IICRR will host a one-day conference “Secession and Recognition of States in the Twenty-First Century” on Friday 18th May, 09:00 – 17:00, at The Helix, DCU Glasnevin Campus.
Although the recognition of states plays a central role in shaping global politics, it remains an under-researched and widely-dispersed subject. Recognition of new states is loaded with political and legal controversies, which can affect international stability, normative and legal order, and reshuffle geopolitical relations between states and alliances. To explore this important topic, this conference will discuss secession and recognition of states in the contemporary world politics with leading international scholars.
A keynote lecture will be delivered by Professor Mikulas Fabry of Georgia Institute of Technology, who will discuss the evolution of state recognition in theory and practice. Professor James Summers of Lancaster University will examine how particular pathways to independence determine prospects for recognition. Professor Jure Vidmar of Manchester University will explore the collective recognition of states in legal theory and practice. Dr Gëzim Visoka of Dublin City University, will present his joint research with Professor Edward Newman of the University of Leeds on the EU’s practice of state recognition to shed light on the role of regional organisations in recognition of new states, Dr Dawn Walsh of University College Dublin will present on territorial self-government as a conflict management tool.
In the afternoon session, Professor James Ker-Lindsay of St Mary’s University, Twickenham London will present on the strategy of parent states against the recognition of break-away regions. Professor Bruno Coppieters from Vrije University Brussels will examine the pragmatic policy of engagement without recognition, while Dr Chiara Loda of DCU will examine breakaway regions and state recognition through the case of Georgia. Finally, Prof John Doyle and Prof Eileen Connolly of DCU will present of state recognition and reorganisation in a European context through the cases of Brexit, Irish unity, Scotland and Catalonia, S Mr Muhamet Brajshori from Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will present his view on Kosovo’s strategy for diplomatic recognition, while Dr Yaser Alashqar of Trinity College Dublin will present on Palestine’s struggle for international recognition.