Shaping International Law in Times of Global Transformation: Australian Contributions
Western Sydney University, 26-28 February 2025
The current state of global uncertainty is underpinned by simultaneous crises of global health, global peace and security and global trade tensions. While this muti-faceted destabilisation of the international legal order can appear unprecedented, the world has experienced transformative periods of this kind before. For example, each of World War I, World War II, the Cold War and the attacks of September 11 were key periods of significant global transformation, with each generating new forms of international law and governance. These periods, and the years immediately following them, provide fertile ground for an examination of exercises of Australian influence in the development of international law. They also represent pivotal moments of transition for Australia’s engagement in international affairs and for Australia’s relationships with states and institutions beyond its borders.
This conference seeks to investigate, understand and evaluate how Australia has shaped international law in key periods of global transformation. The conference organisers welcome contributions from all disciplines, including law, history, politics, and more. Doctoral scholars, post-doctoral scholars and early career researchers are particularly encouraged to apply. The organisers invite submission of papers on the main theme of how Australia and Australians have influenced, or failed to influence, the development of international law in times of global transformation. Papers may address related sub-questions, including but not limited to:
- In what circumstances have Australian diplomats, politicians and lawyers exercised influence, or failed to exercise influence, in the development of international law?
- What other Australian individuals and organisations, both with a government/official/representative platform, as well as those sitting outside those traditional sites of Australian diplomacy have shaped the development of international law?
- What means or methods have the above-mentioned individuals, groups and organisations used in their successful and failed exercises of influence in the development of international law?
- What other factors, for example the actions of other states, have contributed to the success or failure of Australian efforts to influence the development of international law?
Submission of papers:
Please submit an abstract of 300 words and a biographical paragraph of 150 words to globaltransformations@latrobe.edu.au by Monday, 9 December 2024. Successful applicants will be notified by email by 20 December 2024.
Some travel bursaries are available for individuals who need it. Please identify and explain the need for a travel bursary in your submission.
Substantive enquiries may be addressed to Professor Christopher Michaelsen, School of Law, Western Sydney University. C.Michaelsen@westernsydney.edu.au.
Global Transformations 