Stelios Stavridis’ participation in the 2026 AECPA Congress will focus on Parliamentary diplomacy and the international role of parliaments

The 18th AECPA Conference will bring together specialists in political science, international relations and public administration to discuss some of the most pressing political and social challenges of our time. Within this framework, Stelios Stavridis will contribute to several academic sessions covering the international activities of parliaments and the evolution of contemporary diplomacy.

His participation will include the working group on “Rethinking Parliamentary Diplomacy: Contributions, Challenges and New Agendas”, where he will present research examining the role of parliamentary institutions in international affairs. His contributions include analyses of parliamentary reactions to key international developments and a study on political parties and the recognition of the Palestinian State.

He will also contribute to the working group on “Normative Power or Geopolitical Realism? Redefining EU Diplomacy in a Fragmented and Geoeconomic Order”, which explores the changing nature of the European Union’s external action in a rapidly evolving international context.

In parallel, Stavridis will participate in a meeting of the AECPA Standing Research Group on Plural Diplomacy(ies), of which he is a convenor, and a (founding) member. The group promotes research on the multiple forms of diplomacy that shape contemporary international relations and encourages collaboration among scholars working in diplomacy, foreign policy and international affairs.

The conference provides an opportunity to present research findings, strengthen academic networks and contribute to ongoing debates on the growing international role of parliamentary actors, an area that has become increasingly relevant in the study of international relations.