The American Center for Mongolian Studies (ACMS), together with the International Association of Mongolian Studies (IAMS) will organize a conference entitled, "Owen Lattimore: The Past, Present, and Future of Inner Asian Studies" in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on August 20 and 21, 2008.

Owen Lattimore played an important role in the development of political and cultural relations between Inner Asia and the West, and he is widely recognized as the father of Inner Asian Studies in the United States and England. His research and writing continues to have a profound impact on generations of scholars and intellectuals interested in Inner Asia. This conference has a duel purpose. First, it is meant to help record the memories of those who knew Owen Lattimore or were directly influenced by him, and offer scholars who are new to the field the opportunity to learn more about Owen Lattimore's role in the development of cultural and political relations between Inner Asia and the West in the 20th century. Second, the conference is intended to build on Owen Lattimore’s legacy by providing a forum for new research related to the region. The conference marks the first of a series of annual conferences planned by the ACMS in Inner Asia to promote scholarly exchange between local and international scholars and to explore emerging research topics related to the region.

The three general themes of the conference include:

• Owen Lattimore's role in the development of cultural and political relations
  between Inner Asia and the West (including Japan)

• An examination of the scholarship of Owen Lattimore – his ideas and his
  influence (past, present, and future) on the field of Inner Asian Studies
• The continuing development of Inner Asian Studies as new scholars
  redefine and reshape Owen Lattimore's legacy

The first day of the conference will focus on personal recollections by scholars, diplomats and others from Mongolia and other countries who knew Owen Lattimore or were directly influenced by him. Topics will include discussions of Lattimore’s life and travels in the region, his role in the development of cultural and political relations between Inner Asia and the West, and his work to support scholarly exchange and develop the field of Inner Asian Studies.

The second day of the conference will focus on the scholarship of Owen Lattimore and how new generations of scholars are extending his legacy. Presenters discuss the influence of Owen Lattimore’s publications and ideas, critique works or ideas produced by Owen Lattimore, or extend his ideas in new directions. Two panel presentations by the new generation of students and scholars working in Inner Asia will examine the continued development of the field.

A field trip for interested conference participants will take place after the close of the formal conference. Below is the preliminary schedule for the conference. The final schedule and registration instructions will be available in mid-July. For more information about the conference, please contact info@mongoliacenter.org

Preliminary Conference Schedule
August 20 - 21, 2008
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia