ESIL-sponsored event – International Conference: ‘The Belt and Road Initiative and Global Governance’
 
31 August 2018, Brussels
 
Theme of the conference: China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) may well have significant geopolitical and geo-economic consequences. Spanning 65 different countries, including a series of EU Member States and potentially Latin America, covering 60% of the world’s population and a large portion of the world economy, it holds the potential to redefine the global economy and global governance. In what ways is the BRI impacting or likely to impact the current international financial institutions, trade rules, human rights, sustainable development, climate change and environmental protection, security, and developmental policies? Despite the fact that China is a relatively new player in global governance, and the BRI is still in the making, the latter has become Xi Jinping’s signature foreign policy, in line with China’s commitment to be a frontrunner in developing a new kind of multilateralism and in reforming the global governance system. Given its current relevance and its possible political, economic and cultural impacts, the aim of the conference is to draw on legal, economic and political science approaches in order to inspire a conversation across academic disciplines to better come to grips with the contributions and challenges posed by the BRI to global governance in general. Moreover, the conference will have specific regard for the challenges and opportunities the BRI poses for EUAsia cooperation, with a focus on EU-China, EU-Japan and EU-South-Korea cooperation.
 
CALL FOR PAPERS
 
Deadline for submissions: 1 April 2018