Münster Conference on Future-Proofing in Public Law – Call for Abstracts

The Faculty of Law at the University of Münster invites you to the Second Münster Conference on Public International and Comparative Law to be held from 19 to 21 September 2024 at the Institute for International and Comparative Public Law in Münster, Germany.

Organisers: Dr. Nicole Hövelmeyer, Dr. Nicholas Otto, Prof. Dr. Gernot Sydow

Whether a Future Generations Commission in the UK, an Assemblée Citoyenne du futur in France or a Rat für Generationengerechtigkeit in Germany, the idea of installing a body to represent the interests of future generations is en vogue. Such developments are fuelled by the question of how to deal with intergenerational problems, such as climate change, in a way that is fair to all generations. From an academic point of view, this is a good opportunity to reflect on the status quo in different constitutional orders, as well as the possibilities and requirements, when designing future-proof public law: To what extent do constitutions, and public law in general, already take into account the rights and interests of future generations? How should constitutional and administrative law be designed to effectively address issues whose true extent will only be revealed at a later date, when prevention is already too late and future generations are limited to damage control?

To this end, the Conference on Future-Proofing in Public Law aims to look to the future and, in so doing, determine actions that can be taken in the present. Panellists are free to address specific challenges (such as climate change, migration, increasingly ageing societies or the rise of populism) or present a more theoretical reflection: Do we have to distance ourselves from an anthropocentric understanding of public law to ensure that the public goods, for example, the environment, are adequately protected? Can means of intergenerational representation bridge the gap between anthropocentrism and insufficient climate protection? Which institutional designs, procedures and legal acts are required to incorporate the interests of future generations into current law-making? How can public law ensure that long-term problem-solving strategies and the implementation of obligations under international law endure despite short legislative periods? How should the integration of national legal orders into supra- or international orders be designed to effectively solve long-term problems?

Young scholars are the future. Therefore, we want to hear their thoughts on the future orientation of public law, regarding all and any thematic interests. We are interested in abstracts from all areas of public law, especially constitutional and administrative law. In order to promote insightful discussions on common grounds, we ask panellists to include either a comparative or an international perspective in their submissions.

Abstract Submission

Abstracts can be submitted by PhD candidates, postdocs and young professionals (within 5 years of commencing a professional activity). In particular, people from groups that are still underrepresented in the academic community are encouraged to apply.

The conference language will be English. Co-authorship is permitted.

Submissions should consist of (1) an anonymised abstract of no more than 500 words and (2) a short CV, in a separate PDF document, and should be sent to evr@uni-muenster.de by 31 March 2024. The selection will be announced in the first week of April 2024.

Selected participants are expected to send a draft paper by 31 August 2024. Reimbursement of the travel costs is conditional on the timely submission of the draft paper. Conditional upon a positive result of the peer review, we aim to publish the papers in a journal’s special issue.

Accommodation and Travel Costs

Accommodation (max. two nights) will be provided and costs of travel of up to a total of 100 Euros per person will be reimbursed by the University of Münster. Contingent on the availability of funds, we may be able to pay travel costs beyond the above cap for those, especially for non-EU researchers, who cannot otherwise finance their participation.

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Durham Centre for Public Law and Human Rights PGR workshop

Wednesday 6^th March 2024, 9am – 5.15pm

The Durham Human Rights and Public Law Centre is excited to host a one-day workshop aimed at postgraduate researchers. The workshop intends to support PGRs, by offering extensive feedback and discussion on a draft paper that is close to being submitted for publication in the fields of Public Law and Human Rights, broadly construed. 

The format of the workshop will be as follows: 

Rather than presenting their own paper, each participant will be tasked with providing a short presentation of the paper of another participant before the discussion commences. This is intended to provide feedback to the author on the clarity of the argument. This will be followed by an experienced review of the paper by an established member of Durham Law School who will provide substantive feedback. Finally, we will provide a friendly and open forum for discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of the argument. 

We aim to operate two streams, one on Human Rights and one on Public Law. The stream on Public Law remains open for expressions of interest.

For full details of the event and to express interest in the Public Law stream, please complete this online form by 12pm on 16th January 2024.