Dear Friends,
After keeping track of world events and much discussion amongst the conference organizers and ISA HQ, we have decided to cancel ISA’s collaborative international conference with Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco, planned for late June 2020. We’re certain that this doesn’t come as a surprise to you, given the implications of the growing global pandemic.
In making this decision now, several major factors came into play. First, the trajectory for the COVID-19 pandemic remains uncertain around the globe and the health of participants is first and foremost in our minds. Second, many of you have been querying HQ about the plans for the conference, as you started to look at travel arrangements, conference registration and more. Third, the Moroccan government recently decided to ban all international flights to Morocco with no resumption date identified at the moment. That level of uncertainty about the prospects for travel made holding the conference a risky proposition for the foreseeable future.
This was not a happy decision for any of us, but one that we think is required. Even so, we fully intend to hold a conference at Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane, Morocco either in 2021 or 2022. That conference would carry over the theme of “Africa and the Middle East and North Africa: Understanding Paradoxical Outcomes of Contemporary Transformations” but we would re-open submissions at the appropriate time, once a firm date is set. Further details about this prospective event and others will be forthcoming hopefully by late summer 2020.
Please know that this cancellation is a huge disappointment for everyone involved in this endeavor, as we are sure it is for you, too. ISA and Al Akhawayn truly value your involvement in our events and we aim to serve our participants thoughtfully. That includes making informed decisions about the health and safety of our planned events.
Please feel free to reach out to any of us with questions or concerns. Information about registration refunds and other details will be forthcoming in the very near future.
Stay healthy and well,
Nizar Messari
Al Akhawayn University
Conference Organizer
Driss Maghraoui
Al Akhawayn University
Program Co-Chair
Imad Mansour
McGill University
Program Co-Chair
Mark A. Boyer
ISA Executive Director