Conference: 49th Annual Conference of the Canadian Council on International Law

The Canadian Council on International Law will hold its 49th Annual Conference virtually on October 29-30, 2020. The theme is "International Law in 2020: Fit for Purpose?" In addition, two webinars will precede the conference, on October 1 and October 15, and two will follow, on November 12 and November 26. The full program will be available here.

Call for Papers: 49th Annual Conference of the Canadian Council on International Law

The Canadian Council on International Law has issued a call for papers for its 49th Annual Conference, which will take place October 29-30, 2020, in Ottawa. The theme is "International Law in 2020: Fit for Purpose?" The call is here.

Call for Papers: The Eighth International Four Societies Conference

The American Society of International Law, the Australia and New Zealand Society of International Law, the Canadian Council on International Law, and the Japanese Society of International Law have issued a call for papers for the Eighth International Four Societies Conference, which will take place June 16-17, 2020, at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. The theme is "Beyond National Jurisdiction." The call is here.

Conference: Canadian Council on International Law 2019 Annual Conference

The 48th Annual Conference of the Canadian Council on International Law will take place October 24-25, 2019, in Ottawa. The theme is "Diversity and International Law." The program is here. Here's the idea:

International Law is a system that governs relations among a heterogenous group of states seeking to coexist and to collectively address thorny challenges. Diversity would seem to be a natural cornerstone, in terms of the individuals involved, the governance approaches taken, and the methodological approaches taken to studying international law. But how diverse is it, in reality?

This year’s conference of the Canadian Council of International Law invites participants to think critically about whether and how International Law is adequately accommodating and promoting diversity. For example:

• Does international law appropriately reflect the variety of states, peoples, and organizations that constitute the international community?
• Are international forums and institutions adequately diverse or representative? Or might they sometimes be used to restrain or impede diversity?
• How exactly are international institutions including the different perspectives of actors such as states, IOs, individuals, NGOs, and identity groups (such as women, indigenous peoples, LGBTQ)?
• What methodologies and techniques might international law use to better reflect legal and cultural diversity?

International law scholars, practitioners and students are invited to discuss these questions at the 48th annual conference of the CCIL through different eyes and from different perspectives.

Call for Papers: 48th Annual Conference of the Canadian Council on International Law

The Canadian Council on International Law has issued a call for papers for its 48th Annual Conference, which will take place October 24-25, 2019, in Ottawa. The theme is "Diversity and International Law." The call is here.

Conference: Canadian Council on International Law 2018 Annual Conference

The 47th Annual Conference of the Canadian Council on International Law will take place November 1-2, 2018, in Ottawa. The theme is "International Law at the Boundaries." The program is here. Here's the idea:

Populist movements in Brexit Britain and Trump America seek to reassert the primacy of national frontiers, after decades of increasing integration in politics, economics and law. But borders seem to offer no answer to climate change, mass migration, global capital flows or even, in the case of Putin’s Russia, territorial aggrandizement. And all of these transnational challenges arise at a time of rapid innovation: in a new technological context, have existing international legal norms been pushed to the boundaries of their usefulness?

Conference: Seventh International Four Societies Conference

On June 2-3, 2018, the American Society of International Law, the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law, the Canadian Council on International Law, and the Japanese Society of International Law will hold their seventh joint conference, in Tokyo. The theme is: "Changing Actors in International Law." The program is here.

Call for Papers: Seventh International Four Societies Conference

The American Society of International Law, the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law, the Canadian Council on International Law, and the Japanese Society of International Law have issued a call for papers for their seventh joint conference, to be held June 2-3, 2018, in Tokyo. The theme is: "Changing Actors in International Law." Members of each of these societies must be submit their proposals through their own society. The call is here: ANZSIL; ASIL; CCIL.

Conference: Canadian Council on International Law 2017 Annual Conference

The 46th Annual Conference of the Canadian Council on International Law will take place November 2-3, 2017, in Ottawa. The theme is "Canada at 150: The Return of History for International Law." The program is here. Here's the idea:

The key premises and institutions of the international order, which have endured since the end of the Second World War, are increasingly being challenged by powerful states, rising powers, populist movements, non-state organizations and multinational corporations. Fundamental questions are being asked in all areas of international law as to how the international legal framework and institutions may be reshaped.

