One day international conference was organized by School of International Relations and Politics of Quaid-i-Azam University on “100 years of international Relations Discipline Past, Present and Future “at auditorium of Department of Earth Sciences.
While addressing the participants of the conference Federal Minister of Human Rights Shireen Mazari Said that International Relation is changing very fast whereas discipline of International Relations is trying to chase it. Civilians became part of war after the introduction of air warfare during second world war. It was no more business of generals only. The study of International Relations was related to relations of states only in the past but now non state actors have also become part of it.
She further said the discipline of International relations is trying to chase fast changing relations in reality. The international system used to be anarchic but now many international regimes related to trade, finance is part of it. The concept like anarchic system and states are sovereign are outdated now.
She further highlighted the discipline needs to be more predictive which is a real challenge. The international system kept on changing from balance of power to bi polarity, but discipline remained behind. The League of Nation accepted colonization, but United Nations developed concepts of right to self-determination and decolonization. She also emphasized that international relations are cross disciplinary involving economics, politics and society.
She also mentioned that Yesterday India passed a Citizenship bill which is new example of fascist regime. She also said that Pakistan is facing threat of war in form of use of cluster bombs on line of control and Balakot surgical strike by India.
Dr. Olena who is cultural attaché at Embassy of Ukraine in Pakistan explained how International Relations is evolving. She gave a constructivist perspective of social constructions based on identities.
She talked about prospects of combining theory and practice. She emphasized on the importance of culture, religion, mentality, social behaviour, people and society. She said foreign policy better to be made the instrument id long term and far sighted strategic vision and diplomatic calculus.
Dr. Wsseem who served as chairman of International Relations Department and currently associated with Lahore University of Management Sciences talked about “ outside in , Inside out: Global local discourse.
He constructed the idea of having a local global society, building on English School of thought. The term he coined is ' Glocal ' a local global perspective of IR suggesting a revision in the Westocentric approaches to IR Where he urged to review the West against the Rest.
Dr. Hussain Shaheed Suherwardi talked about revisiting International Relations:
He explained how theories the traditional ones have taken over the discipline and how there is a need for an Asian style International Relations.
Chief Guest distributed mementos to speakers and Vice chancellor of Quaid-i-Azam University thanked the chief guests and participants.
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