Call for papers
CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY, RULE OF LAW AND THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL) is the legal advisory body of the African Union, thereby contributing to the objectives and principles of the African Union, particularly being committed to defending the interests of the African continent in the world through gradual development and codification of international law on the continent.
In implementing its mandate, AUCIL carries out a series of programs and activities such as AUCIL Forums which are organized every year and constitute a platform for discussion and interaction on issues of interest to Africa, viewed through the prism of International Law and African Union Law. It has long been a tradition in AUCIL to follow current events in the field of international law in the course of its Forums. Once again, the AUCIL has been faithful to this search for signs of evolution in the international field by devoting, during its 17th Ordinary session in Addis Ababa (March-April 2019), the choice of the theme for its 8th Forum on «Constitutional Democracy, Rule of Law and the fight against corruption ". The powerful wave of democratization that swept through the continent in the 1990s and set in motion a series of changes in the constitutional landscape of African states is now taking on new forms and raising new issues in this respect, particularly in the face of the phenomenon of corruption. Corruption, as such is neither a new nor peculiarly African phenomenon. Nevertheless, as evidence grows daily that it undermines development and stability, it is fair to say that its consequences are more deleterious on the importance of and challenges in implementing and enforcing constitutional democracy and Rule of Law. Although not pretending to exhaust the entire breadth and depth of the theme, the 8th Forum, which will take place on 2-3 December 2019, aims to put a pluralistic contribution to already existing debates by taking stock of recent dynamics and proposals; and thereafter, drafting alternatives to move beyond challenges of constitutional democracy and the rule of law, particularly in the context of fighting against corruption. In view to provide experts, researchers and decision-makers with an opportunity to address and discuss these issues and other aspects which have not been formulated here, the AUCIL Secretariat is launching a call for papers. AUCIL extends a special invitation for youth/young professionals (with a final year degree, aged below 35 years) to also respond to this Call for Papers. A dedicated forum segment for the views of this group is under consideration. Contributions can cover, inter alia, the following areas:
- Identification of the sources, the forces of attraction, the dominant practice, and the paradoxes of African constitutionalism in the perspective of fighting corruption
- The nature and scope of socio-economic factors in determining the making process of the legal rules against corruption. What perspectives of conceptual evolution and approach during this 21st Century?
- Evaluation of the place and the involvement of different actors, (internal or external; state or non-state; collective bodies operating either at continental or sub-regional level, etc.) in enhancing the prospects for constitutionalism, the rule of law and the fight against corruption.
- The impact of AU legal and policy instruments in the fight against corruption through the strengthening of the rule of law.
- The role and impact of control mechanisms (jurisdictional or non-judicial, national, regional or continental) in the protection of constitutional democracy and the rule of law, particularly with a view to combating corruption.
- Within the strait-jacket of the theme of the 8th Forum, sectoral issues with particular resonance on the African continent, such as the transition from State failure to State Building, conditional public development aid, governance of management natural resources, the fight against illicit financial flows, etc.
- Relevant African case law on the constitutionalism in the frame of fight against corruption
Abstracts of no more than 500 words, written in English or French and including the author’s name and e-mail address, should be submitted to the following e-mail address: OLC-Registry@africa-union.org A one-page curriculum vitae should be attached to the abstract.
The deadline for submission of abstracts is 15 October. Successful applicants will be notified via e-mail by 30 October 2019 and are expected to produce the final paper (8000-10000 words approx.) by 30 November 2019. Papers will be peer-reviewed before final acceptance for publication. AUCIL will cover the accommodation and travel costs for presenters chosen to present their papers.