In this context, the CCIL’s Annual Conference will encourage discussion and analysis on the following questions: What is the impact on international law of these changes? Where does Canada fit in the international order at a crucial point in history? How have experiences over the past 150 years prepared Canada for this evolving environment and affected Canada’s current approach to international law? What should Canada contribute to the reshaping of the international legal framework and institutions and how should Canada engage in this respect?

Call for Proposals: CCIL 46th Annual Conference/46e Congrès Annuel du CCDI

The Canadian Council of International Law has issued a call for proposals for its 46th Annual Conference, to take place November 2-3, 2017, in Ottawa. The theme is "Canada at 150: The Return of History for International Law/Le Canada à 150 ans : Le retour de l’histoire pour le droit international." The deadline for proposals is March 31, 2017. The call is here (English/French).

Conference: Canadian Council on International Law 2016 Annual Conference

The 45th Annual Conference of the Canadian Council on International Law will take place November 3-5, 2016, in Ottawa. The theme is "The Promise of International Law: Solutions for the World’s Crises" The program is here. Here's the idea:

In a global climate of accelerating change, there is a need to adapt quickly and implement solutions to address crises.

The term crisis can be applied to a variety of subjects based on social, political, economic, and environmental issues. In fact, it can be applied to almost any international law issue. For example, climate change,genocide, fluctuating oil prices, unstable economies, human migration, disease outbreak, poverty, consumerism/consumption, war, species extinctions, corporate instability, lack of governance, and more.

International law experts constantly have to adapt to stay relevant in this fluctuating world. But one may wonder whether we are moving fast enough with technology? Can treaties and governance helpin situations of constant changes? What about the differing levels of efficacy and enforceability? Is the current international legal system yielding enough solutions to addressnew crises? Most importantly, what are those potential solutions and what is the action-plan to move forward?

The term “crisis”itself raises question. Is it too abrasive? For instance, can the slowing economy and fluctuation of oil prices really be considered a crisis? Perhaps they are just cyclical challenges with solutions just around the corner. Even climate change, is it a crisis already? If not yet at that level, can a crisis on the international legal issues be averted through cooperation and international law? What are the crisis-prevention measures exactly, and what do they look like?

Call for Proposals: CCIL 45th Annual Conference

The Canadian Council of International Law has issued a call for proposals for its 45th Annual Conference, to take place November 3-5, 2016, in Ottawa. The theme is "The Promise of International Law: Solutions for the World’s Crises." The deadline for proposals is May 31, 2016. Here's the call:

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Canadian Council on International Law

45th Annual Conference

The Promise of International Law:
Solutions for the World’s Crises

Ottawa, Canada

November 3-5, 2016

I. Theme

"In a crisis, be aware of the danger – but recognize the opportunity."

― John F. Kennedy

In a world of accelerating change, there is a need to adapt quickly and implement solutions to address crises.

The term crisis can be applied to almost any international law issue when that issue reaches an undeniable intensity. The international community faces crises on numerous fronts across all dimensions: social, political, economic, and environmental.In fact, it can be applied to almost any international law issue. As such, international law has been called on to tackle pressing subjects like climate change, genocide, fluctuating oil prices, unstable economies, human migration, disease outbreak, poverty, consumerism/consumption, war, species extinctions, corporate instability, and lack of governance.

International law has often been called upon to provide the solution to these various crises. Sometimes, international law becomes the framework for international legal actors to resolve issues. Other times, international law is itself the solution to the problem. In what ways are international law being looked to and applied to the issues of today that are of most concern to the global community? What are those potential solutions and what is the action-plan to move forward?

But is the current international legal system yielding enough solutions to addressnew crises? International law may be falling short and losing relevance. International law experts constantly adapt to stay relevant in this fluctuating world. But are we keeping up? Is international law moving fast enough with technology? Can treaties and governance helpin situations of constant changes? What are the solutions therein? The term “crisis” itself raises several foundational questions of its own. Is it too abrasive? For instance, can the slowing economy and fluctuation of oil prices really be considered a crisis? Perhaps they are just cyclical challenges with solutions just around the corner. Is climate change at a crisis already? If not yet at that level, can a crisis on the international legal issues be averted through cooperation and international law? What are the crisis-prevention measures exactly, and what do they look like? Or does the international community require a crisis in order to galvanize?

