Special Workshop &ldquo\;Non-ideal Approaches in Migration Ethics: Movement\, Membership\, and Asylum in the Contemporary World&rdquo\;
\nIVR World Congress 2026 Istanbul
\nJune 28 &ndash\; July 3\, 2026
\nhttps://ivr2026istanbul.org/
\nConvenors: Konstantinos Farmakidis-Markou (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)\, Anna Milioni (Center for Research in Ethics\, Montreal)\, Jan Turlej (Jagiellonian University)
\nWorkshop Description
\nMigration raises difficult questions against the background of an imperfect global order. Cross-border movement &ndash\; whether voluntary\, driven by constraining circumstances\, or the absence of meaningful life opportunities\, and forced &ndash\; poses enduring ethical problems of admission and reception\, exclusion\, protection\, responsibility\, and belonging. At the same time\, recent and emerging developments &ndash\; including climate-induced displacement\, digitalized border control\, the securitization of migration\, shifting labour markets\, the externalization of responsibility\, and evolving legal regimes of asylum and citizenship &ndash\; are putting established legal and moral-political frameworks under increasing strain. Non-ideal theory\, first systematized for global society by John Rawls in The Law of Peoples\, has since served as a framework for justifying and specifying international duties and as a widely adopted account of the responsibilities that peoples bear toward fellow human beings. At the same time\, it has been strongly\, yet fruitfully\, criticized by proponents of more morality-centred approaches to global justice\, especially in the context of migration. This workshop invites contributions that engage with the ethics of migration across its full spectrum\, approached especially through a non-ideal normative-theoretical perspective\, including: immigration and emigration\, refugee protection\, statelessness\, and citizenship. The workshop aims to provide a forum for philosophical reflection on how moral obligations toward migrants are shaped\, justified\, constrained\, and sometimes transformed under contemporary conditions. Rather than focusing on a single doctrinal or policy issue\, the workshop aims to explore the normative principles underlying migration governance\, as well as the tensions between state sovereignty\, individual rights\, collective self-determination and global justice.
\nThemes and Questions
\nWe welcome theoretical\, normative\, critical\, and empirically informed contributions on\, among others\, the following topics:
\nThe workshop is open call. Contributions may draw from:
\nThe workshop aims to:
\nThe workshop may provide the foundation for future collaboration\, a themed publication\, or a subsequent research network.
\nConfirmed speakers:
\nRufaida Al Hashmi (University of Reading)
\nPhilip Cole (University of the West of England)
\nKostas Farmakidis (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)
\nVera Karanika (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)
\nAnna Milioni (Center for Research in Ethics\, Montreal)
\nJan Turlej (Jagiellonian University)
\nSubmission Information:
\nParticipants are invited to submit anonymised abstracts (approx. 300&ndash\;500 words) by 26 April 2026\, to anna.milioni@umontreal.ca \, janturlej@gmail.com \, and dm_farma@yahoo.gr . Please use &ldquo\;IVR abstract submission&rdquo\; as the subject line of your email.
\nAccepted contributors are welcome to circulate short papers in advance to facilitate discussion.
ORGANIZER;CN=Anna Milioni;CN=Jan Turlej;CN=Konstantinos Farmakidis-Markou: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260425T155512Z DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Istanbul:20260515T230000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Istanbul:20260515T230000 SUMMARY:New Issues on Law and Philosophy of Affirmative Action UID:20260427T133956Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-6b96c54f56-bljdq TZID:Europe/Istanbul LOCATION:Kadir Has University\, Fatih\, Turkey\, 34083 DESCRIPTION:The justifiability of affirmative action has been one of the most controversial issues in the fields of legal\, moral\, and social philosophy. Since late Ronald Dworkin\, a prominent legal philosopher\, argued for a racial quota in the admission process of a medical school (which the US Supreme Court struck down in the famous \;Bakke \;Case [1978]) in his book \;Taking Rights Seriously\, a number of legal and moral philosophers have discussed whether\, when and why affirmative action policies are justified. In 2023 June\, the US Supreme Court invalidated the selection methods of Harvard University and the University of North Carolina in \;SFFA \;Case (2023)\, which\, some argued\, substantially overturned the \;Grutter \;Case (2003)\, in which the Supreme Court upheld the selection method of University of Michigan Law School that considered applicants&rsquo\; race as one of many factors. More recently\, the second Donald Trump administration has taken further step to terminate &ldquo\;DEI (Diversity\, Equity\, and Inclusion)&rdquo\; programs altogether.
