IPSA RC 41 Fourth International Workshop on

GEOPOLITICS OF SMALL STATES IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Monday, 18 October – Tuesday, 19 October 2021

Yerevan, Armenia

 

Russian-Armenian University

Chair of World Politics and International Relations

 

UPDATED ANNOUNCEMENT / CALL FOR PAPERS

DEADLINE – March 1, 2021

 

On July 15, 2020 due to the COVID-19 situation, the IPSA RC41 on Geopolitics, made the difficult decision to postpone the IPSA RC 41 Fourth International Workshop on Geopolitics to October 18-19, 2021.

The Workshop venue, Russian-Armenian University in Yerevan, Armenia will remain the same. The main theme of the Workshop, "Geopolitics of Small States in the 21st century", will not change and all accepted papers will be maintained.

Additionally, to give the opportunity to new participants to attend the Workshop, we open an additional call for submissions.

The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2021.

 

UPDATED CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:

The intended Workshop: "Fourth International Workshop on Geopolitics of Small States in the 21st Century" in Yerevan, Armenia represents the fourth international conference organized by IPSA’s Research Committee (RC 41) on Geopolitics following those convened in Moscow (2010), Jerusalem (2013), and Austin, Texas (2019).

The two-day workshop is designed to bring together up to fifteen leading scholars on small states to discuss political, security, economic, geopolitical, and technological issues in the world which impact small states in terms of sustainable development and chances for international maneuver. This will allow: (a) discussing the main challenges and threats to the global and regional security architecture and (b) exploring possibilities for small states to transform these challenges and threats into opportunities for prosperity, peace, and cooperation.

Accordingly, the Yerevan Workshop will be conducted in an open discussion format, with scholarly presentations divided into 3 panel sessions, with 3 – 4 papers at each session, followed by additional discussion among the academic participants, representatives of the government/policy and private sector professional communities and the Russian-Armenian University student and faculty campus audience. Once the panelists have concluded their presentations, a designated discussant will then respond with a brief set of oral comments (10-15 minutes), after which each panel chair will open the floor to questions and comments (45-60 minutes) from the audience.

The 3 panel themes are devoted to:

The future of small states in the changing world order: The art of maneuver in the face of rising great power competition

The session will collect contributions on the changing international security environment, the new face of global and regional power competition, as well as its impact on formation and transformation of foreign policy agendas in different parts of the world. This session will also attract contributions on the role of international organizations in fostering interests of small states.

Technology, innovation, and small states in a changing international environment

This session brings together scholars to discuss the impact of technological developments (4th Industrial Revolution, AI, robotics, cyber security, etc.) upon the international relations of small states.

Small states, big nations: The power of Diasporas and other networks in traditional power relations

The third session will focus on non-traditional means of national power, such as Diaspora and other networks of cooperation, to enhance the role and influence of small states in the international arena.

 

Anyone wishing to participate in the 2021 RC-41 Yerevan Workshop and to contribute by addressing any of the above topics is invited to submit an initial paper proposal.

The Proposal and/or Abstract (limited to 750 words or less) should be sent to Ruben Elamiryan rub.elamiryan@gmail.com and to Igor Okunev okunev_igor@yahoo.com

Final date for submission 1 March 2021

Notice of Acceptance 20 April 2021

No Registration fee is required.

Acceptance is conditioned, however, upon the participant’s commitment to full, active attendance at all panel sessions and discussions throughout the two days of the Workshop, in addition to one paper presentation.

Participants in the 2021 Yerevan International Workshop are expected to cover all personal transportation arrangements and expenses. Limited IPSA conference travel grants may be available upon special request to help defray partial air fare costs for junior scholars or in exceptional cases.

Hotel accommodations (three nights from October 17 to October 20) during the Workshop will be provided for direct participants courtesy of Russian-Armenian University.

All Workshop sessions will be held on the campus of Russian-Armenian University.

 

Timeline:

15 December 2019                  Announcement & Call for Papers

1 March 2021                          Submission of Proposals / Abstracts

20 April 2021                         Notice of Acceptance

10 September 2021               Full Paper Submission

10 October 2021                     Final Program