Call for Papers "Private Military Companies, States, and Global Civil Society: Ethics, Theory and Practice" Interdisciplinary Conference University of KwaZulu-Natal KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) 14 - 16 July 2005
While the history of mercenary forces stretches back at least 4000 years, recent events in Africa, Iraq and elsewhere have highlighted the fact that private military forces are now being employed to a degree that is arguably unprecedented in the era since the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. Also unique is the degree to which 'Private Military Companies' (PMC's) are demanding recognition as legal and morally legitimate entities. These developments raise important ethical, theoretical and practical questions for those who contract PMC's, whether they be states or the organisations that, in part, make up Global Civil Society. Despite this, there has been little by way of in-depth focus on these questions. This conference provides a forum for an interdisciplinary engagement with this important topic. Papers on related topics will also be considered for inclusion in the conference programme. Confirmed conference speakers thus far include: Kevin O'Brien (RAND Europe) Marina Caparini (Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces) Mervyn Frost (Kings College, London) Asa Kasher (Tel-Aviv University) MB Ramose (University of South Africa) Joseph Runzo (Chapman University and Clare Hall, Cambridge) Nancy Sherman (Georgetown University) Financial support for the conference has generously been made available by: - The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces - The Unilever Ethics Centre, University of KwaZulu-Natal - The School of Philosophy and Ethics, University of KwaZulu-Natal Negotiations with other possible funders and invited speakers are currently under way. Submissions are invited from representatives of a broad range of fields, including (but not limited to) history, legal theory, international relations/strategic studies, philosophy and applied ethics. Submissions from representatives of NGO's, PMC's and other affected organisations will also be welcomed. Those interested in presenting a paper at the conference should e-mail a detailed abstract of approximately 1000 words, in Word or .rtf format, to Deane Baker at [email protected], by the 1st of December 2004. Participants will be selected on the basis of the submitted abstracts. Abstracts should be submitted in a form suitable for blind review. An edited book on the conference topic will be published, for which conference papers will automatically be considered. The conference will be held at the Spionkop Lodge in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The Lodge overlooks the Spionkop battlefield, one of the bloodiest of the Anglo-Boer War. The conference fee has not yet been finalised, but is likely to be in the region of R3000 ZAR (US$500, 270GBP) for the two and a half days of the conference (the fee includes 3 nights accommodation and food for the duration of the conference). Some limited funding may be available to assist postgraduates and South African participants in meeting the cost of the conference fee (but NOT for travel), but this has yet to be confirmed. The conference is being coordinated by Deane Baker (School of Philosophy and Ethics, University of KwaZulu-Natal) and Natashia Chhiba (Department of International Relations, University of the Witwatersrand). Informal inquiries should be directed to Deane at the e-mail address listed above. Contact: Deane Baker School of Philosophy and Ethics University of KwaZulu-Natal email: <[email protected]> _________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org/ Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://agd.polylog.org/cal/