\nIn this workshop\, a wide range of issues will be discussed concerning affirmative action from the perspectives of legal\, moral and social philosophy. I\, Yuichiro Mori\, an associate professor at Kobe University (Japan) and the convenor of this workshop\, have worked on theories of equality and discrimination in the fields of legal and political philosophy (I contributed the entry &ldquo\;Relational Equality&rdquo\; to \;Encyclopedia of the Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy\, \;https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6730-0_1134-1). I was a visiting scholar at Harvard Law School from 2023-2025\, having worked on legal and philosophical issues concerning affirmative action in scarce medical resource allocation (my recent publication on this topic is &ldquo\;Making Sense of Race-Based Affirmative Action in Allocating Scarce Medical Resources\,&rdquo\; \;Res Philosophica\, 101 (3)\, \;https://doi.org/10.5840/resphilosophica2024326115). I hosted a special workshop with a similar topic in the previous world congress in Seoul (https://ivr2024.org/html_file.php?file=sw_034.html&\;file2=sw_default.html)\, where I also won the Young Scholar Prize (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8DT-oV4IQg). At this workshop\, I will deliver a presentation\, as well as serving as the moderator.
\nAny paper related to affirmative action is welcome\, but I highly encourage the submission from those purporting to raise relatively novel topics or bring about new perspectives into affirmative action debates. There is no restriction with respect to methodology in law and philosophy\, but those familiar with analytical philosophy are especially welcome. The topics presented at this workshop might include (but not limited to):
\n&ndash\; On the possible domains of affirmative action other than workplace and education (e.g.\, health\, immigration\, criminal sentencing\, military/non-military civic duties).
\n&ndash\; On the justifiability of affirmative action programs against those (typically considered) already disadvantaged (e.g.\, higher standards for Asians and women in the admission process of &ldquo\;Ivy League&rdquo\; universities in the US to maintain racial-gender balance).
\n&ndash\; On affirmative-action-related issues provoked by the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) (e.g.\, Is it permissible or required to consider race or gender when designing fair AI algorithm? If so\, how they can do so in a morally and legally permissible way? Can the idea of &ldquo\;personalized law&rdquo\; [that utilizes big data and AI algorithm] be applied to affirmative action policies?)
\n&ndash\; On affirmative action and inter-generational justice (e.g.\, Even if affirmative action is justified as a temporary measure to eliminate the effect of past and present discrimination\, how should the burden be shared between different present and future cohorts in order for it to be fair?)
\n&ndash\; On fit between means and ends and diverse conception of &ldquo\;treatment as an individual&rdquo\; (e.g.\, Would the best equality-of-opportunity affirmative action [that pays due consideration to all disadvantageous traits] collapse into individual [rather than group]-based redistributive programs? Does &ldquo\;treatment as an individual&rdquo\; direct us toward &ldquo\;more information&rdquo\; rather than &ldquo\;blindness&rdquo\;?)
\n&ndash\; On conceptual distinctions between different measures and principles (e.g.\, Is point-system relevantly distinct from a quota in terms of fairness for individuals? Is indirect affirmative action better than its direct counterpart? How different is &ldquo\;anti-classification&rdquo\; principle from &ldquo\;color/gender-blindness&rdquo\;?)
\nIf you are interested in delivering a presentation at this workshop\, please send your abstract (between 300 and 500 words) to yuichiromori.0418@gmail.com by \;May 15\, 2026. Sending your full paper in addition is highly welcome but not mandatory.
\nImportant Note:
\nThis workshop is &ldquo\;child-friendly&rdquo\; one. \;Both presenters and participants are welcome to bring their children to this workshop if they wish. If you have any question or special concern\, please do not hesitate to reach out to the convenor!
ORGANIZER;CN=Yuichiro Mori: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260425T155512Z DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Istanbul:20260628T090000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Istanbul:20260703T170000 SUMMARY:IVR 2026 Istanbul UID:20260427T133957Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-6b96c54f56-bljdq TZID:Europe/Istanbul LOCATION:Kadir Has University\, İstanbul\, Turkey DESCRIPTION:We propose to organize the IVR Congress 2026 with the aim of deepening the relationship between law and philosophy in the face of the complex problems of today&rsquo\;s world. In our times\, the task of philosophical thought is not only to identify problems\, but also to examine their origins and possible solutions from an ethical perspective. Similarly\, law must develop new approaches to the protection of human rights and the realization of justice today.
\nFirst\, we must ask what role law can play in addressing the urgent problems of our times such as climate crisis\, poverty\, migration\, and the various conflicts. These issues are not only technical or political\, but also ethical. Legal systems must approach these challenges from a perspective that places at the center human dignity.
