Naval War College Seeking Papers on Women, Peace, Security

By Daniel S. Marciniak, U.S. Naval War College Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) is issuing a 'call for papers' in preparation for its third annual Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Conference Series held at the NWC in Newport, Rhode Island, April 16-17, 2015.

In an effort to gather theoretical and practical ideas from a wider audience not normally represented in a limited conference format, the conference series chair is soliciting papers from academics, researchers, military personnel, non-governmental organizations and individuals who have an interest or experience in issues pertaining to WPS.

"Conferences have limited room for participants," said Mary Raum, NWC professor and chair of the WPS Conference Series. "To have available, online and in the networked world, some quality thoughts on components of WPS from thinkers and practitioners who have a direct tie to the subjects being discussed, is an invaluable resource.

"This call for papers will allow for a broader reach in exchanging ideas and enable us to network on a global scale - a first step for formalizing the sharing of ideas allied with conference precepts."

Since the inception of the U.S. National Action Plan on WPS in 2011, the NWC has been at the forefront of exploration into national and international issues involving WPS, working towards the goal of empowering women in conflict prevention and peace.

In support of the conference theme, "Constructive Pathways: Stimulating and Safeguarding Components of Women, Peace, and Security," interested parties can contribute to this goal by submitting a paper on one of the following subjects:

- Department of Defense operational aspects of WPS.

- How different types of conflict impact minority populations.

- Regional viewpoints of modern conflict zones.

- Efforts in soft and hard power.

- Media, arts, information and communication networks.

- Law, politics and governance.

- Quantitative studies.

Selected papers will be published on the NWC website and accessible to U.S. Navy personnel fleet wide.

"Being a contributor to this call for papers will allow for an additional avenue of exchange between theorists and practitioners in academia, military and non-governmental organizations," said Raum. "These ideas are important for better operationalizing WPS components in the most meaningful way possible."

Proposals must be submitted by Nov. 1, 2014.