The 2026 CALACS Congress theme is "Latin American and Caribbean Cities and Societies." The congress will explore creative responses, resilient practices, and forms of solidarity that address social, political, economic, and environmental challenges in Latin America, the Caribbean, and their diasporas in Canada and elsewhere.

The congress will take place from May 6 to May 9, 2026, at the University of Calgary in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

The congress is open to scholars, students, practitioners, policy makers, artists, and members of community and non-profit organizations working on Latin America, the Caribbean, and their diasporas. We welcome participants from a wide range of disciplines and professional backgrounds.

CALACS is a multilingual association and accepts proposals and presentations in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Please indicate your preferred language in your proposal and presentation.

Proposals for panels, workshops, roundtables, individual papers, and book presentations must be submitted through the online webforms indicated in the Call for Papers. For detailed instructions and links to the forms, please consult the Call for Papers page.

The deadline for submitting proposals for panels, workshops, and individual papers is January 30, 2026, through the conference website. Please submit your proposal of approximately 350 words in English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese.

Participants may be involved in more than one session (for example, as presenter in one panel and discussant in another), but the program committee may limit multiple roles to ensure balance in the program. Details on limits per participant will follow in the program guidelines.

Once registration opens, you will be able to register through the CALACS registration page on the association's website. A step-by-step registration guide (create an account, pay membership, pay congress fee) is linked from CALACS communications and social media.

Presenters are normally required to be current CALACS members and to pay the congress registration fee. Non-presenting attendees may also be required to register and, in some cases, become members depending on the fee structure published for 2026.

Registration fees vary by category (faculty, students, community organizations, etc.) and will be posted on the CALACS registration page once finalized. Information on early-bird rates, deadlines, and what is included in the fees will also be provided there.

Typically, congress registration covers access to all regular sessions (panels, workshops, roundtables), plenaries, and scheduled networking activities during May 6–9. Travel, accommodation, and most meals are not included unless otherwise indicated in the program or specific event announcements.

Travel and accommodation are not included in the congress registration fee; participants are responsible for arranging and funding their own travel and lodging. CALACS may share information about recommended hotels, campus housing options, or discounts near the University of Calgary on the congress website.

Information about online or hybrid session options, if available, will be announced closer to the event on the congress website and through CALACS communications. Please check the site regularly for updates if remote participation is important for you.

Yes, participants who are accepted onto the program and have completed registration may request an official invitation letter for visa purposes. Instructions on how to request a letter (and what information to provide) will be posted on the congress website and sent to accepted participants.

CALACS normally provides certificates of presentation and/or participation upon request or automatically after the event. Details on how and when to obtain your certificate will be communicated during and after the congress.

CALACS aims to provide an accessible congress environment and will work with the University of Calgary to address accessibility needs on campus. Participants with specific accessibility requirements are encouraged to contact the organizers in advance so arrangements can be explored.

The congress welcomes the active participation of community organizations, grassroots groups, and students working on Latin American and Caribbean issues. Information on any reduced fees, bursaries, or specific activities for these groups will be announced on the congress website if available.

Once the program is finalized, presenters will receive an email indicating their panel/session, date, time, and room, and the full program will be posted on the congress website. We encourage you to verify your information carefully and notify the organizers promptly of any errors.

Minor changes (affiliation updates, corrected titles) may be possible within a specified timeframe, but last-minute changes to sessions or times will be limited. Please contact the organizers as soon as possible if you foresee a conflict that affects your participation.