Advocacy in a Fragmented World:
Power, Voice, and Transformation
Advocacy can be a transformative tool in tackling the political, cultural, and socioeconomic issues of the twenty-first century. It has become a vital instrument for promoting change and elevating the voices of under-represented groups as our society grows more ideologically and politically divided, and serves as a means of promoting social justice and democratic resilience in the face of escalating inequality, political polarisation, climate disasters, and sociocultural schisms.
Under-represented demographics are disproportionately impacted by today’s interconnected problems, which range from political instability to economic inequality and climatic destruction. These difficulties highlight how important lobbying is for changing laws, combating structural injustice, and promoting inclusive governance. Unheard voices in the corridors of power are amplified via advocacy. Advocacy tactics that reinterpret power dynamics, including institutional lobbying, digital activism, grassroots movements and global campaigns like Fridays for Future and #BlackLivesMatter, have shown that campaigning may spur change, but it also encounters resistance from powerful elites. Although digital tools make information more accessible to all, they can also be used as weapons to spread false information. How can advocacy continue to have a metamorphic effect even in hostile environments?
Addressing systemic disparities based on ethnicity, caste, gender, class, and identity requires continued advocacy for inclusivity. By emphasising intersectionality, the opinions of minorities, women, LGBTQI+ communities, Indigenous Peoples, and refugees are heard. The significance of lobbying in addressing systemic injustices is exemplified by movements like the Dalit-Bahujan movement in South Asia and Indigenous rights for environmental justice. Advocacy engages with governance frameworks rather than functioning independently. From refugee rights movements opposing restrictive immigration laws to climate advocacy influencing treaties like the Paris Agreement, this section examines the ways in which advocacy affects both domestic and international institutions. Additionally, grassroots movements aiming for prominence and influence face difficulties due to the emergence of “advocacy capitalism”—the appropriation of advocacy by influential parties.
Fostering unity across national boundaries and ideological divides is key to the future of lobbying. Global power structures can be challenged by collective action, as demonstrated by transnational networks such as the Global Alliance for Tax Justice. With input from advocates around the globe, this congress seeks to promote cross-sectoral discourse in order to tackle today’s urgent issues and create a robust framework for the future.
With these in mind, the International Association for Political Science Students is launching a Call for Papers for the IAPSS World Congress 2025, under the theme of “Advocacy in a Fragmented World: Power, Voice, and Transformation”, taking place from May 20 – 23rd, 2025, in Mexico City, Mexico.
Subthemes
1. Advocacy, Security, and Conflict
- Advocacy in Conflict Zones
- Displaced Populations and Securitisation
- Post-Conflict Reconstruction
2. International Relations Advocacy
- Global Advocacy Networks
- Advocacy in the Global South
- Advocacy and Decolonisation
3. The Rule of Law and Human Rights
- Judicial Independence and Human Rights Protection
- Rule of Law and Civil Liberties
- Justice for Marginalised Communities
4. Advocacy, Identity, and Gender
- Gender, LGBTIQI+ Identities, and Advocacy
- Youth-led Advocacy Movements
- Intersectional Advocacy
5. Economic Justice and International Markets
- Advocacy and Economic Inequality
- Trade and Human Rights
- Globalisation and Local Economies
6. Advocacy, Society, and Governance
- Advocacy and Structural Inequality
- Governance and Public Participation
- Accountability and Corruption
7. Advocacy and Communication in Politics
- Political Messaging in Advocacy Campaigns
- Media Representation and Advocacy
- Digital Activism
8. Environmental Advocacy, Sustainability, and Energy
- Climate Advocacy
- Energy Justice
- Environmental Movements
9. Advocacy, Digital Rights, and Technology
- Digital Privacy and Security
- Tech for Social Good
- Fighting Disinformation
10. Advocacy, Philosophy, and Political Theory
- Ethics of Advocacy
- Political Theories of Justice
- Radical and Reformist Advocacy
11. Other
If you believe your topic is connected to the theme of the conference but none of the subthemes, please select this category.
Guidelines for Abstract Submissions
Please send us your abstract in English *OR* Spanish with your name, your subject of study and home university, contact data and 5 keywords by February 28th, 2025 by filling out the Abstract Submission Form.
250-300 words, highlighting the research question, methodology, and significance, and (expected) results of the study. Refrain from using literature in the abstract.
All abstracts will be tested for plagiarism and AI. Both plagiarism and AI usage will lead to automatic rejection and possible expulsion from future IAPSS conferences and other events.
If you submit an abstract in English, your final paper and your presentation must be in English. If you submit an abstract in Spanish, your final paper and your presentation must be in Spanish.
Panel Chairs and Discussants
The paper presenters will present their essays (individually or in a small group) during the panel before the floor opens to a 15-20 minute Question & Answer session.
The role of the panel chairs is to coordinate the discussion, maintain proper timing and moderate the Q&A sessions.
The discussants, participating in the panel, will be called to engage in active dialogue based on the topic of the paper.
If you are interested in fulfilling one of these positions, please send your CV, including the above-mentioned personal data, to worldcongress@iapss.org.
Timeline
The selection panel will consist of the IAPSS Vice-President for Academic Affairs and members of the Academic Department. Selected candidates for all positions (presenters, chairpersons, discussants) will be announced on a rolling basis. The final papers of selected candidates should be submitted by April 30th, 2025.
Registration
Please note that you need to be registered for the World Congress by purchasing your ticket in the IAPSS Web Store. Registration for panelists may take place after abstract decisions are announced.
A valid IAPSS membership is needed to be eligible for participation.
Early bird registration is open from February 15th, 2025, to March 20th, 2025.
Group 1* | Group 2* |
Group 3* |
$80 | $55 |
$35 |
Regular registration is open from March 21st, 2025, to April 20th, 2025.
Group 1* | Group 2* | Group 3* |
$100 | $70 |
$50 |
* All countries are categorized based on their Gross National Income. The country selected must be the member’s country of residence. Click here to see the detailed list of countries.
Limited travel grants may be available. Successful applicants will be notified regarding grants at a later date.
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us at worldcongress@iapss.org.
Yours Sincerely,
Harshul Singh
Vice-President for Academic Affairs
International Association for Political Science Students (IAPSS)
academic@iapss.org
www.iapss.org