All these issues, and more, will be discussed at the 45th Annual Conference of the Canadian Council on International Law (CCIL). Join us as we discuss solutions to the world’s crises.

II. Proposals

All types and topics for panel and paper proposals are welcome. When crafting the proposal, note and address the following, where applicable:

• All proposals must relate to the 45th Annual Conference theme: The Promise of International Law: Solutions for the World’s Crises.
• The CCIL encourages proposals from all sectors within the legal profession (academia, private law firms, NGO’s, and government lawyers).
• Diversity in speakers and panel composition from designated groups will be a focus when crafting the program.
• Creativity in proposals will also be a focus and we encourage deviation from traditional reading of a power point presentation, such as case studies, debates, ensuring interaction with audience such as extended Q&A, mock treaty negotiation, etc.
• Speaker duplicates during the Conference are discouraged (i.e. one speaker should not be on more than one panel).

Potential Topics - All areas of international law are welcome, for example:

• Public International Law; Air Law; Corporate Law; Courts and Tribunals; Dispute Resolution; Environmental Law; Human Rights; International Criminal Law; International Economic Law; International Intellectual Property Law; International Investment Law; International Judicial Institutions; International Organizations; State Responsibility; Law of the Sea/Maritime Law; Legal Theory; Migration Law; Nonproliferation, Arms Control and Disarmament Law; Refugee Law; Security Law; Space Law; State Jurisdiction (Customary Law); Technology Law; Territory and Land Frontiers; The Law of Armed Conflict/International Humanitarian Law (Military Occupation; War Crimes; International Armed Conflict); The United Nations/International Civil Service; Trade Law; Treaties and Other International Agreements; etc.

a). Panel Proposals

Panel proposals should be organized around the Conference theme and must include a brief description of the focus, format, and speakers.

Focus: The focus of the panel should be described including a presentation title, with descriptions of the particular sub-topics proposed (300 words maximum). Emphasis should be placed on the various perspectives on the sub-topic that will be presented. Solutions for each crisis must be offered.

Construction/Format: Diversity (i.e. Equal gender representation and/or designated group representation) and creativity in panel format(i.e. Deviation from traditional delivery methods), such as increased audience interaction, will be considered an asset.Formats should encourage audience interaction with an objective toward solution-making and teachable moments. Examples of creative panel formats include:

• Debates (ex. Theory vs. Practice)
• Case Studies;Real-life Experiences
• Mock negotiation/trial/arbitration/etc. (possibly based on a case, which can then be reviewed with the solution & applied law in reality)
• Roundtable
• Panels focused mainly on interaction with delegates, such as Q&A’s

Proposed Speakers: Include a list of the proposed speakers (minimum of 3 speakers) with their anticipated contributions, such as topics or titles. Note that:

• Proposed speakers must have already expressed a willingness and availability to participate in the Conference should the proposal be accepted.
• All speakers must be available each day of the Conference for assignment to a program timeslot (November 3-5, 2016).
• Designations/title, organization, and short biographies of the proposed Chair and speakers should be included with the proposal.
• Speakers will receive a 50% discount on the Conference fee.
• Speaker duplicates on different panels is discouraged (Speakers should not appear more than once on the program, which will be a factor in panel selection).

If accepted for the program, speakers must be confirmed and panels must be finalized and provided to the CCIL by September 26, 2016.CCIL will assign the date and time of the panel.  

b). Paper Proposals

Paper proposals should include a working title of the paper and an abstract (300 words maximum) describing the paper’s main thesis, methods, and contribution. Applicants should also include the designation/title, organization, and a short biography (200 words maximum). Solution(s) for any crisis in the proposal must be offered.

Authors of accepted proposals have the option to draft a paper on their proposed topic, and CCIL may publish the paper. Final papers should be sent to manager@ccil-ccdi.ca no later than November 1, 2016.

III. Submission Logistics

The Conference will take place at the department of Global Affairs Canada, 111 & 125 Sussex Drive, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, from November 3 to 5, 2016.

How to Submit: Please submit your proposal online.

Deadline: Proposals must be received no later than May 31, 2016.

Speaker Fees: All speakers will receive a 50% discount on Conference fees.

