Dear colleagues,

The very first IAHA Conference was held in the Philippines in 1960, as the short history of the IAHA found on this webpage reminds us. The 5th Conference was held here in 1971, and it returned to the Philippines in 1983 with the hosting of the 9th Conference. Over two decades have passed, and it gives us great pride and pleasure to once again host this important gathering of historians and scholars from various parts of Asia and the world.

On behalf of the National Organizing Committee and the host institution, the Philippine Social Science Council, I invite you to attend the 19th IAHA Conference, which will be held from 22 to 25 November 2006.

Over the years IAHA Conferences have grown in breath and depth, and have proven to be the cutting edge of historical scholarship on Asia and in Asia. Your participation will help ensure that the 19th IAHA Conference will continue this scholarly tradition even as we hope to break new ground in the study of Asian history and culture. The panel themes are broad-ranging and should be able to accommodate your own research interests. So, please come and join us in a warm and stimulating exchange of research findings and insights, and in friendly debate. Together, we shall advance scholarship on Asian history and culture.

If there is anything you would like to suggest, please do not hesitate to contact our IAHA Conference Secretariat by sending an email to iaha@pssc.org.ph.

I look forward to seeing you in November 2006.

Sincerely,

Filomeno V. Aguilar, Jr.
Chair, Philippine Social Science Council