Purpose

SOCIETIES OF PEACE

PAST. PRESENT. FUTURE

Second World Congress of Matriarchal Studies

Texas State University Performing Arts Center

San Marcos, Texas

September 29 to October 2, 2005

The First World Congress of Matriarchal Studies took place with great success in September 2003 in Luxembourg/Europe, titled: Societies in Balance. Gender Equality, Consensus, Culture in Matrilineal, Matrifocal, Matriarchal Societies. It was organized by Heide Goettner-Abendroth (International Akademie HAGIA, Germany) and sponsored by Luxembourg's Minister of Family and Women' Affairs, Marie-Josée Jacobs. We are excited to announce that the Second World Congress on Matriarchal Studies will be held in the USA on September 29 to October 2 2005, in San Marcos, Texas, at the Texas State University Performing Arts Center. Heide Goettner-Abendroth will organize the conference with the cooperation and sponsorship of Genevieve Vaughan and the Center for the Study of the Gift Economy (Austin, Texas).

This groundbreaking congress will bring together speakers from Europe and the USA with a special invitation to indigenous women and men from matriarchal societies. The speakers will discuss both the theoretical and the cultural/political aspects of matriarchal societies. The social order of matriarchal societies is non violent. Contrary to the common prejudice, which sees matriarchies as "women's rule", these societies have real gender-egalitarian, consensus-based and peaceful traditions, in which all living creatures are respected. Although they have not been explored objectively and impartially until recently and have not been adequately represented in Western socio-cultural sciences, matriarchal forms of society still exist in various areas of the world and have had a long and interesting history.

The matriarchal form of society, which has been shaped mainly by women, has generally been misunderstood. It is our intention now to present and publicize a clearer and more accurate view. We are also excited that indigenous women and men from still living matrilineal or matriarchal societies will speak to the public about their way of life and about their political struggles with surrounding patriarchal societies.

At the beginning of this new millennium, there is a lively interest in this new socio-cultural science. The reason is that it makes visible a form of society, which is peaceful and balanced not only in regard to gender but also in regard to the generations, and it demonstrates an ecologically appropriate way of life. The example of matriarchal societies can inspire us to find better social and cultural models for the solution of many contemporary problems.

At the same time, this new discipline makes it clear that women have always been creators of societies and cultures although their important history has been made invisible. Regaining this deeper knowledge of history is crucial, especially for women. Please join us for this dynamic and important event.