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Armenian philosophical academy

Call for Abstracts
International Conference on the Theme of Trust and Hope 
in Times of Crises
June 22&23, 2026
The American University of Armenia (AUA), Yerevan

Organised by AUA Center for Ethics in Public Affairs (ETICA)

In association with

The International Federation of Philosophical Societies (FISP)

The Armenian Philosophical Academy

Yerevan State University (YSU)

The Horizon Europe project ETICA , at the AUA Center for Ethics in Public Affairs, directed by the ERA Chair Professor Maria Baghramian,  will hold the second international conference on June 22 and 23, 2026, at AUA. The theme of the conference, “On Trust and Hope in Times of Crises, is the research theme of the Horizon Europe ETICA project. The conference, taking place on June 22 and 23, 2026, in Yerevan, Armenia, is co-sponsored by The International Federation of Philosophical Societies (FISP), The Armenian Philosophical Academy (APHA), and Yerevan State University (YSU).


The conference explores philosophical questions on the nature and interconnections between trust and hope with an emphasis on the impact of economic, social, and political crises on these core elements of our public and personal lives. 


Abstracts of 300- 500 words, for conference presentations of 20 minutes (+10 minutes Q&A) are invited on questions relevant to the general theme of the conference, including but not limited to: 

  • What are the connections between trust and hope? 
  • Does trust without hope make sense, or is hope always implicit in trust?
  • Is hope a precondition for trust in times of crisis?
  • Is there a moral or social obligation to remain hopeful in times of crisis?
  • Is it rational to trust or to remain hopeful in times of crisis?  
  • What are the impacts of living in times of crisis on the conditions and levels of trust and hope? Do public and interpersonal trust vary in this respect? 
  • Is the betrayal of trust in a time of crisis morally worse than in ordinary times, or is it more excusable?
  • Are hope and trust epistemic or character virtues to be cultivated, or are they in-built features of the human makeup? 
  • What distinguishes hope from wishful thinking, and is this distinction applicable to times of crisis? 
  • What do times of crises reveal about the fragility or the resilience of trust? And relatedly, can times of  crises ever create new forms of solidarity, leading to greater confidence and hopefulness 
  • What are the connections, if any, between trust and faith, particularly in times of crisis?


Discussions and analysis of relevant themes from historic works in philosophy. 


We aim to publish a selection of the conference proceedings in ETICA: A Yearbook of Ethics and Public Affairs. Abstracts in Word format should be sent as email attachments to etica@aua.am, with the heading Trust and Hope. This is an in-person conference, and online presentations cannot be facilitated.  


The deadline for the abstracts has been extended to  January 30  2026.  


All queries to etica@aua.am     

Accepting applications

International Conference


Topic: "TRUST AND HOPE IN TIMES OF CRISIS" (see attached call for applications)


Dates

June 22–23, 2026


Venue

American University of Armenia (AUA), Yerevan


Organizer

American University of Armenia Ethics Center for Public Affairs (ETICA)


In collaboration with

  • International Federation of Philosophical Societies (FISP)
  • Armenian Academy of Philosophy (APP)
  • Yerevan State University (YSU)