WISC 2011 - WISC 2011: Third Global International Studies Conference

In many societies, ‘crisis’ is associated with instability, threat, change and/or conflict. Crises have consequences and affects the ideas and interests of individuals, groups and states. In the 1990s, the world passed through the crisis produced by the end of the Cold War. In the 2000s, recurring economic and financial crises led to the worsening of crises related to environmental, migration and terrorist problems. Consequences in the international community and world political institutions have been important and apparent, although the outcomes remain unclear today. The theme of the Conference suggests two possible ways out of the crisis and invites debate on the existing expert views and scientific knowledge in order to make clear the nature of the international community in the years to come.

The authority structure, policy agenda, and the very nature of the global political system have been importantly affected by the crisis. The United Nations’ action for promoting democracy and responsibility at the world level, the extension of the global public space to new policy issues, and the continuing rise of non-state actors to effective international role are examples of the reactions to face the world crisis consequences. Are reactions like these prompting revolutionary change or an evolutionary transformation of the global system? Or instead, does the opposite hold true, because the stability and continuity factors are stronger than the factors of transformation and change? The contribution of empirical analysts and theorists of all schools is very much welcome to answer the questions raised by the Conference theme, and to interpret the current world crisis and its future.

The proposal of panels or papers on related themes, like those in the list here below, is also welcomed by the Programme Committee.

Political theory and international justice
Principles and practice of international ethics
Security cooperation at the regional level
Beyond the state: regional blocks and world politics
Anarchy, order and power in world politics
New trends in foreign policy analysis
Quantitative and qualitative methods in IR research
NGOs-IGOs relations
Environmental issues and green diplomacy
IR and the new social research schools of methodology
Culture, religions, and world politics
International negotiation and diplomacy
International political economy
Sovereignty and territory in contemporary world
Strategic studies
New perspectives on humanitarian action and intervention
Technology and the new global threats
War, peace, and communication
Demographic pressure, pandemics, and global health problems
Collective security and sanction policy
Feminist perspectives on IR and the global governance crisis
PROPOSALS
Individuals may propose sections, panels or papers by completing the attached form to be available very soon on this website. A section consists of a number of panels (up to 10) on a particular theme. A panel consists of up to four papers, a discussant/chairperson, or it can take the form of a Round Table. Each panel lasts for 90 minutes. Paper-givers will have no more than 12 minutes for their presentation, as will the discussant. Chairpersons of both panels and Round Tables should leave 30 minutes for discussion from the floor.

Papers will be given in English. Overhead projectors will be available and powerpoint presentation will be possible. A paper will be allocated to an appropriate panel, tabled or rejected. A tabled paper is an official contribution to the Conference but one that will not be discussed in a panel due to the exigencies of time, space or topic. Such papers may be uploaded on the Conference website. Section and Panel proposals should include an international element among its participants or the Programme Committee may exercise its prerogative to include such an element. It is expected that paper givers will circulate their paper to all other participants on their panel.

The Conference is open to all members of any WISC member organization and to others with like interests in the scholarly and practical aspects of international studies. The Programme Committee reserves the right to refuse permission to participate. Decisions of the Programme Committee are final.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS: 30 NOVEMBER 2010
The deadline for responding to submissions is 1 February 2011. The Programme Committee will, however, confirm acceptance of submissions before the deadline. This implies that early submission is recommended. Proposals received after the deadline are unlikely to be included in the Programme.

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PAPER AND PANEL PROPOSALS:
Fulvio Attinà, Programme Chair
Department of Political Studies, University of Catania
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 49
95131 Catania ? Italy
http://wisc2011.up.pt/?p=call
Email: wisc-AT-unict.it (for queries concerning the programme)