2021 SIEL Global Conference: 8-10 July 2021
Rethinking Global Economic Governance
The Seventh Biennial Global Conference of the Society of International Economic Law (SIEL) will take place as a virtual conference in collaboration with Bocconi University, Milan / Italy, on 8-10 July 2021.
I. Conference Content
Even prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, international economic relations were at an inflection point. The rules and institutions that have governed international economic law (IEL) since the end of World War II are increasingly questioned at the national, regional and global level. The future, or even survival, of core institutions is seriously questioned and multiple proposals for reform of international trade, investment and financial law and governance have been tabled.
The 2021 SIEL Global Conference invites participants to reflect on the question to what extent the existing rules and institutions of international economic governance are capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century. The Conference is open to academics, practitioners and government officials to present their views on these challenges and the ways to address them. The Conference Organizing Committee encourages the submission of proposals for papers and panels on topics of interest in all fields of international economic law. Without excluding proposals on other topics, the Committee would welcome in particular proposals for papers and panels on:
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The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on international economic law and policy (trade, investment, finance, intellectual property)
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The role of international economic law and policy in addressing climate change and achieving the UN sustainable development goals
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The future of systems for a rules-based resolution of international trade and investment disputes and the design of new types of remedy for breach of obligations
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New forms of and formats for successful trade and investment negotiations (e.g. EU and UK FTAs, documents relating to the Belt and Road Intitative)
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The impact of regional economic integration (e.g. RCEP, AfCFTA, USMCA, and EU FTAs) and disintegration (e.g. Brexit) on international economic law and policy
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The digitalisation of trade and finance, and the need for innovative international regulation regarding inter alia digital currencies and payments
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Intellectual property and artificial intelligence
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New rules on industrial subsidies and the activities of state-owned enterprises
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Special and differential treatment and the issue of developing country status in international economic institutions
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Trade and gender
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Trade, investment and corporate responsibility along the supply chain.
We invite proposals that fall within the following categories:
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Individual paper or poster proposals. While not excluding proposals on other topics, preference will be given to paper or poster proposals on the topics listed above. Paper or poster proposals must not exceed 400 words. Only one proposal per person is allowed.
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Panel proposals. While not excluding proposals on other topics, preference will be given to panel proposals on the topics listed above. Suggested panelists must have agreed to participate in the Conference. Should one or more panelists be unable to participate, the Conference Organizing Committee reserves the right to substitute for the(se) panelist(s), or to merge panels, should a significant number of panelists not be able to participate. Panel proposals, including short bios of the panelists, must not exceed 800 words.
In making a choice between the paper, poster and panel proposals submitted, the Conference Organizing Committee will want to give an opportunity to early career scholars and practitioners as well as to scholars and practitioners of parts of the world often under-represented at international conferences, to make their voices heard.
The Conference will have plenary and concurrent panels. Each panel will be moderated and commentators may be invited to react to the papers presented. We ask that each paper and panel proposal be accompanied by a set of guiding questions (1-2 for paper proposals and 3-4 for panel proposals) and an indication for the target audience the proposal is trying tor each. Given that participants will be in different time zones, we will make every effort to accommodate suitable times throughout the days of the conference.
II. Submission Procedure and Instructions
Paper, poster and panel proposals must be submitted by 22 February 2021 (midnight GMT) via the dedicated web-form, available at https://forms.gle/4xYYqttWft1NigLM9.
In evaluating proposals, please note that priority will be given to unpublished papers/posters and works in progress. We generally do not permit individuals to serve on multiple panels. If you submit a paper proposal and are also listed in a panel proposal, we will consider both proposals, but reserve the right to choose which proposal is the better fit for the overall composition of the Conference programme. Every proposal will be reviewed by at least two members of the Conference Organizing Committee on a double-blind and confidential basis. The Conference Organizing Committee anticipates announcing the results of this call for paper, poster and panel proposals by 22 March 2021.
Conference papers will be made available to conference participants prior to the conference. Accepted papers (from paper and panel proposals) must be submitted by 15 June 2021, in order to ensure the dissemination of papers among conference attendees. Papers from the previous conferences were published online as part of a working paper series on SSRN’s Legal Scholarship Network.
III. Conference Fees
The fees for this online conference will be kept as low as possible.
IV. Enquiries
Please submit enquiries to sielconference2021@gmail.com.