Call for Papers and Panels
for
THE ASIA-PACIFIC PEACE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION (APPRA) CONFERENCE 2026
on
Peace Agendas and Peace Pedagogies for Sustaining Justice and Democracy in Troubled Times
📅 Dates: 1–5 July 2026
📍 Venue: Mountain Vista Retreat – Nagarkot, Kathmandu, Nepal
About the Conference
The Asia-Pacific Peace Research Association (APPRA), established in 1980 as a regional affiliate of the International Peace Research Association (IPRA), invites scholars, peace practitioners, educators, policymakers, artists, and community leaders to the 2026 APPRA Conference on “Peace Agendas and Peace Pedagogies for Sustaining Justice and Democracy in Troublous Times.”
We live in an age of unsettling transformations from climate crises and widening inequality to democratic backsliding, technological disruption, and deepening armed conflicts. In such turbulent times, the pursuit of peace, justice, and democracy demands renewed imagination, knowledge, and pedagogy. The conference seeks to explore the proposals and innovative ideas from scholars on how peace research, education, creative practices, and digital innovation can contribute to sustaining democracy and nurturing cultures of peace and justice. The conference will highlight the role of peace pedagogies, performance arts, conflict-sensitive media, and inclusive technologies in shaping peaceful and democratic futures across the Asia–Pacific region.
Context
Across the world, democracy and peace are under strain. Global military spending has reached historic highs (SIPRI, 2025), while the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) records over 60 active state-based armed conflicts in 2024, the highest number since 1946. Simultaneously, misinformation, digital authoritarianism, and polarized narratives threaten civic space and social trust. In this context, the role of peace researchers, educators, and advocates is more critical than ever. As a regional network active since 1980 under the umbrella of the International Peace Research Association (IPRA), APPRA continues to provide an inclusive space for dialogue and collaboration across the Asia-Pacific, from Oceania to South Asia, East and Southeast Asia, and beyond. The 2026 APPRA Conference in Nagarkot-Nepal, aims to deepen reflection on peace pedagogies and creative approaches that sustain justice and democracy, and to reimagine peace education in light of the digital, ecological, and epistemic challenges of our time.
Conference Themes
While most of the sessions will be in-person, some of the sessions will be run in a hybrid format (both online and in-person). We welcome individual papers, panels, workshops, and roundtables addressing the following sub-themes:
Peace Pedagogies and Education
- Peace education and critical pedagogies for justice and democracy
- Community learning and nonviolent civic engagement
- Universities and schools as spaces of peace learning
- Decolonial, feminist, and Indigenous pedagogies for peace
Arts, Creativity, and Performance for Peace
- Theatre, visual art, music, and storytelling as peace practices
- Art-based peacebuilding and reconciliation initiatives
- Creative pedagogy in post-conflict and fragile contexts
Media, Communication, and Technology
- Conflict-sensitive journalism and peace media ethics
- Digital spaces for dialogue, justice, and peace advocacy
- Social media, artificial intelligence, and the future of democracy
- Managing misinformation, hate speech, and digital polarization
- Nonviolent Communication and peaceful movements
Structural and Ecological Dimensions of Peace
- Peacebuilding in contexts of climate crisis and ecological breakdown
- Migration, mobility, and human security in the Asia-Pacific
- Gender, intersectionality, and inclusive peacebuilding
- Economic justice, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods for peace
Reimagining Global and Regional Peace Agendas
- Regional cooperation and multilateralism for peace
- Revisiting democracy, governance, and human rights in turbulent times
- Peace research methodologies and innovations
- Museums for Peace
Submission Guidelines
We welcome a submission consisting of an abstract of a maximum of 250 words and a short biography of up to 50 words to email sg.appra@gmail.com
- Deadline:20th March 2026
- Notification of acceptance: Rolling acceptance decision until 30th March 2026
- Full paper submission (for proceedings and publication):10th June 2026
All papers will undergo peer review. Selected papers will be considered for publication in the APPRA Conference Proceedings and the journal of our partner publishers.
The single-author rule will be applied. Each author may present only one paper, though they may serve as a panel chair or discussant in other sessions. Papers must be original, unpublished, and free of plagiarism.
Conference Registration
| Category | Early Bird(until 30thApril 2026) | Regular (Until 15thJune 2026) | Onsite | Includes |
| (A)Conference Registration only | USD250 | USD350 | USD450 |
|
| (B)Conference Registration & Residence (Sharing Basis) | USD 450 | USD 550 | N/A |
|
| (C)Conference Registration & Residence (Private Room Basis) | USD 600 | USD 750 | N/A |
|
APPRA does not provide travel assistance, including airfare to and from Nepal. All participants are responsible for securing their own travel funding. Subject to the availability of external support from generous individuals and foundations, APPRA may offer a limited number of scholarships to cover accommodation and meals. These scholarships are contingent on funding and cannot be guaranteed at this stage.
Priority for scholarship consideration will be given to registered participants who submit full papers and demonstrate financial need. Additional preference will be extended to applicants who have not received support in previous APPRA conferences.
Accommodation and Logistics
The accommodation provided by the organizer will be in a moderate tourist standard hotel at the conference venue in Nagarkot. Those who are looking for more comfort and private spaces are suggested to look for the nearby hotels in Nagarkot. The local transport from/to the conference venue is to be arranged by the participants themselves. The conference secretariat will provide information on nearby hotels in Nagarkot.
Organized By
Asia-Pacific Peace Research Association (APPRA), a regional affiliate of the International Peace Research Association (APPRA)
Local Host and Management
Arc Private Limited, and Galli Galli, Kathmandu, Nepal
Contact and Queries
📧 sg.appra@gmail.com
🌐 https://appra.net
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