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*Dates*: 11-12 December 2014 |*Venue*: OPorto*Organization*: Ports and Port City Group. Institute of ContemporaryHistory (IHC-FCSH/UNL) and Institute of Space Dynamics (IDE-FCSH/UNL).*Organizing Committee*: Maria Fernanda Rollo, João Figueira de Sousa,Margarida Schiappa, Tânia Vicente, Yvette SantosInterfaces between land and sea, it is wide the network of relationshipsthat in the ports and from them is established with politics, society,economy, the internal market, circuits, communications and internationaltrade routes.Port evolution can and must be understood within its context and in all itsdimensions. Considering ports, since their inception, as a part of socialand economic change, we are faced with both a product and a producer ofthat same change, with an increasing importance that develops itselfalongside the complexity of relations between societies.Ports are a key element in a war context. They are essential in militarystrategy, fundamental in terms of defense, essential for entry and exit ofpassengers, combatants and refugees, key elements in the process ofimporting and exporting materials and products, therefore, absolutelycrucial in a context of a World war. Of their equipping,of their conditionsof berthing,of the depth of its waters,  organization and organic, of theexistence of warehouses and depots, and of the preparation of itsinfrastructures, depends the effectiveness and efficiency of itsfunctioning and operability.The aim of this conference is to promote the share of knowledge and ofongoing investigations and promote a multidisciplinary debate on theproblematic of "Ports and War", considering the diversity and complexity ofemerging international and domestic contexts in war situations, taking inconsideration the multiple relationships and interdependencies betweenspaces and the key role played by port activity and the way in which itinfluenced the profile of ongoing conflicts.But it also aims to understand the impact caused by wars in the portssector, and understand how, in its aftermath, the weaknesses and strengthsof ports were assessed and answers to problems and constraints identifiedin the sector were programmed. Port activities are otherwise closelyrelated to economic and social actors both from private and public spheres,that boost these areas, and it is therefore essential to understand thetransformations that war perpetrate upon on these actors.The historical evolution of ports in a context of war, is a particularlyrich subject, to the extent that closes in itself facts, curiosities andfundamental reflections for a true understanding of the port sector. Inthis context, it is essential to understand the relationships, dynamics,changes, disruptions and problems arising between ports, the war, thelogical management of the war effort, and the postwar. And the way theserealities of conflict (World Wars, Colonial Wars - neutral countries /belligerent countries) act upon ports, analysis that includes dimensions asits own representativity.Adopting a multi-disciplinary analysis, which summons several scientificapproaches that do not exhaust themselves in the historical analysis,proposal selection will be oriented by the purpose of ensuring the highestquality, diversity and originality of the works.Proposals will be accepted framed by the following topics (withoutdisadvantage of acceptance of proposals devoted to other topics):- Port-Policies- War / Post-war effort (logistics, infrastructure, etc.)- Merchant Navy / War Navy- Port-city relations in a war context- Actors / Stakeholders- Trade and foreign relations- Refugees and passengers- Technology / Innovation- Heritage- Underwater-archeology,- Representation (arts, cinema, press, media)Communications will be no more than 20 minutes and might be deliveredeither in Portuguese, English and Spanish.Paper proposals should be submitted in 500 words abstract, three keywordsand title of the papers. Interest researchers should attach also a briefbiographical note (200 words), together with details of institutionalaffiliation and contact details of the author (email and phone).Proposals should be sent by email to: conferenciaportoseguerras@gmail.comFor further information see: http://portosecidadesportuarias.wordpress.com/*Submission of proposals*:  15th of June 2014.*Notification of accepted proposals*: 10th of July 2014.*Disclosure of the Program*: 15th of October 2014