About the Conference

🏛️ About the Conference

🔍 Overview

In the 21st century, legal systems worldwide are facing unprecedented challenges due to technological advancements, socio-political shifts, economic interdependence, and global crises like climate change and humanitarian conflicts. These complexities demand an integrated approach to law and its intersection with other disciplines.

The International Conference on "Global Convergence: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Law and Contemporary Challenges", jointly organized by the Kerala Law Academy (India), the Global Research Conference Forum (GRCF), and the University of Colombo (Sri Lanka), aims to provide an intellectual platform for legal scholars, researchers, practitioners, and students worldwide.

The conference will explore the convergence of law with disciplines such as political science, sociology, economics, international relations, media studies, technology, public health, and environmental sciences. Through plenary sessions, research presentations, workshops, and roundtable discussions, participants will engage in thought-provoking debates on how legal systems can be more resilient, inclusive, and forward-thinking.

With a special focus on South Asia, this event seeks to influence policy frameworks, inspire reform-oriented research, and foster international academic partnerships, strengthening the global legal scholarship.

🧭 Rationale

The contemporary legal landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. Globalization, digitization, and the intensification of transnational challenges — including climate change, public health emergencies, humanitarian crises, and socio-political instability — have collectively underscored the inadequacy of traditional, insular approaches to legal analysis. The increasing complexity of societal problems necessitates a paradigm shift in the way law is conceptualized, taught, and practiced.

Law can no longer function effectively in isolation. It must be engaged in constant dialogue with other disciplines such as political science, sociology, economics, environmental studies, technology, gender studies, and international relations. The integration of these perspectives enables a more nuanced understanding of legal norms and institutions, ensuring that legal responses are both contextually grounded and globally relevant.

This international conference, “Global Convergence: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Law and Contemporary Challenges,” emerges from the pressing need to foster such cross-disciplinary conversations. By bringing together a diverse array of scholars, jurists, policymakers, and researchers from around the world, the event seeks to transcend academic silos and generate collaborative solutions to complex legal and societal problems.

At its core, the rationale for the conference is threefold:

To Bridge the Gap Between Theory and Practice: Legal education and scholarship must be responsive to real-world challenges. Multidisciplinary research enhances the ability of legal professionals to address contemporary issues in areas such as cyber law, environmental governance, corporate regulation, and human rights enforcement.
To Facilitate Regional and Global Legal Cooperation: In an increasingly interconnected world, the role of law in fostering international cooperation and promoting justice across borders has become critical. The conference aims to develop collaborative strategies that inform not only national legal systems but also contribute to the strengthening of global legal frameworks.
To Empower Legal Reforms Through Knowledge Exchange: By providing a platform for academic exchange, the conference will encourage the development of innovative policy solutions, curricular reforms, and research collaborations. Institutions such as the Kerala Law Academy, the University of Colombo, and the Global Research Conference Forum are uniquely positioned to lead this intellectual convergence and promote inclusive legal progress in the Global South and beyond.

Vision

The vision of the International Conference on “Global Convergence: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Law and Contemporary Challenges” is to serve as a premier global forum for critical engagement, interdisciplinary scholarship, and collaborative action in the field of legal studies.

This conference envisions a world where law is not confined within the boundaries of doctrine, but is enriched by the intellectual currents of diverse disciplines — from technology and economics to sociology, political science, and environmental studies. The ultimate aspiration is to cultivate a legal ecosystem that is responsive, inclusive, and resilient, capable of addressing contemporary global challenges through holistic, ethically informed, and evidence-based solutions.

Through the strategic collaboration of institutions such as the Kerala Law Academy, the University of Colombo, and the Global Research Conference Forum, the conference seeks to:

Catalyse transformative dialogue between jurists, academicians, researchers, and policymakers across jurisdictions and disciplines.
Foster innovation in legal education and practice by embracing diverse pedagogical and methodological approaches.
Shape the future of law and governance by translating academic research into actionable insights for legal reforms and policy advocacy.

