International Law Weekend 2023

Beyond International Law

Emerging Voices Panel – Call for Abstracts

Deadline: June 15, 2023 

This October 19-21, the American Branch will present International Law Weekend (ILW) 2023 in New York City. This two-and-a-half-day conference features over 30 panels, and many of the world’s leading international lawyers and diplomats participate. Recent ILWs have attracted an audience of over 1,200 practitioners, academics, U.N. diplomats, business leaders, federal and state government officials, NGO leaders, journalists, students, and interested citizens. ILW makes particular efforts to include emerging scholars and practitioners, including through the Emerging Voices panel.

ILW 2023 Theme: Beyond International Law

International law is at a crossroads. While there have been many successes, the system’s shortcomings still remain visible, exposed by prolonged armed conflicts, a lack of accountability for atrocities, a global pandemic followed by an economic downturn, and entrenched economic and social inequalities exacerbated by the disastrous effects of climate change. The time is ripe for the international legal community to consider what lies beyond current international law. If existing legal solutions fall short, how can international lawyers and leaders effectively harness their creativity to tackle the complex challenges of today? How does international law interface with other disciplines that also seek to promote peace and equality, such as domestic law, diplomacy, trade, social change movements, and global solidarity initiatives? How can international law adapt to become more effective in responding to the world’s shifting crises? ILW 2023 encourages participants to think beyond international law.

Call for Abstracts

The ILW Organizing Committee invites the submission of abstracts relating to the theme of “Beyond International Law.”  We will select several abstracts for presentation at ILW 2023 as part of a panel of new and emerging professionals. The abstracts may be based upon ongoing work. While all submissions are welcome, preference will be given to papers not already published. Accepted applicants will be invited to present their papers at the Emerging Voices panel, which will be chaired by a scholar or practitioner. In-person participation is strongly preferred, but virtual participation may be possible under certain circumstances. 

Eligibility is restricted to applicants working in the field of international law for five years or less. Accepted applicants are required to join ABILA and register for ILW 2023 (both are free to students, and otherwise carry a total fee of $145 for new members). Panelists are encouraged to attend other panels, plenary sessions, and to take part in the Members Meeting and networking events.

Application & Funding

The submission deadline is June 15, 2023. Submissions should be sent to [email protected] with the subject line “Emerging Voices – ILW 2023.” Applicants must submit all of the following in a single PDF document: 

(1) a 500 word abstract of their paper; 

(2) a cover letter:

– describing their professional development,

– explaining how their submission fits with the conference theme, and

– indicating whether they intend to participate in person; and,

(3) a curriculum vitae of no more than 3 pages. 

Submissions will be competitively selected in a peer review process.  Applicants will be notified by July 15, 2023. 

ABILA has secured funding to provide need-based reimbursement of Emerging Voices panelists’ travel and hotel costs, insofar as those costs are not covered by their institutions. The reimbursement limit is $1,500 for panelists traveling from within North America, and $2,500 for those traveling from elsewhere. Panelists seeking reimbursement will be asked to submit their receipts.

Questions may also be submitted to: [email protected].