This just in from the Center for Lao Studies:The 4th International Conference on Lao Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is quickly approaching and a new updated Conference schedule is now available for view at www.laostudies.org/icls/iv/abstracts-and-schedules.

Events kick-off on Friday, April 19th at 9am with opening remarks by the Center for Lao Studies (CLS) Board members and Conference co-chairs (Drs. Ian Baird and Vinya Sysamouth), followed by a keynote speech by Yves Goudineau, École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO), Vientiane, on “The Invention of a Multiethnic Heritage in Laos” and conclude on Sunday, April 21st.

More than 125 presenters from around the world will share their knowledge and expertise on 38 different panels on topics ranging from Wat Pathumwanaram to Lao Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management to Heritage Tourism in Laos.

In-between panels, catch one of the ten Lao documentary, animation and feature films that will be showcased at the Conference’s Film Festival April 19-20. In the evenings, two events, including Center for Lao Studies’ Membership Appreciation Reception (Friday April 19, 7-10pm) and the Conference Banquet (Saturday April 20, 7-10pm) will cap off the day’s activities.

All Center for Lao Studies members are invited to the member appreciation reception. If you are not yet a member and would like to be a guest at the CLS reception, you can join CLS now at www.laostudies.org.

They look forward to seeing you April 19-21. If you haven’t yet registered for the Conference, there’s still time! Register Now at www.laostudies.org.

We know many Little Laos on the Prairie Readers are looking forward to the conference, which doesn’t come around every year. What panels and events are you looking forward to the most?