TORONTO, June 18, 2018 – The XIX ISA World Congress of Sociology will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre July 15-21, 2018. The congress is expected to bring 6,000 delegates from 115 countries worldwide to Toronto, representing the largest-ever gathering of sociologists in Canada. The Canadian Sociological Association has been selected to co-host the congress, which is considered to be the most significant international meeting on the topic of sociology.

The theme of the congress is Power, Violence and Justice: Reflections, Responses and Responsibilities, focusing on how scholars, public intellectuals, policy makers, journalists and activists from diverse fields will contribute to society’s understanding of power, violence and justice.

“Canadian sociologists are deeply concerned with social justice, with making practical policy-relevant contributions, and with taking on the role of public sociologists,” Says Dr. Rima Wilkes, President of the Canadian Sociological Association and Professor at the Department of Sociology at the University of British Columbia.. “The World Congress provides sociologists from around the world the opportunity to explore both the differences and similarities in our experiences of and responses to power, violence and justice.”

“We are proud to welcome experts from around the world attending the XIX ISA World Congress of Sociology to discuss current social, economic and political challenges,” said Barry Smith, President and CEO at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. “I’d also like to acknowledge Leaders Circle Ambassador Dr. Patrizia Albanese from the Department of Sociology at Ryerson University and Chair of the Congress Local Organizing Committee, for her instrumental contribution in bringing this important event to Toronto.”

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Accredited journalists are invited to cover the World Congress sessions and events (July 15 – 21).  Media Passes are required to gain access to the exhibit hall and sessions. To apply for a Media Pass, please fill out the registration form. You may also request a Media Pass onsite upon presenting valid media accreditation at the Registration Desk – Exhibitors/Media at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (Level 200, Front Street entrance) starting on June 15.   

For further information or to arrange an interview, contact Mackenzie Gregory, 647-832-3834, isamedia@csa-scs.ca or Sherry Fox, 416-660-4378, office@csa-scs.ca

About the World Congress

The ISA World Congresses are large international gatherings of members of the Research Committees and National Associations. This important event, which is the largest international meeting for Sociologists, is held every four years, in cities around the world, selected following a competitive bid process. The last three World Congresses were held in Yokohama, Japan (2014), Gothenburg, Sweden (2010), and Durban, South Africa (2006).

About the Congress Organizing Association

The International Sociological Association (ISA), founded under the auspices of UNESCO, is made up of 56 research committees/RCs, 3 working groups, 4 thematic groups, 62 national associations, 6 regional associations, and a wide range of institutes and departments. The ISA includes sociologists from across the world and is committed to enhancing knowledge mobilization between developed and less developed countries.

About the Congress Host Association

The Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) promotes research, publication and teaching in Sociology in Canada.  Our membership comes mainly from sociology departments in Canadian universities, but there is a notable and welcome group from other social science departments, community colleges, from a wide range of non-academic settings (government, NGO, and private sector) and from abroad.

About the Metro Toronto Convention Centre

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is Canada’s number one convention and trade show facility. Over the past 33 years, the Centre has hosted over 20,000 events and has added $6.3 billion in direct spending economic impact to the community. For further information, please visit www.mtccc.com.