This year the Conference committee exists of 8 students, enthusiastic about international relations and excited about organizing a great conference for you. The Conference committee organizes the annual Clio International Relations conference. This is a major conference for approximately 200 visitors with a multidisciplinary character, a day full of interesting speeches and workshops on a specific international relations topic that has been underrepresented in the regular IRIO programme.

The conference is made up of several sections. Firstly there is a plenary session with various and sometimes well-known speakers who are experts regarding the topic. However speakers will be selected from different fields of interests as to elucidate the topic from multiple angles, like a true IRIO student would expect. Furthermore, workshops will be held to interactively engage more in the topic, including a master class, which is only for master students to attend. Finally, there is of course time for drinks and snacks which gives you the opportunity to network and reflect upon the conference day. It is the perfect opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of the rather theoretical substance of their studies by going into depth in a specific IR related topic and putting their acquired knowledge into practice.

It offers a perfect addition to the study programme by choosing topics that are very relevant but are not quite represented. Themes of the previous years vary from the role of energy and the role of water in IR to a more regional focus on the BRICS and Africa.

This year’s theme will be announced in February and we hope to see you all at the announcement and of course at the actual conference in Spring 2017!

  • 2016: Terrorism: Society, Strategy, Security
  • 2015: Diplomacy Unravelled: Power and Prudence in a New Era
  • 2014: The Great Powers of Africa: Partners of Plunderers?
  • 2013: The west and the BRICs: changes, challenges, opportunities
  • 2012: Changing borders, shifting responsibilities?
  • 2011: Power: fuel for conflict?
  • 2010: Europeanization: where lays the boundary?
  • 2009: Leadership: from Shell to state to Sarkozy. Who dominates the world of tomorrow?
  • 2008: Water: a source of conflict? 

Conference Committee 2015-2016

Nils Heller (2014) Chairman
Felicia Fehrentz (2012) Secretary
Simon Otto (2014) Treasurer
Sanna Hyötyläinen (2014) Speakers Coordinator
Dionne Annink (2014) Speakers Coordinator
Esmée Ramaaker (2013) Commissioner of Acquisition
Leonie Smit (2014) Commissioner of Public Relations
Anton Wuis (2013) Board Representative

Sponsors and partners