11th ISYP Conference: Call for Papers

ISYP is pleased to announce that the application process for its 11th international conference is now open. The conference will take place on 28-29 February 2020 in Doha, immediately before the 63rd Pugwash Conference. Demand to be Heard: Next generation Contributions to Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation 11th International Student/Young Pugwash (ISYP) Conference Doha, Qatar – February 28-29, 2020 On the occasion of the 63rd Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs, “Dialogue not Confrontation: Nuclear Risks and Conflict Resolution”, International Student/Young Pugwash (ISYP) invites students and young scholars and professionals from around the world to participate in an international conference that will address the global impact of national and regional security issues from a critical and interdisciplinary perspective. The 11th ISYP Conference will focus on the crucial roles that experts from the sciences and humanities play in this challenging time for international security, arms control and conflict resolution. In recent years, the international community has witnessed the collapse of the traditional arms control architecture. The current return to arms competition led to a gap between international dialogue on strong arms control agreements and domestic efforts to protect countries through armament. The resulting lack of trust created a situation where governments regularly neglect scholarly research on certain polarizing questions, research institutions are sidelined for political reasons, and public funding for scholarship has decreased. During the 1950s, the Pugwash movement empowered scientists from all over the world, gave them a venue to express their concerns about the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and it also created an opportunity for governments to communicate and settle their differences in a peaceful way. Today, the need to continue in that spirit is more urgent than ever. It is necessary to re-emphasize the value of thorough expertise and scientific approaches to overcome pressing global and regional problems. ISYP aims to provide the next generation a unique opportunity to address potential sources of conflict, and come up with new and innovative solutions to our greatest security challenges. The 11th ISYP Conference seeks to provide a space for young professionals and emerging scholars to engage in a dialogue and exchange ideas with the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs. The 11th ISYP Conference will gather participants from various disciplinary backgrounds that are necessary to understand, analyze, and influence national, regional and global security issues. The ISYP conference will focus on the following areas: 1. The role of nuclear weapons in the world and the future of arms control 2. Verification and compliance with international treaties and agreements 3. Emerging technologies and related threats to regional and global security 4. Energy security, environmental changes, and subsequent implications 5. Preventing a new arms race: The next generation of arms control and disarmament experts addressing policy makers Application information: The ISYP Executive Board and the organizers of the 11th ISYP Conference in Doha, Qatar, invite students and young professionals, both members and non-members of ISYP, to submit applications to participate in this event. Participants should contribute to at least one of the five areas mentioned above. To apply please complete the online application form. The application requires an abstract of the proposed paper (max. 200 words), and a personal statement (max. 500 words) on why you would make a good participant at this conference. Applications must be submitted no later than November 17, 2019. Successful applicants will be contacted in December 2019. On acceptance, participants are required to complete a paper of a high academic standard (no longer than 10 pages) and submit the paper to the organizers before January 31, 2020. Participants will present their papers at the ISYP conference. The participants of the ISYP conference are expected to attend (and will be included as full members of) the 63rd Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs “Dialogue not Confrontation: Nuclear Risks and Conflict Resolution” that takes place immediately following the ISYP conference (March 1-5, 2020). Logistical information: The local costs of meals and accommodation for the duration of both the Student/Young and the senior Pugwash conferences will be covered for ISYP participants. The working language for both conferences will be English. Participants carry the responsibility to raise their own travel funds. There is a limited amount of funding available for participants from developing countries under exceptional circumstances to obtain partial travel assistance from the Pugwash organization. ISYP can assist selected candidates who are able to identify potential sources of funding for their travel expenses by providing additional information about the conference. Many nationalities no longer require a visa to travel to Qatar – for more information please see the information on the Visit Qatar website. For participants who will require an advance visa to travel to Doha, Qatar, the local organizers will provide an invitation letter for the visa application and assist you. Please direct all additional information and general inquiries to the ISYP-Board: board@isyp.org