The vision is not merely to host an academic event, but to build an enduring platform for global cooperation, where scholarly exchange translates into tangible outcomes—reforming institutions, influencing public policy, empowering students and scholars, and ultimately, redefining the purpose and reach of law in a rapidly changing world.

🎯 Objectives

The International Conference on “Global Convergence: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Law and Contemporary Challenges” is founded upon the belief that addressing the legal issues of our time requires the collective wisdom of multiple disciplines and diverse global perspectives. The objectives of this conference are designed to reflect this ethos and guide participants toward meaningful scholarly and practical outcomes.

1. To Provide a Global Academic Platform: Bring together legal scholars, academicians, researchers, policymakers, and students to present and discuss cutting-edge research.
2. To Promote Interdisciplinary Research and Dialogue: Explore intersections between law and disciplines like technology, sociology, economics, and health studies.
3. To Address Emerging Global Challenges: Examine law’s role in global crises such as climate change, digital transformation, and transnational crime.
4. To Encourage Policy-Oriented Legal Scholarship: Develop research that informs public policy and legislative reform at various levels.

5. To Strengthen Academic and Institutional Collaborations: Foster partnerships between institutions for joint research and collaborative publications.
6. To Reimagine Legal Education: Discuss innovative strategies and curriculum reforms to enhance legal training.
7. To Facilitate the Dissemination of High-Quality Research: Encourage publication of selected papers in reputed journals and volumes.
8. To Build a Global Network: Foster intellectual and professional connections among legal scholars and practitioners.

🏫Organizers

🏛 Kerala Law Academy (KLA), Thiruvananthapuram, India

Established in 1966, the Kerala Law Academy (KLA) is a premier institution of legal education, research, and advocacy located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India. With a distinguished legacy of nearly six decades, KLA has been at the forefront of advancing legal scholarship and nurturing generations of legal professionals, scholars, judges, and policy leaders.

Affiliated with the University of Kerala and approved by the Bar Council of India, the Academy offers a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in law. Its rigorous academic standards, emphasis on research, and commitment to legal reform have earned it national recognition and international academic relevance.

KLA stands apart through its innovative blend of theory and practice, maintaining a fully functioning legal aid clinic, a dynamic moot court society, a student law review, and an active research and publications division. The Academy also publishes the Academy Law Review, one of India's oldest peer-reviewed legal journals.

The Academy’s research environment is enriched by the Centre for Advanced Legal Studies and Research (CALSAR) and its specialized wings focusing on environmental law, human rights, digital governance, constitutionalism, and gender justice.

By co-hosting this International Conference with the Global Research Conference Forum (GRCF) and the University of Colombo, KLA reaffirms its commitment to intellectual excellence, interdisciplinary dialogue, and global academic cooperation in legal studies.

🏛 Faculty of Law, University of Colombo

The Faculty of Law at the University of Colombo, the sole Faculty of Law within the entire state university system of Sri Lanka, was originally established in July 1947 under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts. In 1967, it was elevated to the status of an independent Faculty of Law—becoming the first and, to date, the only such faculty in the national university system, a distinction it continues to hold with distinction.

Situated in the heart of Colombo, the dynamic capital city, the Faculty of Law is widely recognized for its academic excellence, pioneering legal research, and enduring contribution to national development. Today, this esteemed institution comprises three departments—Commercial Law, Private and Comparative Law, and Public and International Law—offering comprehensive undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. It serves as a central hub for legal education in Sri Lanka, attracting scholars and students from across the island and beyond.

The Faculty places strong emphasis on interdisciplinary inquiry, international collaboration, and socially responsive scholarship. Through sustained partnerships with regional and global institutions, the Faculty of Law actively engages in transnational research initiatives and innovative curriculum development. Its strategic vision is closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those pertaining to access to justice, quality education, and the strengthening of institutions.

