English
COWS: Conference on World Sexualities
COWS is an international video interview project designed to introduce educational resources about LGBT. Through the short videos produced by COWS, users will have access to information on a wide variety of LGBT-related topics.
COWS will create an online environment in which people of all sexual orientations, genders, nationalities, religions, cultures and creeds will be able to freely access information about LGBT issues from all over the world.
COWS Japan will launch in September 2014, and
COWS America is expected to launch in September 2015
From there, COWS plans to continue expanding to other countries and languages.
COWS does not operate for profit. At present, all COWS activities are carried out by unpaid volunteers.
COWS videos and translations
Each video is limited to ten minutes. This makes translation more manageable, which in turn supports our vision of a site where people from a variety of backgrounds can study LGBT issues in a short period of time.
Research introduced in COWS shall be limited to original research that has already been peer reviewed. We ask that speakers avoid difficult terminology in favor of more generally accessible language.
At present, videos and translations are made in direct cooperation with COWS staff. In future, COWS intends to publish video and translation guidelines in order to make both processes more open to everyone.
Connected videos with translators is one of COWS’ most important functions. Volunteer translators will be gathered mainly through social media.
By publishing a video in COWS, scholars and organizations open the door for multilingual translation, creating opportunities for global networking and attracting a wider audience of potential supporters.
Volunteer Translators
By contributing to COWS, volunteer translators build an educational environment in which both global perspectives uninfluenced by local politics and the real situations of LGBT in each area can be studied simultaneously. Furthermore, they create opportunities for international cooperation and exchange by expanding the global LGBT network.
Every translation by every volunteer plays a vital role in making the goals of COWS possible.
COWS strives to find every possible way to thank and support its volunteers. In addition to providing certification to every translator for each translation that they complete, COWS will also furnish letters of recommendation for all translators upon request.
Those interested in volunteering or with questions about volunteering can contact COWS via the form at the bottom of this page. At present, COWS is able to accept emails in Japanese and English only.
COWS Self-Leadership Program
In the course of its activities, COWS will come into contact with a wide variety of researchers and experts. COWS will ask for their advice on how to improve the organization and its projects, including future directions for COWS, rules for users and contributors, etc.
All advice received will be published in the COWS Self-Leadership Blog to create a learning resource for others interested in organizational leadership.
COWS Japan, COWS America staff:
Organizer: Naoya Matsushima
Advisor: Carl Gabrielson
Contact
If you are interested in working with COWS or have any other questions,
please send your inquiry via the contact form below.