Speaker Availability: All proposed speakers must be available for the duration of the Conference (November 3-5, 2016) in order to be considered. If accepted, CCIL will assign the date and time of the panel on which the speaker will be participating. Dates and times of sessions may change during the planning process of the Conference.

Speaker Duplicates: Speaker duplicates during the Conference is discouraged (i.e. One speaker should not be on more than one panel).

The CCIL anticipates communicating acceptance decisions during the Summer and early Fall of 2016.

Please address any questions to the 2016 Conference Committee, via the CCIL Secretariat at manager@ccil-ccdi.ca.

Conference: Canadian Council on International Law 2015 Annual Conference

The 44th Annual Conference of the Canadian Council on International Law will take place November 5-7, 2015, in Ottawa. The theme is "International Law: Coherence or Chaos?" The program is here. Here's the idea:

International law operates today in a network of subject- and region-specific agreements and forums, with differing levels of efficacy and enforceability. Undoubtedly, specialized fields, such as the law of the sea, international humanitarian law, international criminal law, international trade law, and international investment law have developed into fully-functioning regimes. However, these self-contained regimes operate within the broader context of public international law. Amidst a proliferation of treaties, customary international law, and soft law norms, what are the applicable rules of international law? How can the rules be interpreted in a manner that ensures coherence within and between regimes? Some commentators maintain that specialization results in insulation and potential conflicts between regimes. Conversely, others argue that specialization leads to increased efficiency and protection of the rule of law.

What is the role of international courts and tribunals? Should they be the guardians of coherence and maintaining the rule of law in the face of the rapidly increasing number of treaties and cases? Is coherence of international norms across regimes necessary or to be desired? Within regimes, how much fragmentation or coherence is desired? Are international courts and tribunals different in this respect from domestic courts and tribunals? Contradictions abound in contemporary international law jurisprudence. On the one hand, the growing body of decisions in some regimes demonstrates consistency and coherence. Conversely, the lack of appellate review mechanisms and the non-binding nature of decisions in other regimes may lead to conflicts and chaos.

Is the complex, international legal system today becoming more coherent and cohesive or heading toward fragmentation and chaos? The 44th Annual Conference of the Canadian Council on International Law will examine these important issues and more.

Call for Papers: Sixth International Four Societies Conference

The American Society of International Law, the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law, the Canadian Council on International Law, and the Japanese Society of International Law have issued a call for papers for their sixth joint conference, to be held July 21-22, 2016, in Waterloo, Canada. The theme is "International Law, Innovation and the Environment." The call is here.

Call for Proposals: CCIL 44th Annual Conference

The Canadian Council of International Law has issued a call for proposals for its 44th Annual Conference, to take place November 5-7, 2015, in Ottawa. The theme is "International Law: Coherence or Chaos?" Here's the call:

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Canadian Council on International Law

44th Annual Conference

International Law: Coherence or Chaos?

Ottawa, Canada

November 5-7, 2015

I. Theme

The needs of an increasingly interconnected and functionally diversified society have radically transformed the international legal order. Early 20th-century accounts conceived of the international system as a hierarchical pyramid structure comprising relatively few norms, in which states, perceived as opaque and unitary actors (‘billiard balls'), interacted in a largely unconstrained manner. Contemporary international law, by contrast, resembles a dense web of overlapping and detailed prescriptions in subject areas as diverse as environmental protection, human rights and international trade. In light of such transformations, political and legal theorists have introduced the concept of the network as a competing structural paradigm of the legal order; they describe international law as a network of government officials, legislators and judges; as a deterritorialized ‘system of rule’ that has transformed the state; or as a flexible, horizontal structure of production of legitimacy spread throughout world space. And yet, while the network model accounts for the diversification of legal regimes and the multiplication of actors in the international legal process, many central building blocks of the traditional international legal system, such as the rules on diplomatic protection or state responsibility, have remained remarkably stable…. A central, and increasingly difficult task of the jurist consists in allocating authority in a system composed of both elements of hierarchical unity and multiple network structures in diverse issue areas.

Bruno Simma & Dirk Pulkowski, “Of Planets and the Universe: Self-Contained Regimes in International Law” (2006) 17 Eur. J. Int'l L. 483.

