Beyond Crisis? Reimagining Global Solidarity In an Age of Turmoil

Since the last ISA Congress in 2023, the empty half of the glass has become increasingly difficult to ignore. The challenges continue to mount: a succession of wars and humanitarian emergencies has caused premature death, displacement, and insecurity while the annual Indicators of Global Climate Change report shows that human-induced warming is increasing at the fastest rate on record. These developments and many others represent the troubling—yet increasingly predictable—consequences of declining global aid flows, fiscal austerity, and weakening international commitments.

We invite submissions that reflect on this critical conjuncture in world history, examine the dynamics that have brought us to this moment, and imagine possible futures. The following questions may serve as a guide, although contributions that address related themes are also welcome.

• What is the UN actually for in this messier world? How do we make sense of the shifting power dynamics among the global North and the global South, as the main architect of post-WWII international order withdraws from the stage?
• Can we develop a forward-looking agenda that places social justice at the core of policymaking across finance, industry, health, and climate, as suggested at the Second World Summit for Social Development?
• What kinds of principles of conduct and moral foundations do we need to develop to be able to coordinate the actions of these diverse actors, hold them accountable, and help them balance long-term collective benefits with short-term gain?