On the occasion of the publication of the French translation of Christopher Alan Bayly’s “The Birth of the Modern World (1780 – 1914)”, UNESCO is organising this symposium in partnership with Le Monde diplomatique, Les Editions de l’Atelier and the Association des Professeurs d’Histoire et de Géographie (A.P.H.G).

The symposium will take place at UNESCO’s Headquarters in Paris (Room IV – Fontenoy building) and will be organised around two thematic sessions. The first session, entitled “One book, many ideas”, will be an occasion for the author to present the publication.

How was the modern world born? Why did Europe emerge as the centre of the planet in the 18th and 19th century? Was this domination the result of a particular “culture”, or were the elements of modernisation already present in other continents? The wide-ranging vision of the British historian Christopher Alan Bayly gives answers to these and many other questions. As the debate on colonisation and its impact enters a new phase, Bayly’s work throws new light on on-going discussions and polemics. By taking into account Europe but also India and Africa, the Ottoman Empire and the Pacific, the author opens new perspectives for research and understanding of what we call the modern world. With a large spatial and thematic coverage, including political, philosophical and religious dimensions, this work allows us to understand the birth of the modern world in the different regions of the world.

During the second session of the symposium - entitled “Critical views” - eminent historians and philosophers, namely Philip S. Golub, François Jullien, Pierre Kipré and Jenniffer Pitts, will engage in a critical discussion of the ideas presented in the book.

A book signing session with the author will take place at the end of the day and the French edition of the publication will be available for sale during the symposium.

For information about the English edition of the book, see Blackwell Publishers. For information about the French edition and to order it, see the sites of our partners Le Monde diplomatique and Editions de l’Atelier.

Participation in the symposium will be possible upon registration and presentation of personal identification. To register, please return the form below to Ms Kristina Balalovska, UNESCO – 1, rue Miollis – 75732 Paris Cedex - Fax: +33 (0)1 45 68 57 29.

Related Links:

Programme (in PDF format)

Registration Form (in Word format)