DMN International Conference 2026
"Youth and Disarmament: Shaping the Future of Global Security, Peace and Development"

CALL FOR PAPERS

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Following the successful DMN International Conference 2020, the DMN Initiative - SDGs Council - DMN Foundation cooperating with Local Youth Union, One Young World, Tran Hung Dao School, Local Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, UN MGCY, Youth Peace Ambassadors Network, DMN Foundation Office in the USA and MY World 2030 (UNDP) and Nam Yen United Organization invite young leaders, officials, scholars, graduate students and others to submit proposals for DMN International Conference 2026. This year’s theme is "Youth and Disarmament: Shaping the Future of Global Security, Peace and Development".

 

The DMN International Conference 2026 will be chaired by an esteemed Panel: H.E. Mr. Dao Manh Nghia, H.E. Mme. Dinh Thi Thuy, Hon. Mr. Hoang Ba Tieu, Prof. Dr. Dinh Thanh Sang, Mme. Nguyen Thi Hoang Oanh, and Mr. Dinh Nhat Nam.

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With increasing violence due to armed conflicts, terrorism, abuse of nuclear weapons and violent extremism, deepening socio-economic fragility and inequality, massive flows of refugees, climate change, and the development of new technologies like cyber technologies and Artificial Intelligence, the contemporary world order appears to be increasingly destabilised. It is increasingly acknowledged, including by the UN, EU, ASEAN, states, civil societies and other organizations and individuals, that such challenges to global security, peace and development cannot be addressed singularly. 

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DMN Initiative seeks to promote multidisciplinary as well as cross-regional approaches to address the challenges of the 21st century, including armed conflicts, terrorism and violent extremism, with an all-round holistic vision and in the event of contemporary world order increasingly destabilized. We welcome submissions from individuals around the world, particularly the young leaders, that address one or more of the following themes (although the list is only suggestive):

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Sub-Theme 1: The UN and Multilateralism: Rebuilding the Global Architecture
Focus Areas: The UN Pact for the Future, the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda, UN Security Council Reform, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

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This track focuses on the institutional and legal frameworks required to maintain global order. It highlights how international law, multilateral actors, and youth inclusion are essential for creating a sustainable future.

Relevant Conference Topics:

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• The Pact for the Future and SDGs: Operationalizing the UN's next chapter for sustainable development.

• International law of global security, peace and development: Strengthening the legal foundations of international relations.

• UN law for peace and disarmament: Navigating the legal frameworks that govern global arms control.

• Legal framework of International Disarmament and its impact on peace and sustainable development: Analyzing the intersection of disarmament treaties and the SDGs.

• The UN, EU and ASEAN (multilateral security actors): Common goals for a sustainable and peaceful future with the leading role of international law.

• Arbitrators as Peacekeepers: The role of international arbitration and courts (like the ICJ) in preserving global peace and security.

• Youth, Women, Human Rights and Disarmament: Advancing the inclusivity of the YPS and WPS (Women, Peace, and Security) agendas.

 

Sub-Theme 2: Nuclear Issues: From Disarmament to Climate Solutions
Focus Areas: Nuclear Disarmament, Non-proliferation, and the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy.

This track tackles the complex duality of nuclear technology. It addresses the existential threat of nuclear weapons while simultaneously exploring how peaceful nuclear energy is an indispensable tool for achieving global decarbonization and climate goals.

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Relevant Conference Topics:

• Bridging the Divide: Nuclear Energy, Disarmament, and the Path to Public Acceptance.

• Disarmament, arms control and conflict: Modern challenges to the non-proliferation regime.

• Raising awareness on disarmament issues in local communities: Grassroots strategies for global security.

 

***Special Event & Launch: The "DMN Nuclear Energy Forum"
During this sub-theme's plenary session, the conference will officially announce the establishment of the DMN Nuclear Energy Forum.

The Vision: A premier, youth-led hub designed to unite nuclear energy advocates, disarmament scholars, and global peacebuilders.

The Mission: To dismantle the ideological silos between climate activists and security experts. The Forum will serve as an educational and advocacy platform to build public trust in peaceful nuclear energy for climate action, demonstrating that rigorous global nonproliferation and the expansion of clean nuclear energy must go hand-in-hand.

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Sub-Theme 3: International Peace and Security: Navigating 21st-Century Crises
Focus Areas: Global Conflict Escalation (World War III scenarios), Regional Crises (Korean Peninsula, Myanmar), Biosecurity, and Emerging Threats (AI, Climate Security).

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This track moves from institutional frameworks to on-the-ground geopolitical realities. It addresses active conflict zones, the threat of great power competition, and non-traditional security threats like pandemics, climate change, and artificial intelligence.

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Relevant Conference Topics:

• Potential World War III: Analyzing great power competition and preventing global escalation.

• North Korea’s Nuclear Armament Strategy and Peace on the Korean Peninsula: Managing regional flashpoints and diplomatic pathways.

• The Myanmar Crisis: (Added per your focus area) Addressing internal conflict, human rights, and ASEAN's role in regional stabilization.

• Challenges of the 21st century and proposed solutions: Intersecting crises including environmental peacebuilding, biodiversity loss, marine pollution, armed conflicts, and violent extremism.

• Biosecurity and Health Security: Preventing and responding to global health crises as a matter of national and international security.

• Sea and Human Security, Climate Security: Protecting maritime domains and populations vulnerable to climate-induced instability.

• Youth, AI and Wellbeing: Navigating the dual-use nature of artificial intelligence and its psychological/security impacts on the next generation.

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Accepted papers will be presented in conference around November 2026. Participation in DMN International Conference presents an unparalleled opportunity to engage in lively and lengthy discussions with an emerging young leaders from around the world, as well as with scholars and officials.

Any individual interested in participating in the conference should submit a 300-word proposal and one-page Curriculum Vitae in a single PDF document to sdgscouncildmn@gmail.com (Email of DMN Secretariat). Please title your submission “Fullname_ShortTitle_DMNInternationalConference2026.” Proposals must be received by 10 September 2026 (23:59 GMT+7) in order to be considered. However, we suggest the authors to submit the proposals as soon as possible (rolling basis).

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The selected proposal will be notified by 20 September 2026 via email or sooner.

 

The author shall submit their full paper (3,000 - 10,000 words) to sdgscouncildmn@gmail.com by 10 November 2026 (23:59 GMT+7).

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The selected papers will be published in the DMN Journal Vol.3 (2026).

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The International Conference will be organized on 10 December 2026. 

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*Empowering Global Voices*
The DMN Initiative firmly believes that financial constraints should never prevent brilliant young minds from participating in high-level global discourse. To ensure diverse, cross-regional representation at the DMN International Conference 2026, we are proud to announce dedicated funding opportunities for our top applicants. Through the generous sponsorship of the DMN Foundation and the Nam Yen United Organization, a select number of fully or partially funded travel grants will be awarded to Outstanding Selected Authors.

Funding Details: Authors whose research papers, policy briefs, or project proposals are evaluated as exceptional by our esteemed Selection Panel may be eligible to receive: (i) Subsidized or fully covered round-trip airfare to the conference venue. (ii) Accommodation for the duration of the event.

Eligibility & Selection:
This funding is merit-based and highly competitive. Special consideration will be given to young leaders, scholars, and grassroots activists hailing from the Global South, Least Developed Countries, and conflict-affected regions. To be considered for a travel grant, applicants must explicitly indicate their need for financial assistance when submitting their final conference proposals.

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As the date approaches, additional information will be posted on the conference website at https://www.dmn-initiative.org/dmn-international-conference