In recent years, the Faculty has assumed a prominent role in shaping legal education and influencing public discourse across South Asia. Its scholarly contributions span critical areas such as constitutionalism, transitional justice, human rights, environmental sustainability, criminal justice, and gender equity. The Faculty regularly convenes high-profile conferences, symposia, and policy dialogues, attracting wide participation from academia, civil society, and international organizations.

By co-hosting the international conference, “2025 Global Convergence on Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Law and Contemporary Challenges,” the Faculty of Law reaffirms its commitment to fostering global academic engagement, promoting interdisciplinary legal scholarship, and demonstrating regional leadership in legal knowledge production. This landmark collaboration with the Kerala Law Academy (India) and the Global Research Conference Forum (GRCF) highlights the Faculty’s role as a thought leader in advancing legal research, reform, and international cooperation.

With a distinguished legacy and an unwavering dedication to academic excellence, the Faculty of Law continues to uphold the University of Colombo’s enduring motto: “Buddhi Sarvathra Bhrajate” – “Wisdom Enlightens Everywhere.”

🌐 Global Research Conference Forum (GRCF)

The Global Research Conference Forum (GRCF) is a distinguished international academic consortium committed to fostering research excellence, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and global scholarly exchange. Established with the vision of transcending traditional academic silos, GRCF acts as a dynamic platform for intellectual engagement across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, with a particular emphasis on law, social sciences, public policy, and governance.

GRCF brings together an expansive network of academicians, researchers, institutions, and thought leaders worldwide to advance scholarly dialogue, policy innovation, and knowledge dissemination. With an inclusive philosophy at its core, the Forum promotes both emerging and established scholars, offering them opportunities to present, publish, and collaborate on pressing global challenges that demand multidisciplinary inquiry.

Headquartered in India and operating with strong international affiliations, GRCF has successfully organized and supported numerous international conferences, faculty development programs, webinars, and thematic research initiatives. Its advisory board includes eminent professors, policy consultants, and academic administrators with extensive experience across Asia, Europe, and North America.

In the field of legal studies, GRCF has made significant contributions by promoting critical research on constitutionalism, human rights, environmental law, digital law, gender justice, and socio-legal reforms. The Forum also collaborates with universities, think tanks, and government bodies to produce impactful policy recommendations and research publications.

Under the leadership of Dr. Prakash Divakaran, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Himalayan University and Director of the Infinite Global Research Forum, GRCF has emerged as a vanguard institution for fostering transnational academic partnerships, capacity building, and research-driven development.

By partnering with the Kerala Law Academy (KLA) and the University of Colombo for this International Conference, GRCF continues to uphold its mission to serve as a conduit for global academic synergy, empowering scholars and institutions to shape responsive, innovative, and socially transformative legal frameworks for the future.

📚 Centre for Advanced Legal Studies and Research (CALSAR)

The Centre for Advanced Legal Studies and Research (CALSAR) is the dedicated research and academic extension wing of the Kerala Law Academy, committed to fostering excellence in legal scholarship, innovation, and reform.

CALSAR spearheads high-impact research, policy advocacy, and interdisciplinary inquiry across a broad range of contemporary legal domains, including environmental law, human rights, constitutional governance, and emerging technologies. Its initiatives are designed to bridge academic research with real-world legal challenges, promoting justice, accountability, and sustainable development.

The Centre serves as a vibrant platform for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to engage in rigorous research, critical discourse, and collaborative legal reform efforts. Through symposia, think tanks, publication initiatives, and workshops, CALSAR nurtures an ecosystem of advanced legal inquiry that responds to the needs of a rapidly evolving legal and policy landscape.

CALSAR’s interdisciplinary approach is reflected in its engagement with technology, public health, climate change, and digital rights, and its commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and impactful research is recognized nationally and internationally.

As a key academic partner of the International Conference on “Global Convergence: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Law and Contemporary Challenges”, CALSAR exemplifies the Kerala Law Academy’s broader mission of shaping the future of legal education, contributing to global academic discourse, and nurturing the next generation of legal thinkers.

Rooted in scholarly integrity and a vision for transformative justice, CALSAR continues to expand the frontiers of legal knowledge and practice.