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2nd World Conference on Fraternalism, Freemasonry & History May 2017

The 2nd World Conference on Fraternalism, Freemasonry, and History (WCFFH) will be held in Paris, France May 26th & 27th, 2017 at the Bibliothèque Nationale – Paris.

Convened by the journal, Ritual, Secrecy, and Civil Society, in cooperation with the Bibliothèque Nationale, the second World Conference on Fraternalism, Freemasonry, and History: Research in Ritual, Secrecy, and Civil Society (La Conférence Mondiale sur la Fraternité, la Franc-maçonnerie et l’Histoire, recherche sur les notions de rituel, de secret et leur rapport à la Société civile), focuses on the study of the lasting influence of the Enlightenment, ritual, secrecy, and civil society vis-à-vis the dynamics of scholarship around the world. The conference explores how civil society, social capital, secrecy, and ritual have been important elements during different episodes of local and world histories, and indeed still are. The WCFFH 2017 is a part of the Policy Studies Organization’s support of research into associations, civility, and the role of non governmental organizations in democracy.

The conference is on Friday and Saturday. On Wednesday and Thursday there is a workshop at the Museum of Freemasonry on the Chevalier Ramsay and his claims for the origin of Masonry.  Participation is by application. The pre-conference workshop at the Museum of Freemasonry will examine Ramsay’s Masonic influence, including the disputed versions of his 1737 oration that had such a large influence on the degrees.  It is also the 300th anniversary of the organization of an English grand lodge.

The conference has a general interest in fraternalism and is not confined to Freemasonry, nor is it under the auspices of any lodge. Rather, it is supported by the National Library of France, the Policy Studies Organization, and the American Public University.

Simultaneous translation French-English, English-French, is offered for all sessions.

No charge is made for registration for the conference, but registration is requested to plan for catering, headsets, and other conference needs. For information and registration please contact PSO Executive Director, Daniel Gutierrez, at [email protected] 

PLEASE NOTE: Currently, there are 48 papers already listed on the preliminary program page HERE, but from the wording on the site, it seems that papers are still welcome. If you are interested in participating in the program, I highly suggest contacting Daniel Gutierrez as soon as possible.
To watch videos of presentations at the 2015 Conference, CLICK HERE.