International law operates today in a network of subject- and region-specific agreements and forums, with differing levels of efficacy and enforceability. Undoubtedly, specialized fields, such as the law of the sea, international humanitarian law, international criminal law, international trade law, and international investment law, have developed into fully-functioning regimes. However, these self-contained regimes operate within the broader context of public international law. Amidst a proliferation of treaties, customary international law, and soft law norms, what are the applicable rules of international law? How can the rules be interpreted in a manner that ensures coherence within and between regimes? Some commentators maintain that specialization results in insulation and potential conflicts between regimes. Conversely, others argue that specialization leads to increased efficiency and protection of the rule of law.

What is the role of international courts and tribunals? Are they the guardians of coherence and maintaining the rule of law in the face of the rapidly increasing number of treaties and cases? Is coherence of international norms across regimes necessary or to be desired? Within regimes, how much fragmentation or coherence is tolerable? Or does it matter? Are international courts and tribunals different in this respect from domestic courts and tribunals? Contradictions abound in contemporary international law jurisprudence. On the one hand, the growing body of decisions in some regimes demonstrates increased coherence. Conversely, the lack of appellate review mechanisms and the non-binding nature of decisions in many regimes may lead to conflicts and chaos.

Is the complex, international legal system today becoming more coherent and cohesive or heading toward fragmentation and chaos? The 44th Annual Conference of the Canadian Council on International Law will examine these important issues and more!

II. Submission and Selection of Proposals

We encourage all international law scholars, practitioners, and graduate students to submit proposals for panels or papers. Proposals must be received no later than March 20, 2015. All proposals should be submitted to manager@ccil-ccdi.ca.

Panel proposals should be organized around a theme and should include a brief description of the theme. They should contain a list of the proposed participants with their anticipated contributions (topics or titles), indicating whether the participants have expressed a willingness to participate in the conference should the proposal be accepted. Short biographies of the proposed chair and speakers should be included. Proposals should be a maximum of 500 words and biographies a maximum of 200 words.

Paper proposals should include a working title of the paper and an abstract (400 words maximum) describing the paper’s main thesis, methods, and contribution. Applicants should also include a short biography (200 words maximum).

Any time-sensitive questions should be addressed to the conference co-chairs at clark.tori@gmail.com and debra.steger@uottawa.ca. We anticipate communicating acceptance decisions by May 4, 2015. Authors of accepted proposals will prepare a draft paper on their proposed topic, and submit the draft paper to manager@ccil-ccdi.ca by no later than November 1, 2015.

III. Panel and Paper Proposals Welcome in All Fields of International Law

Panel and paper proposals on topics consistent with the conference theme are welcome in all areas of international law, including:

• Public international law
• Dispute resolution
• International courts and tribunals
• International organizations
• International criminal law
• International environmental law
• International humanitarian law
• International intellectual property law
• International investment law
• International legal theory
• International migration law
• International law and technology
• International refugee law
• International security law
• International trade law
• Law of the sea
• Nonproliferation, arms control and disarmament law

The Conference will take place at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada in Ottawa, Canada from November 5 - 7, 2015.

Please understand that budget constraints prevent us from providing travel or other financial assistance to conference participants.

Debra Steger & Victoria Clark

Conference Co-chairs 2015

Conference: Canadian Council on International Law 2014 Annual Conference

The 43rd Annual Conference of the Canadian Council on International Law will take place November 13-15, 2014, in Ottawa. The theme is "Combustion: Energy, Resources and Environmental Issues Igniting International Law." The preliminary program is here. Here's the idea:

At a time when environmental degradation and the supply of energy are of increasing global concern, international law provides an opportunity for rules-based multilateralism. What is the role of international law in the promotion of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility? Is international law an influential tool to address climate change? What lessons can be gleaned from twenty years of arbitration under the North American Free Trade Agreement and Energy Charter Treaty?

The 2014 Annual Conference will explore the role of international law in global energy transactions, resource extraction and environmental issues. In particular, it will foster discussion of the international economic, humanitarian, and human rights facets of this theme. Topics will include but are not limited to the arbitration of mining and energy disputes, the role of the private sector in sustainable development, civil and criminal liability in the extractive industries, and the illegal wildlife trade. Confirmed speakers include representatives from the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes, various UN agencies, and leading global law firms.