\nSecond\, we have to rethink the legal framework needed to protect human rights in a globalized world. Human rights are ethical principles based on the knowledge of the value of the human being. The law must develop universal mechanisms that can protect these rights in different cultural and social contexts.
\nThird\, the impact of technological developments on human life and society requires philosophical inquiry beyond legal regulation. Artificial intelligence and digital technologies force us to reevaluate fundamental values such as human autonomy\, privacy\, and freedom. Our congress will provide a platform to discuss the impact of these technological changes on the basic concepts of law.
\nFinally\, the theme &ldquo\;Law in the Face of the Changing Problems of the World &rdquo\; emphasizes the critical and constructive role of legal thought. Law should not only react to existing problems\, but also provide guiding principles for a more just and humane world order.
\nBy bringing together academics\, legal practitioners and philosophers from a variety of disciplines\, this congress aims to contribute to an in-depth reflection on how law can be more effective in the face of the changing problems of the world.
\nPlease send an email to info@ivr2026istanbul.org in case of any query.
ORGANIZER: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260425T155512Z DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Istanbul:20260628T090000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Istanbul:20260703T170000 SUMMARY:Non-ideal Approaches in Migration Ethics: Movement\, Membership\, and Asylum - IVR Special Workshop UID:20260427T133958Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-6b96c54f56-bljdq TZID:Europe/Istanbul LOCATION:İstanbul\, Turkey DESCRIPTION:Special Workshop &ldquo\;Non-ideal Approaches in Migration Ethics: Movement\, Membership\, and Asylum in the Contemporary World&rdquo\;
\nIVR World Congress 2026 Istanbul
\nJune 28 &ndash\; July 3\, 2026
\nhttps://ivr2026istanbul.org/
\nConvenors: Konstantinos Farmakidis-Markou (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)\, Anna Milioni (Center for Research in Ethics\, Montreal)\, Jan Turlej (Jagiellonian University)
\nWorkshop Description
\nMigration raises difficult questions against the background of an imperfect global order. Cross-border movement &ndash\; whether voluntary\, driven by constraining circumstances\, or the absence of meaningful life opportunities\, and forced &ndash\; poses enduring ethical problems of admission and reception\, exclusion\, protection\, responsibility\, and belonging. At the same time\, recent and emerging developments &ndash\; including climate-induced displacement\, digitalized border control\, the securitization of migration\, shifting labour markets\, the externalization of responsibility\, and evolving legal regimes of asylum and citizenship &ndash\; are putting established legal and moral-political frameworks under increasing strain. Non-ideal theory\, first systematized for global society by John Rawls in The Law of Peoples\, has since served as a framework for justifying and specifying international duties and as a widely adopted account of the responsibilities that peoples bear toward fellow human beings. At the same time\, it has been strongly\, yet fruitfully\, criticized by proponents of more morality-centred approaches to global justice\, especially in the context of migration. This workshop invites contributions that engage with the ethics of migration across its full spectrum\, approached especially through a non-ideal normative-theoretical perspective\, including: immigration and emigration\, refugee protection\, statelessness\, and citizenship. The workshop aims to provide a forum for philosophical reflection on how moral obligations toward migrants are shaped\, justified\, constrained\, and sometimes transformed under contemporary conditions. Rather than focusing on a single doctrinal or policy issue\, the workshop aims to explore the normative principles underlying migration governance\, as well as the tensions between state sovereignty\, individual rights\, collective self-determination and global justice.
\nThemes and Questions
\nWe welcome theoretical\, normative\, critical\, and empirically informed contributions on\, among others\, the following topics:
\nThe workshop is open call. Contributions may draw from:
\nThe workshop aims to:
\nThe workshop may provide the foundation for future collaboration\, a themed publication\, or a subsequent research network.
