The Department of Philosophy at Addis Ababa University,
Ethiopia, the McLean Center for the Study of Culture and
Values at the Catholic University of America (CUA),
and the Council for Research in Values and Philosophy cordially
invite students, scholars, policymakers, and
practitioners to submit abstracts for the
International Conference on: “Peace and Sustainable
Development: A Philosophical Exploration” to be held at
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, July 20-21, 2026.
Thematic Description
The conference aims to foster a critical and
interdisciplinary dialogue on the philosophical dimensions
of peace, justice, and sustainability in an era of global
uncertainty and transformation. It will provide a platform
to explore how philosophical thinking—rooted in both
classical traditions and indigenous worldviews—can deepen
our understanding of conflict, reconciliation, justice,
power, and ecological responsibility.
Peace and sustainable development are deeply interconnected
philosophical ideals that concern the conditions for human
flourishing and the ethical organization of global life.
Peace is not merely the absence of war or violence but the
presence of justice, dialogue, and mutual recognition among
individuals, communities, and nations. Philosophically, it
requires a reorientation of consciousness from domination
and competition toward cooperation, empathy, and respect for
the dignity of all beings. True peace thus emerges as a
dynamic and relational state—an ongoing process of
harmonizing differences through moral responsibility and
communicative understanding.
Sustainable development, understood as meeting present needs
without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet theirs, extends this ethical horizon to humanity’s
relationship with nature. It demands a reconsideration of
progress and rationality beyond material growth, guided by
the principles of ecological balance, social equity, and
intergenerational justice. Philosophically, it calls for a
transformation in our conception of being and value—from
possessive individualism toward an ontology of
interconnectedness. Together, peace and sustainable
development form a unified ethical project: a vision of
human existence grounded in solidarity, responsibility, and
the pursuit of a just and livable world.
Contributors can discuss key philosophical concepts,
including interconnectedness, holistic wellbeing,
sustainability, environmental justice, social justice,
global justice, restorative justice, and the application of
principles like dialogue, non-violence, and education to
build peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable societies. We
welcome theoretical, conceptual, and practice-based papers
that critically engage with the ethical, social, political,
and environmental aspects of peacebuilding and sustainable
development.
Contributions may focus on (but need not be limited to) the
following topics/themes:
1. The
Ethics of War and Peace.
2. Indigenous
Approaches to Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation.
3. A
Philosophical Exploration of Power, Dialogue, and Justice.
4. Philosophical
Foundations of Peace and Social Justice.
5. Nonviolence,
Peace, and Justice: From Theory to Practice.
6. Restorative
Justice: Philosophical Approaches to Healing and
Reconciliation.
7. Post-Conflict
Identities and the Ethics of Belonging.
8. Environmental
Justice and Sustainable Development.
9. Climate
Change, Global Justice, and Peacebuilding.
10. Education
for Peacebuilding.
Abstract
Participants
are kindly asked to submit their abstract of 300-500 words
and a brief professional bio (in Microsoft Word or PDF) to
the organizer by April 30, 2026. (We
also require that both abstracts and papers be suitable for
a blind review, meaning that they must not identify the
authors or their institutional affiliations.) Questions
and clarifications can be addressed to Prof. Dr. Workineh
Kelbessa (addisaconference2026@gmail.com) and
(cua-rvp@cua.edu). Well-developed, qualitative papers will
be published by the Council for Research in Values and
Philosophy in its publication series “Cultural Heritage and
Contemporary Changes.”
Paper Submission
Guidelines
Page Style: Original
paper should be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font on an
A4 page, paginated, and double-spaced.
Word Count: Manuscripts should be between 7000
and 8000 words (excluding endnotes, references, tables, and
figures).
Important Dates
Deadline for Submission of Abstracts: April 30, 2026.
Notification of Acceptance: May 30, 2026.
Full Papers Submission: June 30, 2026.
Conference Dates: July 20-21, 2026.
Logistics
There will be no registration
fee. The
Conference does not provide lodging or travel support. Conference
participants or their institutions will be responsible for
their own accommodation and travel expenses.
For accommodation and other information, please contact the
local organizer. The conference will be held in English.
Contact
Prof. Dr. Workineh
Kelbessa
The Department of
Philosophy
Addis Ababa
University
Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia
addisaconference2026@gmail.com