Conference: Fifth International Four Societies Conference

On July 1-2, 2014, the American Society of International Law, the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law, the Canadian Council on International Law, and the Japanese Society of International Law will hold their fifth joint conference, at the Australian National University, in Canberra. The theme is "Experts, Networks and International Law." The program is here.

Call for Papers: CCIL 43rd Annual Conference

The Canadian Council of International Law has issued a call for papers for its 43rd Annual Conference, to take place November 13-15, 2014, in Ottawa. The theme is "Combustion: Energy, Resources, and Environmental Issues Igniting International Law." Here's the call:

The Canadian Council on International Law is pleased to announce its 43rd Annual Conference: "Combustion: Energy, Resources, and Environmental Issues Igniting International Law". Practitioners and legal scholars are invited to submit paper and presentation proposals relating to the theme of energy, natural resources, and related environmental issues.

At a time when environmental degradation and the supply of energy are of increasing global concern, international law provides an opportunity for rules-based multilateralism. What is the role of international law in the promotion of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility? Is international law an influential tool to address climate change? What lessons can be gleaned from twenty years of arbitration under the North American Free Trade Agreement and Energy Charter Treaty?

The 2014 Annual Conference will explore the role of international law in global energy transactions, resource extraction and environmental issues. In particular, it will foster discussion of the international economic, humanitarian, and human rights facets of this theme. Topics will include but are not limited to the arbitration of mining and energy disputes, the role of the private sector in sustainable development, civil and criminal liability in the extractive industries, and the illegal wildlife trade. Confirmed speakers include representatives from the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes, various UN agencies, and leading global law firms.

The Conference invites the active participation of practitioners, academics, and students in the international legal community. Paper proposals or summaries of proposed presentations in English or French should be no longer than a single page in length and should include a biographical statement or curriculum vitae. Proposals are due June 9, 2014 and should be sent to manager@ccil-ccdi.ca with "Annual Conference Call for Papers" in the subject line.

Call for Papers: Fifth International Four Societies Conference

The American Society of International Law, the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law, the Canadian Council on International Law, and the Japanese Society of International Law have issued a call for papers for their fifth joint conference and invite paper proposals from their members. The theme is "Experts, Networks and International Law." Here's the call:

The Fifth International Four Societies Conference

Australian National University

1-2 July 2014

Call for Papers

The international law societies of Australia and New Zealand, Canada, Japan and the United States of America (the “Four Societies”) have held four conferences bringing together early career scholars around a theme, generally leading to an edited conference volume. The underlying goal of this initiative is to foster a scholarly network between individuals associated with the four sponsoring societies. The first cycle of the Four Societies Project saw events hosted by the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law (ANZSIL) at University of Wellington in 2006, the Canadian Council on International Law held at Edmonton in 2008, the Japanese Society of International Law held on Awajishima Island in 2010, and the American Society of International Law held at Berkeley Law School in 2012 ANZSIL will host the Fifth International Four Societies Conference at the Australian National University on 1-2 July 2014, on the theme of Experts, Networks and International Law. The Steering Committee for the Fifth Conference now invites paper proposals from members of the Four Societies.

The Theme: Experts, Networks and International Law

A decade ago, in her book A New World Order, Anne-Marie Slaughter presented a novel answer to the question of how best to govern the world. Slaughter argued that global governance already existed, but that it was not to be found where most people expected to find it. She focused particularly on the emergence of ‘government networks’ as a ‘key feature of world order in the twenty-first century’ (1). Slaughter argued that it was necessary ‘to stop imagining the international system’ as a system of unitary states, and to start thinking about the ways in which states had become ‘disaggregated’ (5-6). The state could best be understood as the sum of its aggregate parts (legislatures, regulators, judiciaries), with those parts increasingly having the capacity (and at times the imperative) to interact with their foreign counterparts in order to address issues of common concern. For Slaughter, the emergence of a ‘world of government networks’ was not just an ‘underappreciated’ fact of international life (1), but also offered ‘a more effective and potentially more just world order’ than either ‘what we have today’ or ‘a world government in which a set a global institutions perched above nation-states enforced global rules’ (7). Government networks, operating alongside international institutions, could often provide a more efficient and just way of ordering a globalized world: more efficient, because management of transnational problems (such as pandemics, natural disasters, or terrorism) required flexibility and an ability to harmonize and coordinate government responses between counterpart national officials; more just, because the decentralized and dispersed nature of networks, when guided by principles such as deliberative equality, legitimate difference, positive comity and subsidiarity, were able to exercise power without a centralized coercive authority (30). Slaughter concluded that ‘(g)lobal governance through government networks is good public policy for the world’ – a ‘world order self-consciously created out of horizontal and vertical government networks could … create a genuine global rule of law without centralized global institutions’ (261).

