Edited by:
- Vilma Paez Perez, Universidad de Holguín, Cuba | vimilce2[at]gmail.com
- Emmanuel Nikiema, University of Toronto, Canada | emmanuel.nikiema[at]utoronto.ca
- Louise Lafortune, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada | Louise.Lafortune[at]uqtr.ca
- Jeff Tennant, Western University, Canada | jtennant[at]uwo.ca
- Salvador Escalante Batista, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas, Holguín, Cuba | salviles22[at]gmail.com
- Marie-Cécile Guillot. Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada | guillot.marie-cecile[at]uqam.ca
Dear colleagues and friends,
Although current circumstances prevent us from holding the long-awaited twentieth edition of the International Conference on Foreign Languages, Communication and Culture (WEFLA 2026) and the International Seminar on Canadian Studies (SECAN 2026), our commitment to celebrating nearly three decades of shared academic endeavour remains strong.
We are pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of a special commemorative book. This book will highlight the most significant themes, debates, and collaborations that have emerged across twenty editions of WEFLA and SECAN—two events that have fostered dialogue between Cuba, Canada and the wider international community.
This is more than a book; it is a collective memory, a bridge of voices and a testament to the friendships and intellectual exchanges that have shaped our journey. We warmly invite you to contribute your reflections, research and insights, and to join us in exploring pathways to support and finance this collective project. To ensure the successful and timely publication of the volume, we are seeking financial support from various sources. At the same time, we kindly ask contributors—except those based in Cuba—to provide a contribution of up to C$300 (or equivalent) for faculty and up to C$100 for students. These contributions will help cover editorial, production and distribution costs, ensuring that each author receives three copies of the book and that this commemorative volume reaches a wide audience, preserving the legacy of WEFLA‑SECAN for future generations.
Scope of Contributions
The volume seeks contributions that reflect the diversity of perspectives and the richness of intercultural exchange. We welcome academic articles and reflective essays addressing:
- Languages and Communication: applied linguistics, language pedagogy, pragmatics, translation and interpretation
- Culture and Diversity: identity, interculturality, cultural studies
- Inclusive Language and Intercultural Communication: in global academic and community settings
- Canadian Studies: Equity, diversity, inclusion, gender studies, science, history & politics, cultural diplomacy, innovation & cooperation: international projects, methodologies, and Cuba–Canada networks
We also encourage testimonies and reflective essays that capture historical memory, milestones and the human dimension of academic friendship across twenty editions.
Authorship Guidelines
Eligibility | Contributions must come from active participants in the congress over the years, with at least two prior participations.
Languages | Texts may be submitted in Spanish, English or French.
Length
- Academic articles: 8–10 pages (including references, tables, and figures).
- Testimonies or reflective essays: 3–5 pages.
Authorship
- Maximum of three authors per article.
- Testimonies and reflective essays must be single-authored.
- Each person may submit only one contribution, although co‑authorship is permitted.
Format
- Font: Times New Roman, size 12, line spacing 1.5.
- Title: maximum 15 words, in uppercase.
- Abstract: in Spanish, English, and French (150–200 words).
- Keywords: 5–7. The abstract must be descriptive, informative, and structured; it should include the objective, general materials and methods, results, and partial conclusions. Clarity of expression and inclusive language must be ensured throughout the text. References: APA, 7th edition.
Submission
- Manuscripts in Word (.docx).
- Separate cover page with: author’s name, institutional affiliation, email address, and a short biographical note (40–50 words).
- Proposals must be sent to vimilce2[at]gmail.com within the deadlines established in this call.
Review | The Editorial Committee will evaluate submissions to ensure academic quality and relevance. Authors will be contacted to approve suggested revisions.
Editorial Calendar
- Abstract deadline: 30 June 2026
- Proposal acceptance by Editorial Committee: 30 July 2026
- Full text submission: 20 September 2026
- Editing, translation and preparation of the volume: 15 January 2027
- Delivery to publisher: 10 February 2027
- Expected publication: 10 April 2027
By contributing to this commemorative volume, you will help preserve the collective memory of almost three decades of academic encounters and extend their legacy into the future. Together, we reaffirm the enduring value of dialogue, innovation, and international cooperation in the fields of languages, communication, culture and Canadian Studies.