Call for abstracts | MEDirections Annual Conference “Conflicts and Natural Resources in the MENA Region and its Immediate Neighbourhood “

Call for Abstracts

Submission Deadline: 16 June 2019 (11:00 CET)

A number of important trends point to the increasing risk of conflicts over natural resources in the MENA region and its immediate neighbourhood in the coming years. These include the growing scarcity of water and land resources in certain countries, increasing competition over control of the production of oil, gas and minerals, and challenges linked to energy transition, security, management and distribution. Local actors and the international community will have to formulate new mechanisms for risk mitigation and conflict resolution, as well as new frameworks for post-conflict intervention. To be effective, these mechanisms will need to be inclusive and to take into account the needs of the various stakeholders concerned. If properly directed, investments in natural resources could also play a positive role in providing development opportunities and ensuring long term stability in the region

The 2019 MEDirections Annual Conference will focus on conflicts over natural resources in the MENA region and its immediate neighbourhood, and the potential of such conflicts to reshape the regional order. 

In particular, we are interested in contributions in the following areas:

  • Drivers of conflict over water, oil and gas and minerals in the MENA region and neighbouring countries
    • How is energy transition influencing geopolitical aspirations? 
    • What role could energy transition play in mitigating conflict risks?
    • What impacts do conflicts have on transboundary water resources? 
  • International efforts to reduce interstate and intrastate tensions over natural resources
    • What new configurations of power are being shaped by the emergence of a new natural resources system?
    • How could we mitigate the struggle over water resources and food scarcity at the national and regional levels?
  • The role of investment in natural resources in post-conflict stabilisation and reconstruction
    • Are investments in unstable areas conflict neutral?
    • What role could multinational companies and investors in the natural resources sector play in stabilising the MENA region?

MEDirections is therefore issuing a call for abstracts on these and related themes in the MENA region and its immediate neighbourhood. Send us your abstract (300-500 words) and a short CV by 16 June 2019 at 11:00 (CET). Proposed papers should have a sound analytical and conceptual base, and preferably be rich in empirics.

We will communicate to successful candidates by 30 June 2019. For selected abstracts, draft papers (around 5,000 words) are expected by 5 October 2019. We will publish the final papers in the form of an e-book, edited in line with feedback from the conference. Funding will be available for travel and accommodation.

Queries and email submissions to: sarah.stjohn@eui.eu

Scientific Committee:

Luigi Narbone|   MEDirections Director

Virginie Collombier | MEDirections Scientific Coordinator

Christopher Frattina della Frattina| MEDirections Research Associate

Download the Call for Abstracts