Ameriška geografija: stanovska organiziranost (ob 120. obletnici ustanovitve Ameriškega združenja geografov, 1904–2024)

Abstract

Geografija v Združenih državah Amerike ima dolgo tradicijo stanovskega združevanja, vsebinsko pestrega delovanja ter preučevanja naravnih in družbenih pojavov. Sredi in v drugi polovici 19. stoletja so ustanovili stanovski združenji American Geographic Society (AGS; Ameriško geografsko društvo) in The National Geographic Society (NGS; Nacionalna geografska zveza). Na začetku 20. stoletja pa je nastal Association of American Geographers (Združenje ameriških geografov), v 21. stoletju preimenovan v American Association of Geographers (AAG; Ameriško združenje geografov). Po komercialni uspešnosti izstopa NGS s 135 letno tradicijo izhajanja poljudne geografske revije The National Geographic Magazine ter lastništvom televizijske mreže in drugimi gospodarsko uspešnimi podjetji. Po vplivu na družbenopolitično odločanje pa ima večje izkušnje AGS, saj so njegovi člani odločilno vplivali na oblikovanje meja v Evropi po prvi svetovni vojni. AAG v letu 2024 praznuje 120 let obstoja, skupaj z njim pa tudi zborovanja ameriških geografov (Annual Meetings of the AAG). Popularnost zborovanja dokazuje več kot 10.000 udeležencev in prek 5000 predstavitev. Slovenski geografi so na teh zborovanjih od leta 2004 predstavili 47 prispevkov.

American geography: professional associations (on the 120th anniversary of the American Association of Geographers, 1904–2024)

Geography in the United States of America has a long tradition of social associations, diverse activities, and research of natural and social phenomena. In the middle and second half of the 19th century, the following professional societies were founded: The American Geographic Society (AGS) and The National Geographic Society (NGS). At the dawn of the 20th century, the Association of American Geographers was formed, and was renamed 112 years later into the American Association of Geographers (AAG). In terms of commercial success, NGS stands out with its 135-year of tradition and of publishing the popular geographic magazine The National Geographic Magazine, as well its ownership of a commercial network and other financially successful companies. In terms of influencing the socio-political decision-making,the AGS has a better experience, as their members had a decisive influence on the formation of borders in Europe after the First World War. In 2024, AAG is celebrating 120 years of existence, and with it also the Annual Meetings of the AAG. The popularity of the gathering is demonstrated by more than 10,000 participants and by over 5,000 presentations. Since 2004, Slovenian geographers had 47 presentations at the AAG meetings.