ORGANIZER;CN=Anna Milioni;CN=Jan Turlej;CN=Konstantinos Farmakidis-Markou: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260425T155512Z DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Istanbul:20260702T161500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Istanbul:20260702T170000 SUMMARY:New Issues on Law and Philosophy of Affirmative Action UID:20260427T133959Z-iCalPlugin-Grails@philevents-web-6b96c54f56-bljdq TZID:Europe/Istanbul LOCATION:Kadir Has University\, Fatih\, Turkey\, 34083 DESCRIPTION:The justifiability of affirmative action has been one of the most controversial issues in the fields of legal\, moral\, and social philosophy. Since late Ronald Dworkin\, a prominent legal philosopher\, argued for a racial quota in the admission process of a medical school (which the US Supreme Court struck down in the famous \;Bakke \;Case [1978]) in his book \;Taking Rights Seriously\, a number of legal and moral philosophers have discussed whether\, when and why affirmative action policies are justified. In 2023 June\, the US Supreme Court invalidated the selection methods of Harvard University and the University of North Carolina in \;SFFA \;Case (2023)\, which\, some argued\, substantially overturned the \;Grutter \;Case (2003)\, in which the Supreme Court upheld the selection method of University of Michigan Law School that considered applicants&rsquo\; race as one of many factors. More recently\, the second Donald Trump administration has taken further step to terminate &ldquo\;DEI (Diversity\, Equity\, and Inclusion)&rdquo\; programs altogether.
\nIn this workshop\, a wide range of issues will be discussed concerning affirmative action from the perspectives of legal\, moral and social philosophy. I\, Yuichiro Mori\, an associate professor at Kobe University (Japan) and the convenor of this workshop\, have worked on theories of equality and discrimination in the fields of legal and political philosophy (I contributed the entry &ldquo\;Relational Equality&rdquo\; to \;Encyclopedia of the Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy\, \;https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6730-0_1134-1). I was a visiting scholar at Harvard Law School from 2023-2025\, having worked on legal and philosophical issues concerning affirmative action in scarce medical resource allocation (my recent publication on this topic is &ldquo\;Making Sense of Race-Based Affirmative Action in Allocating Scarce Medical Resources\,&rdquo\; \;Res Philosophica\, 101 (3)\, \;https://doi.org/10.5840/resphilosophica2024326115). I hosted a special workshop with a similar topic in the previous world congress in Seoul (https://ivr2024.org/html_file.php?file=sw_034.html&\;file2=sw_default.html)\, where I also won the Young Scholar Prize (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8DT-oV4IQg). At this workshop\, I will deliver a presentation\, as well as serving as the moderator.
\nAny paper related to affirmative action is welcome\, but I highly encourage the submission from those purporting to raise relatively novel topics or bring about new perspectives into affirmative action debates. There is no restriction with respect to methodology in law and philosophy\, but those familiar with analytical philosophy are especially welcome. The topics presented at this workshop might include (but not limited to):
\n&ndash\; On the possible domains of affirmative action other than workplace and education (e.g.\, health\, immigration\, criminal sentencing\, military/non-military civic duties).
\n&ndash\; On the justifiability of affirmative action programs against those (typically considered) already disadvantaged (e.g.\, higher standards for Asians and women in the admission process of &ldquo\;Ivy League&rdquo\; universities in the US to maintain racial-gender balance).
\n&ndash\; On affirmative-action-related issues provoked by the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) (e.g.\, Is it permissible or required to consider race or gender when designing fair AI algorithm? If so\, how they can do so in a morally and legally permissible way? Can the idea of &ldquo\;personalized law&rdquo\; [that utilizes big data and AI algorithm] be applied to affirmative action policies?)
\n&ndash\; On affirmative action and inter-generational justice (e.g.\, Even if affirmative action is justified as a temporary measure to eliminate the effect of past and present discrimination\, how should the burden be shared between different present and future cohorts in order for it to be fair?)
\n&ndash\; On fit between means and ends and diverse conception of &ldquo\;treatment as an individual&rdquo\; (e.g.\, Would the best equality-of-opportunity affirmative action [that pays due consideration to all disadvantageous traits] collapse into individual [rather than group]-based redistributive programs? Does &ldquo\;treatment as an individual&rdquo\; direct us toward &ldquo\;more information&rdquo\; rather than &ldquo\;blindness&rdquo\;?)
\n&ndash\; On conceptual distinctions between different measures and principles (e.g.\, Is point-system relevantly distinct from a quota in terms of fairness for individuals? Is indirect affirmative action better than its direct counterpart? How different is &ldquo\;anti-classification&rdquo\; principle from &ldquo\;color/gender-blindness&rdquo\;?)
\nIf you are interested in delivering a presentation at this workshop\, please send your abstract (between 300 and 500 words) to yuichiromori.0418@gmail.com by May \;15\, 2026. Sending your full paper in addition is highly welcome but not mandatory.
\nImportant Note:
\nThis workshop is &ldquo\;child-friendly&rdquo\; one. \;Both presenters and participants are welcome to bring their children to this workshop if they wish. If you have any question or special concern\, please do not hesitate to reach out to the convenor!
ORGANIZER;CN=Yuichiro Mori: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR