CALL FOR PAPERS 征文启事

The 5th LSE-Fudan Annual Academic Conference

第五届复旦大学—伦敦政治经济学院学术年会

International Organizations and Multilateralism: The Transformation of Global Governance in a Multipolar Era

国际组织与多边主义：多极化时代的全球治理转型

November 2-3, 2026

Fudan University, Shanghai, China

Co-hosts｜主办方

LSE-Fudan Research Centre for Global Public Policy

复旦—LSE全球公共政策研究中心

LSE-Fudan Global Public Policy Hub

复旦—LSE全球公共政策研究枢纽

Fudan Institute for Global Public Policy

复旦大学全球公共政策研究院

Academic Committee

Wen Chen, Professor, Fudan School of Public Health

Timothy Hildebrandt, Associate Professor, LSE Department of Social Policy

Yijia Jing, Professor, Fudan Institute for Global Public Policy (Co-chair)

Bingchun Meng, Professor, LSE Department of Media and Communications (Co-chair)

Xizhe Peng, Professor, Fudan Institute for Ageing

Andrew Street, Professor, LSE Department of Health Policy

Conference Overview

In an era defined by geopolitical realignment, the rise of new powers, and unprecedented transnational challenges—from climate change and pandemics to digital governance and economic inequality—the architecture of global governance is under immense strain. The post-1945 multilateral order, centered on international organizations (IOs), is navigating a profound transformation. We are witnessing a shift from a unipolar moment to a definitively multipolar world, raising critical questions about the effectiveness, legitimacy, and future of multilateral cooperation.

Fudan University and LSE are pleased to invite scholars, researchers, and practitioners from around the world to participate in an international conference that will critically examine the evolving role of international organizations and the state of multilateralism in this new multipolar context. This conference aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on how global governance structures are adapting, resisting, or being reinvented to address contemporary crises and power shifts. We seek contributions that explore both the theoretical underpinnings and the empirical realities of this transformation.

Conference Themes

We welcome paper and panel proposals from scholars, as well as speeches by practitioners in international organizations, on a wide range of topics related to the conference theme, including but not limited to:

• Theoretical Perspectives: 

  Rethinking theories of international organizations and cooperation in a multipolar world. Does multipolarity necessitate a new theoretical framework for understanding IOs?

• Reform and Resilience of IOs:

  Examining internal and external pressures for reform in institutions like the UN, WTO, WHO, IMF, and World Bank. How are these bodies adapting to shifting power dynamics and legitimacy crises?

• Regionalism vs. Multilateralism:

  The role of regional organizations (e.g., EU, AU, ASEAN) as either building blocks or potential alternatives to global multilateral frameworks.

• Rising Powers and Global Governance: 

  Analyzing the strategies and impacts of emerging powers (e.g., China, India, Brazil) on international institutions and norms. Are they seeking revision, reform, or status quo?

• New Actors and Informal Governance: 

  The influence of non-state actors, civil society, philanthropic foundations, and transnational networks in shaping global policy. The rise of informal clubs and minilateral arrangements (e.g., G20, BRICS).

• Specific Policy Domains: 

  In-depth analysis of multilateral cooperation and conflict in critical areas such as:

Global Health Security

Climate Change and Environmental Governance

Digital Economy and Data Governance

International Trade and Finance

Peace and Security Operations

Human Rights and Humanitarian Intervention

• The Future of Multilateralism: 

  What are the plausible scenarios for global governance in 2030 and beyond? Can a stable and effective multilateral order be constructed on multipolar foundations?

Submission Guidelines

We invite proposals for individual papers or pre-formed panels (comprising 3-4 papers).

Abstracts for individual papers should be no more than 300 words and include the paper's title, research question, methodology, and main arguments. For practitioners, the abstract shall include speech title, major issues and arguments

Panel proposals should include a panel title, a brief description of the panel's rationale (up to 250 words), and abstracts for each paper (following the individual paper guidelines).

All submissions must include the name(s), institutional affiliation(s), and contact information of the presenter(s). Please indicate any audio-visual requirements.

Publication Opportunity

Selected papers presented at the conference will be considered for publication in a special issue or as regular submissions in the journal hosted by Fudan Institute for Global Public Policy Global Public Policy and Governance | Springer Nature, following a rigorous double-blind peer-review process. Authors who wish to have their work considered for publication should indicate their interest at the time of submission or during the conference.

Important Dates

Deadline for Abstract Submission: Jun 30, 2026

Notification of Acceptance: July 15, 2026 (on a first-come, first-served basis)

Conference Dates: November 2-3, 2026

Submission and Contact

Please submit your proposals electronically in a single PDF or Word document to: fudan_lse@fudan.edu.cn

For any inquiries, please contact the conference organizing committee at the same email address.

Venue and Participation

The conference will be held at the campus of Fudan University. Attendance is free of charge (no registration fee). However, participants, except for those specially invited by the organizers, are expected to cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. The conference will provide tea breaks and conference meals.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and welcoming you to Fudan University for a stimulating and critical discussion on the future of global governance.