中国共产主义青年团, CYL), one of the largest youth political organizations in the world. As the Chinese Communist Party’s assistant and reserve force, the CYL is the Party’s main channel to socialize youth in the official political discourse and practices, and mobilize them to support the current system. Despite the importance of the organization, English-language academic work on its history, politics and multifaceted role in contemporary China remains sporadic.

The CYL’s centenary offers an opportunity to bring together scholars from different disciplines to discuss their research and insights on Chinese youth political socialization and mobilization, with particular attention to the League and connected youth organizations. The Ash Center, working with Dr. Jérôme Doyon (Harvard University), Dr. Sofia Graziani (University of Trento) and Dr. Konstantinos Tsimonis (King’s College London), is pleased to organize a day-long online workshop examining emerging scholarship related to Communist youth organizations in China. After the workshop, the organizers envisage publishing an edited volume on the role of state-led youth organizations in political mobilization and socialization processes in the Chinese context.

The organizers invite proposals from a range of disciplines and perspectives that fall under three broad themes while highlighting the role played by Communist youth organizations:

  • Trends in the political socialization and mobilization of Chinese youth, both in China and transnationally (since the 1920s).
  • Youth affairs and social policy towards young people.
  • Political socialization and elite renewal.

Interested scholars are invited to submit a paper proposal of up to 300 words and a short bio (150 words maximum), in English by March 30th 2022.

Please check the following link for further details https://ash.harvard.edu/event/workshop-youth-political-mobilization-and-socialization-contemporary-china-centenary