Announcements: CfS ICON Covid Stories; SIEL-Hart Prize; ESIL Panel Discussion Ecocide; ASIL Ecocide Discussion; Hablemos de Derecho Internacional Podcast

1. Covid Stories: A Call for Submissions to ICON – Stories of the Impact of Covid 19 on Inequalities in Academia and Beyond. When the Covid 19 pandemic first started spreading globally in spring 2020, it seemed it could be an “equalizing threat”: The virus affected people in various parts of the world, regardless of nationality, wealth, social standing. It quickly became clear, however, that the pandemic was anything but equalizing. This ICON symposium is somewhat different in nature from previous symposia. The aim is to collect and present a number of individual stories from the pandemic that help to illustrate some of its impacts on existing social inequalities and injustices. The focus is on the various effects that the pandemic has had on the legal academy, and on scholars and scholarship. Abstracts are invited for what should later become short think-pieces (Covid stories) of 3000-5000 words. Authors are encouraged not to limit themselves to the traditional format for scholarly papers but to share their personal reflections and experiences. The plan is to curate this symposium with a view to presenting a diversity of perspectives and experiences, meaning that the selection of contributions will depend not solely on conventional academic qualities but also on a range of other considerations. Abstracts of around 500 words should be sent to iconassociateeditor {at} nyu(.)edu before 1 October 2021.

2. Entries for the 2022 SIEL-HART Prize in International Economic Law open in September 2021. The SIEL–Hart Prize is awarded every 2 years to an outstanding unpublished manuscript by an early career scholar in the field of International Economic Law and is sponsored by the Society of International Economic Law and Hart Publishing. The winner of the SIEL–Hart Prize will receive a contract for publication within the Hart series Studies in International Trade and Investment Law; a £250 Hart book voucher; a SIEL bursary of up to £750 to cover travel and accommodation expenses to, and waiver of the registration fee for, the next SIEL Global Conference. Entries for the 2022 edition of the Prize will be accepted from 1 September 2021 to 1 December 2021. See here to find out more and for information on how to enter.

3. ESIL Panel Discussion on the Novel Definition of the International Crime of Ecocide. On 23 September at 4pm CET, ESIL’s Interest Group on Human Rights, together with the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (Bochum) and the Graduate Institute (Geneva), will host a panel discussion on the novel definition of the international crime of ecocide. The webinar includes an introduction by Philippe Sands (UCL) who will engage in a moderated discussion with Paola Gaeta (Graduate Institute), Kai Ambos (Göttingen), and Jorge Viñuales (Cambridge/Graduate Institute). The webinar will explore the unique drafting history, international reception, and potential impact of ecocide on the development of international law. All interested persons are invited to register via Zoom here. 

4. An International Crime of Ecocide: The Proposal, Future Opportunities, and Challenges Discussion – ASIL.  This discussion takes place on 15 September 2021 12pm EST (New York). It will be hosted by the American Society of International Law (ASIL), organized by its International Criminal Law Interest Group and as part of ASIL’s Signature Topic on Climate Change. Speakers will discuss the proposed crime of “ecocide,” including advantages, disadvantages, legal and political obstacles, and whether in fact the proposal goes far enough. Speakers include Kai Ambos, Jelena Aparac, Charles Jalloh, and Kate Mackintosh. The event will be moderated by Nema Milaninia. For more information and registration, please see here.

5. Hablemos de Derecho Internacional (HDI) – The International Legal Podcast (Spanish). HDI recently added the following episodes in Spanish: Prof. Dr. Héctor Olásolo – Los Desafíos del Derecho Internacional Penal (Parte 1); Prof.Dr. Héctor Olásolo – Los Desafíos del Derecho Internacional Penal (Premium) (Parte 2) ; Dr. Iñigo de Miguel Beriain – Pasaporte de Inmunidad: libertades definidas por el COVID-19; and Prof. Iglesias Velasco – La Cara Oscura de las Operaciones de Paz de la ONU. The podcast is available on the main platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or through other podcast applications by searching “Hablemos de Derecho Internacional”.Updated information about the guests and episodes can be found on the new website, or on HDI’s social media accounts: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube.