Theme
The theme of this year’s conference is “Canada at 150: The Return of History for International Law”. 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.
This upheaval across the international order was characterized by Professor Jennifer Welsh in the 2016 Massey Lectures as the “return of history”, a counterpoint to Francis Fukuyama’s 1989 essay “The End of History?”. Rather than, as Fukuyama argued, the world attaining “the universalization of Western liberal democracy as the final form of human government”, Welsh set out how the struggles of the past, when Western liberal democracy was only one of several competing systems of government, have returned with a vengeance to challenge the fundamental precepts of the international order.
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?
Important considerations:
Proposals may be submitted for sessions (e.g. panels) and for keynote speakers. While proposals for a complete session are preferred, proposals for individual speakers who could form part of a session will also be considered.
Proposals must be connected to the conference theme.
Proposals related to any area of international law are welcome. Sessions are anticipated to be grouped loosely into three streams: trade law, environmental law/law of the sea, humanitarian law/ human rights but this should not deter proposals regarding other areas or cross-cutting topics.
Creative ideas for sessions that are not in traditional panel format (a moderator and three speakers with individual presentations) are encouraged.
Proposed sessions should be suitable for accreditation from law societies for professional development purposes.
Proposals are welcome from all sectors within the legal profession (private sector, government, academia etc.) and also from practitioners of other disciplines with a strong connection to the theme.
The conference is seeking speakers who are diverse with significant expertise in their field and an engaging presentation style. The conference is also seeking a balance of well-known and new speakers.
Individuals are encouraged to speak as part of only one session.
Speakers will receive a 50% discount on the conference fee. CCIL is not usually able to pay for travel expenses.
Speakers should be available 2-3 November 2017 as organizers will assign the date and time of the session.
Organizers intend to communicate decisions regarding proposals by no later than 8 May 2017.
How to submit a proposal:
In an email titled CCIL Call for Proposals, please send the following information, in English or French, in the body of the email or as a Word or PDF attachment, to ccilconference@gmail.com by no later than 31 March 2017:
the title of the session;
a description of the session that is brief but sufficient to convey the connection to the theme, the main points that will be covered and the format;
the names of the proposed speaker(s) and a brief bio for each speaker; and
an email address and phone number for the main point of contact for the proposal.
Should you have any questions, please contact the organizers at the following address: ccilconference@gmail.com