Date: 17-20 August 2026
Winter School and Conference on Constitutionalism in Africa
Venue: Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Presented by: The Faculty of Law, University of the Free State (UFS) and the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers (ANCL)
BACKGROUND
The African Network of Constitutional Lawyers (ANCL), in collaboration with the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State, is pleased to announce a Call for Papers for the 2026 Winter School on Contemporary Constitutionalism in Africa.
This year’s Winter School will be held from 17–20 August 2026 under the theme:
“Globality, Extraction and Sustainable Constitutionalism: African Resource Governance in a Multipolar World.”
As global political and economic power continues to shift, African constitutional systems are increasingly called upon to respond to complex challenges surrounding resource governance, extraction, and sustainable development. The 2026 Winter School seeks to provide a critical platform for interrogating how constitutional frameworks across the continent can better navigate these dynamics.
CALL FOR PAPERS
This call invites papers that critically interrogate how African constitutional systems are being reconfigured through extractive governance, securitisation practices and renewed external influence in a changing global world order.
Global Continuities and Influences
We encourage analysis of the nature, incidence and effects of investment treaties, development finance, resource-for-infrastructure arrangements, security partnerships and supply-chain governance on domestic constitutional systems, democracy, equality, socio-economic rights and environmental protection.
Extraction and Constitutional Order
We welcome contributions exploring the constitutional governance of minerals, land, water, energy, biodiversity, and strategic infrastructure, including public trusteeship doctrines, socio-economic rights, environmental rights, democratic accountability and benefit-sharing regimes.
Securitised Governance and Constitutionalism
Submissions may examine the nature, incidence and effects of emergency powers, counter-terrorism legislation, military deployments, surveillance, border regimes and protection of strategic infrastructure on the shape of constitutional commitments to legality, accountability, human rights and democratic control.
Sustainable Constitutionalism
We invite work on sustainable constitutionalism as both ecological sustainability and institutional resilience. Topics may include water governance and sanitation, intergenerational equity, climate constitutionalism, environmental amendments and community-based governance models.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
Academics, legal practitioners, government officials, judges, civil society actors, policymakers, doctoral and postgraduate students interested in African constitutionalism, governance and the rule of law.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES AND COSTS
- Winter School:
A short curriculum vitae no longer than TWO pages and a motivation letter no longer than ONE page. - Winter Conference:
A brief bio data, an abstract not exceeding 300 words, including a title, author's name, institutional affiliation and contact details.
Key Dates
- Abstract Submission Deadline: 24 May 2026
- Application Deadline: 24 May 2026
- Notification of Acceptance: 31 May 2026
- Final Paper Submission: 20 July 2026
Registration fee:
ZAR 1000.00
ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT
The organisers may be able to provide limited support to some participants based on need and merit. The organisers will provide supporting letters for participant visa applications and for fundraising to support participation.
FOR SUBMISSION & MORE INFORMATION
Contact Ontlametse Mothobi: