Third World Approaches to International Law Conference
On Praxis and the Intellectual
The American University in Cairo
Egypt, 22 - 24 February 2015
CALL FOR PAPERS AND PANEL PROPOSALS
The first TWAIL conference in the global South will be held in Cairo from 22 to 24 February 2015.
In the context of the
ongoing revolutionary processes across the Middle East and North Africa, the thematic focus of the conference is that of the
intellectual as a political actor: the animation of praxis, broadly conceived as reflection, agitation, and transformative action.
The theme necessitates self-reflection as TWAIL has sought to distinguish itself from other critical legal approaches through
its political and transformative commitments. We invite presentations and panels that seek to engage with these issues. For
instance, how do we understand and interrogate our roles as intellectuals in political life? What is the relationship between
our scholarly endeavors and societal structures; whether preserving the status quo, shaping reform, or advocating for radical
change? What are the various conduits that link our work as intellectuals with politicians, activists, advocates,
revolutionaries, civil servants, soldiers, artists, writers, union representatives, civil society leaders, peasant movements, and
so on? How does the idea of TWAIL as praxis relate to TWAIL as theory and/or method? How does it differ from other
notions of praxis?
As with previous TWAIL conferences, this is an opportunity for us to take stock and look to the future. It provides a forum for
the TWAIL community to reconnect – this time in the global South. At the same time, the conference seeks to deepen and
re-imagine engagement with underexplored alliances such as with indigenous movements, environmental issues, and
transnational intellectual and political actors in the Middle East and North Africa. To this end, the conference also seeks to
pursue relationships with potential interdisciplinary allies, whether scholars or practitioners, in cognate fields.
We welcome submissions of proposed presentations or panels (composed of three speakers) relating to the above themes.
Applications should include:
- An abstract of your proposed presentation (300 words maximum) or panel (900 words maximum).
- Your name(s), institutional affiliation(s), and contact information.
Applications should be emailed to twailcairo@gmail.com by 15 July 2014.
The conference will be hosted by the Department of Law at the American University in Cairo, with the support of the
National University of Ireland Maynooth, the University of Windsor, and Osgoode Hall Law School at York University.
Limited ground transportation and all conference catering, materials, and activities will be covered by the host organizations.
A limited amount of funding for travel costs and accommodation will be available to assist presenters based in the global
South on the basis of financial need. Please indicate at the time of submission if you will need such assistance.
We look forward to seeing you in Cairo.