This conference will reflect upon how the vision of a new world order based upon networked, disaggregated state institutions has held up over the past ten years. How has this ideal of global governance fared in the face of world events since 2004 (such as the Global Financial Crisis and the Arab Spring), or the perceived failure to achieve consensus on core policy questions relating to pressing global issues such as climate change, agricultural liberalisation, international criminal prosecution, the responsibility to protect, or financial market reform? Does international law today in fact operate through diffused networks? Have (and how have) domestic courts lived up to their promise in enforcing a new transnational legal system? What do empirical studies of networks reveal about their effectiveness as mechanisms of decision- making and governance? Do network principles of ‘harmonisation’ and ‘convergence’ work in ‘hard’ issue areas (such as security, scarcity, and global redistribution)? How does power operate within and between transnational networks? Is strengthening governance by experts across fields such as policing, counter-terrorism, environmental protection, human rights promotion, food safety, public health, financial regulation, international criminal prosecution, investment liberalisation, and security sector reform equally desirable and effective? What is the power of networks and norm entrepreneurs in setting global policy agendas, and how much control do global policy-makers really have over the implementation of those agendas? Do networks complement or compete with traditional institutions of global governance, and how do these dynamics vary in different institutional and substantive settings? Should international lawyers support the development of global governance through government networks, or should they take a more critical approach to the rise of networked governance? The 2014 Four Societies conference provides an opportunity for exploring these and related aspects of the broad theme of experts, networks and international law. We encourage proposals from both theoretical and practical perspectives, and from all areas of international law. We welcome applications from those who are interested in working within the discipline of international law, as well as those taking an interdisciplinary approach to the theme.

Submission of Proposals and the Process of Selection

Applications to take part in the conference should include a paper description not exceeding 300 words and the applicant’s curriculum vitae. Papers should cover work that has not been published. The Four Societies intend to publish the papers in an edited collection with a leading international publisher. Submissions should be sent by e-mail to the Society of which the applicant is a member; applicants who are members of more than one of the Societies should make a submission to only one Society. The deadline for submission of proposals is February 1, 2014. Submissions should be made to the following individuals:

ANZSIL: Professor Anne Orford a.orford@unimelb.edu.au

ASIL: Ms Elizabeth Andersen events@asil.org

CCIL: Professor Joanna Harrington Joanna.Harrington@ualberta.ca

JSIL: Professor Akio Morita a.morita@hosei.ac.jp

Each sponsoring society will select four papers, subject to the review and approval of the Steering Committee comprised of members from the Four Societies. Preference will be given to papers by those who are in the early stages of their careers. The selected participants will be notified in March 2014. Each participant will submit a full paper to the organizers by 1 June 2014 for distribution to the other participants. Transportation to the venue will be subject to arrangement between each sponsoring organisation and its conference participants (and may include the seeking of internal university support or use of an existing grant). Lodging and meals at the venue during the conference will be provided by ANZSIL. The working language of the Conference will be English.

Conference: Canadian Council on International Law 2013 Annual Conference

The 42nd Annual Conference of the Canadian Council on International Law will take place November 14-16, 2013, in Ottawa. The theme is "Contemporary Actors and their Actions: A New Look at the Formation of International Law." The preliminary program is here. Here's the idea:

This year’s CCIL Annual Conference will discuss how international law is formed in 2013 and who contributes to its formation.

International law today draws more and more on actions and actors that traditionally were not seen as sources of international law. Examples include voluntary codes of corporate conduct established by corporations acting together, human rights guidance developed by non-governmental organizations supported by individuals in many countries, and interactions between international organizations whose memberships are not limited to states.

The growing impact of these “new” actors’ actions on the international stage might suggest that a radical re-thinking of the sources of international law is in order. Or perhaps not. The conference will explore that question from a variety of perspectives, including a concrete study of the many types of entities active on the international legal arena and the activities in which they are engaged.