In this age of terrorism, globalization, and defense reform, the nature and roles of states and their militaries have changed. This has led to a number of practical as well as ethical problems that confront militaries from all over the world.
No longer is defense of a nation the only just reason for going to war. No longer is the enemy always another state. Sometimes, especially in peacekeeping operations, it is not even clear that there is an enemy. Furthermore, as many of our own popular cultures are undergoing radical changes, so too are our military cultures. The resulting political, spiritual, and ethical crises compel members from militaries all over the world to revisit questions once thought answered.
When, if ever, is military force justified?
What role should the military play in the fight against terrorism?
In this age of globalization is the nation-state still a legitimate authority for declaring war or is that now in the hands of international organizations like the UN?
Are there moral restrictions on what weapons may be used and whom they may be used against? What are these restrictions? Do these restrictions change depending on the nature of the conflict?
What makes a good soldier, sailor, airman, or marine today? What makes a good and ethical military leader?
What defines a Professional Military Ethic?
What is the best way to teach military leaders how to meet the moral demands of their profession?
As more and more American, Western, Eastern, and Central European military operations are conducted in a multi-national environment it is imperative that members of all militaries learn how to address and answer these, as well as many other, questions in a cross-cultural context. Otherwise, the potential for conflict and miscommunication will undermine otherwise well intentioned efforts to achieve a common good.
Participants will conduct the plenary program for the symposium (6-8 March 2002) at Adazi Training Center in Riga.
The theme of the symposium will relate to four aspects of military ethics:
A reception convening the symposium will be held the evening of Tuesday, 5 March 2002. Also after the symposium academic program concludes late Friday afternoon, a Latvian cultural day of activities for international delegates will be held on Saturday 9 March. In addition, a worship service for interested delegates will be available before their departure from Riga on Sunday 10 March.
Plenary speakers will be on an invitational basis.
Anyone may submit a paper for presentation for any of the several concurrent sessions. Presentations will be approximately 20 -25 minutes long. The Organizing Committee will review all proposals to ensure their appropriateness for the symposium theme.
Papers will be published in advance of the symposium on the World Wide Web at www.accts.org (military ethics).
Proposed papers must be sent via e-mail (director@accts.org) by 15 February 2002 to ACCTS (USA). The Organizing Committee will review all proposals and notify applicants if their papers have been accepted no later than 18 February 2002. The Committee will also publish a program no later than 20 February 2002.