26th Annual ANZSIL Conference
Call for PapersConference Theme: International Law:
From the Local to the GlobalConference dates: 5 - 7 July 2018
Victoria University of Wellington's Faculty of Law, New Zealand
Closing date for Call for Papers and Panels: 2 March 2018
Please read the following before submitting your paper proposal or panel proposal using the application form below.
The 26th ANZSIL Annual Conference will take place from Thursday 5 to Saturday 7 July 2018 at Victoria University of Wellington’s Faculty of Law, New Zealand. The Conference Organising Committee now invites proposals for papers to be presented at the Conference, either individually, or as a panel.
International law practice and scholarship is increasingly confronted by the tension between the global aspirations and traditions of international law and the impact of more local demands. Law and institutions that have been built upon state-centric institutions and universalist aspirations face the challenge of shifts in regional perspectives; the impact of legislatures, referenda and other national political processes; development and sometimes divergence in national foreign relations law; and the capacities of non-state actors. The 26th ANZSIL Annual Conference will be an opportunity to explore these themes as they arise across a range contexts.
The intersection of domestic law and politics with international law
The 2017 ANZSIL Conference explored the role of international law in an age of nationalism, which is continuing to have an influence in many states. How do domestic law and politics affect international law? Are some national legal systems becoming more open or more closed to international influences? If so what are the reasons for this? And to what extent are there major differences in the ways in which national legal systems conceptualise international law? Does this undermine assumptions about the universality of international law?
The intersection between regionalism and globalism
There is ongoing tension in international law between the development of global rules and institutions, and the ascendancy of regionalism – as seen for example in the preference for regional trade agreements over new WTO rules and the argument that the international community has no role to play in security disputes in particular regions. Does this move challenge the international rule of law, or is it an opportunity for international law to respond to the needs of particular groups of states?
The emergence of new (and old) global challenges
New challenges are arising for the international community all the time. Meanwhile, the existing challenges continue, but in a time at which national interests are sometimes being promoted over the stability of the international order. Are the existing international legal frameworks capable of effectively responding to these developments? Are the principles on which our international legal order are based under threat? Or can we be confident that the international rule of law is sufficiently robust that our contemporary challenges are no more problematic than those that arose in the past?
Particular issues of interest may include, for example:
- International or foreign policy-making and social media
- Journalism, international media conglomerates and democracy
- Data protection and innovation, trade and investment promotion
- Balancing surveillance needs with data protection
- Between local and global: the challenges of cybersecurity
- Protection of the environment in the climate change era (including domestic barriers to international climate change objectives)
- International or cross-border migration and the future labour force
- The future of international (development) aid and regional issues (especially in relation to the Pacific)
- Transnational cooperation and non-legally binding international instruments
- The role of culture and customs in international law
- International challenges and opportunities for middle powers
The Conference Organising Committee invites paper submissions reflecting on these themes in any area of public and private international law, including (but not limited to): human rights; the law of the sea; international humanitarian law; international trade law; international investment law; international financial regulation; international environmental law; international criminal law; global administrative law, including the law surrounding sanctions; international diplomatic and consular law, including diplomatic protection and immunities; international legal pedagogy; international legal theory; international legal history; anthropologies, sociologies or geographies of international law; and/or the ethics or politics of international law.
Also invited are proposals for panels comprised of three to four papers in circumstances where the presenters concerned are already in conversation, or would find it useful to be so assembled. Proposed panels are expected to have a balanced gender representation. Those proposing panels are also invited to seek out a diversity of presenters in other respects as well, including the stage of their career, type and place of work, discipline or sub-discipline, and so on.
In the tradition of ANZSIL Conferences, the Conference Organising Committee also invites and welcomes proposals on international law topics not connected to the Conference theme.
Submission of Paper Proposals
Those proposing papers for presentation at the Conference should submit a single Word document comprised of:
The information requested above should be provided in a single Word document entitled “ANZSIL Conference 2018 Paper Proposal: [Your Name] [Title of Paper]”. Please submit your paper proposal using the application form.
- an abstract of no more than 250 words (papers with extracts in excess of 250 words will not be considered);
- a biographical note of no more than 200 words (for possible inclusion in the conference program); and
- a one-page curriculum vitae.
Submission of Panel Proposals
Those proposing panels for presentation at the Conference should submit a single document comprised of:
- a synopsis of no more than 250 words, explaining the rationale and theme of the panel; and
- three or four paper proposals, including in each case the information requested above (250-word abstract, 200-word biographical note and one-page curriculum vitae).
The information requested above should be provided in a single Word document entitled “ANZSIL Conference 2018 Panel Proposal: [Your Name] [Title of Proposed Panel]”. Please submit your panel proposal using the application form.
Process and Dates
The closing date for proposals is Friday, 2 March 2018. The Conference Organising Committee will endeavour to inform applicants of the outcome of their proposals by early April 2018. All presenters will be required to register for the Conference by Monday, 15 May 2018 to be included in the final Conference program. Further information about the Conference, including program and registration details, will be available on the ANZSIL website.
