1AntiAmhara tropes 2History 3War 4PostConflict: 2nd International Scientific Conference: "Re-Conceptualizing Amhara Resilience: From Survival Struggle to Reimagining Political Futures" Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza 1 Veterans Pl Silver Spring MD 20910 Silver Spring, MD, United States, May 23-24, 2026

Submission Guidelines

All papers must be original and not simultaneously submitted to another journal or conference. The following paper categories are welcome:

• Full papers describing welcome from diverse disciplines, including history, political science, area studies, law, sociology, peace studies, and media studies. The Journal of  Amhara invites scholars, practitioners, and advocates to submit original papers for presentation at its upcoming international conference, scheduled for May 23-24 [Saturday and Sunday], 2026. The Amhara people have experienced profound political, social, and humanitarian challenges in recent decades, including genocide, displacement, cultural erasure, and systemic marginalization. At the same time, Amhara communities, both within Ethiopia and across the diaspora, have demonstrated remarkable resilience, intellectual leadership, and grassroots mobilization.

• This conference seeks to move beyond the traditional framing of Amhara existence as survival under threat. Instead, it aims to reconceptualize resilience as a foundation for reimagining political futures, rebuilding institutions, restoring dignity, and charting new pathways toward peace, justice, and sustainable governance. We welcome interdisciplinary contributions that engage with history, politics, trauma, law, anthropology, media, cultural studies, religion, and peacebuilding. The conference accepts papers that align to the Journal of Amhara’s mission of preserving heritages, advancing wisdom and inspiring the future of the Amhara, and contributing to human civilization. 

• Abstracts (300-400 words) should clearly state the research question, methodology, and contribution to the conference theme. 
• Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: February 13, 2026
• Full Paper Submission: March 13, 2026
• Conference Date: 23rd and 24th (Saturday and Sunday) of May 2026

List of Topics

• Rethinking Historical Foundations: The 16th–17th century’s Ethiopian Historical Phenomenon, its impact on the Amhara People and reinterpretations of early state formation; Emperor Menelik II: policies, narratives, and political mythmaking; and Historic origins of grievances and anti-Amhara violence

• Political and Historical Trajectories of Amhara Marginalization: The Amhara People under the “revolutionary DERG” regime; Identity imposition, exclusion, and state violence during the EPRDF/TPLF, and PP era; Displacement, demographic engineering, and administrative disenfranchisement; and Traditions of resistance and grassroots mobilization

• Ethno-Federalism and Comparative Political Systems: Amhara representation challenges within Ethiopia’s federal structure; Minorities in non-homeland regions: rights, vulnerabilities, and political exclusion; Lessons from global federal systems

• Diaspora Engagement, Media, and Cultural Advocacy: Diaspora influence on international policy and public opinion; Misinformation, propaganda, and digital resistance; Cultural heritage as a site of political struggle and identity renewal

• The War on Amhara: Documentation of killings, mass displacement, sexual violence, and religious attacks; Patterns of state complicity, armed-group violence, and targeted persecution; Polarization, hate speech, and genocide prevention

• Memory, Trauma, and Narrative Justice: Collective trauma and generational healing; Truth-telling, documentation, and historical correction; The narrative power of civil and armed resistance movements

• Ethics of Scholarship in Post-Conflict Contexts: Scholar responsibilities in disputed histories and ongoing violence; Ethical research methodologies in conflict zones; and The role of academic institutions in transitional justice and reconciliation

• Deconstructing Anti-Amhara Tropes: Origins of “Amhara as colonizers” narratives; Modern political weaponization of identity; and Media, textbooks, and global academic misrepresentations

• Pathways to Peace, Reconstruction, and Restoration: Post-war governance models; Community rebuilding and economic revitalization; Religious institutions, elders, and traditional conflict resolution; and Visions for long-term political futures of the Amhara people

• Additional Relevant Topics: Submissions addressing other aspects of Amhara experience, political futures, identity, or resilience are encouraged.

Committees

Program Committee

• Journal of Amhara Editor in Chief and the Editorial Board

Organizing committee

• Coordinator, Journal of Amhara Office and Event Organizing Team

Venue

The conference will be held in Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Pl, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Contact

Submissions and all questions about submissions should be emailed to: editorinchief@journalofamhara.org