engage – the National Association for Gallery Education is a membership organisation representing gallery, art and education professionals in the UK and in 15 countries worldwide. This year's engage International Conference examines the role of art, artists and gallery educators in sites or situations of conflict. It takes place alongside and makes connections with the Brighton Foto Biennal, “Memory of Fire: Images of War and the War of Images” (3 October-16 November 2008).

Artists, educators, theorists and curators from the UK and beyond will explore:

- artists and art institutions in divided societies/territorie
- the formative power of historical imagery
- the display and mediation of problematic content
- making space for dissent and critique
- conflict resolution and community relations
- the aesthetic, philosophical and ethical dimensions of collaborative/participatory projects
- instrumentalism and "socially engaged" practice

The notion of rules and protocols will feature strongly in the format of the conference through highly structured presentation techniques, such as "pecha kucha", and specially commissioned artists' interventions. The aim is to create a space where participants can experience discussion as practice rather than discussion on practice.

Plus…An experimental CrowdVine web discussion project; practical case studies and workshop activities; visits to Brighton Photo Biennial venues and a reception organised by the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Through Design.