About Congress of Nations and States, Dundee Just Transitions, University of Stirling, Joint Assembly and Conference 2026
Event links
CNS Charity Golf Tournament - To register interest to participate in the golf tournament, click on the image to fill out the form and CNS will be in contact with you.
Partners and Supporters: We are extremely grateful for the generous support and help we receive from our sponsors and partners.
Things to see and do, have a look for inspiration
Mass Atrocities, Environmental Degradation, and Communities’ Rights
Lived Experiences from the Peripheries
In today’s complex and dynamic global landscape, many pertinent issues compete for public space and attention, many of which are enormously difficult to resolve and have a tremendous impact on the lives of millions of people. International crimes, mass atrocities, environmental degradation, and gross human rights violations unfolding across many communities do not receive the necessary visibility as other issues like the ongoing climate crisis that affects human and natural worlds alike. However, all these issues are related. The climate crisis is often a result of historical or current injustices, sometimes at a systemic level, experienced by communities that are marginalized socially, economically, or politically. These communities also tend to be the worst affected by many public policies that seek to address the crisis. They are often excluded from the decision-making processes that affect their lives and their worldviews are silenced, misrepresented or devalued. Their traditional knowledge systems are erased and their cultures are assimilated to fit dominant modes of thinking and being. The climate crisis thus becomes the outcome and the catalyst for systemic injustices of global and local importance, such as mass atrocities, environmental degradation, and gross human rights violations.
The Congress of Nations and States (CNS), the Dundee Just Transition Hub, and the University of Stirling would like to invite you to participate in the interdisciplinary conference “Mass Atrocities, Environmental Degradation, and Communities’ Rights”, which will take place from 18-21 May 2026 in Dundee, Scotland. The event will be integrated into the biennial CNS Assembly which will bring together indigenous and minority communities from all over the world to discuss issues relating to mass atrocities, environmental degradation and communities’ rights.
Theme of the conference, including but not limited to:
- Mass atrocities: prevention; perpetration and impunity; intersections with environmental degradation; intersections with climate change; trauma, grief, and memory; Reparations, mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage
- Indigenous peoples and minority groups: self-determination; indigenous and traditional knowledges and alternative futures; indigenous and traditional responses to atrocities, environmental degradation and climate change; transitions to net zero including for example, energy transitions, transitions to circular economies, transitions in food production and farming, transition in transports and in the built environment
- Reparations, mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage; the meanings of clean energy; the different meanings of just transitions
- Environmental degradation: environmental violations; ecocide; traditional ecological knowledge; ecological, environmental, climate and social justice: synergies and clashes; water protection, water policies and water rights; free, prior and informed consent; rights of nature
Please note: all conference attendees will be required to self-fund their trip. No scholarships or financial assistance will be available.
The University of Stirling Human Rights Journal (USHRJ) will welcome selected papers from the conference to be submitted to a Special Issue with publication date 2027.
We look forward to welcoming you to Dundee.
| Cultural Tour of Dundee | Exclusive Offers 2026 |
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All information in the Cultural Tour of Dundee correct at the time of filming (filmed 2024).
Event links
Conference Newsletters
Check if you need a UK Visa and ETA
UK Visa
Visit the UK for tourism, business or a short stay (up to 6 months), airport transit visas. Visit the UK - GOV.UK website for more information.
Check if you need a UK visa by completing a short questionnaire on GOV.UK website.
Applying for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)?
Everyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – everyone (including children) will need permission to travel in advance of coming here. This means if you were previously eligible to visit the UK without a visa you will need an ETA.
Please watch the two videos provided for more information.
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What is an ETA?
ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport and ensure more robust security checks are carried out before people begin their journey to the UK.
Cost £16 to apply for an ETA.
What an ETA is, who can get one and how to apply before coming to the UK (hyperlink).
How long it takes
You will usually get a decision within 3 working days, but you may get a quicker decision. Occasionally, it may take longer than 3 working days.
Information correct at the time of writing (31 March 2025) courtesy of GOV.UK website
Conference Venue - Malmaison Dundee
Malmaison is a collection of unique boutique hotels in the UK with luxury at every turn.
Located in the centre of Dundee, Malmaison Dundee, situated in the old Mather Hotel, where they have carefully restored the original features in the beautiful 120-year-old hotel, including the original wrought-iron staircase and grand, domed ceiling.
Commitment to accessibility
- Accessibility guide courtesy of AccessAble website (hyperlink)
- Read reviews about our accessibility on Euan's Guide website (hyperlink)
Commitment to sustainability
Commitment to inclusion
Malmaison are proud to be a Scottish Living Wage Employer (hyperlink) and also support the Burnt Chef Project (hyperlink).
Distance to travel amenities
- Dundee Airport - 2.6 miles (4.2 km) by car
- Dundee Railway Station - 354 feet (108 metres) by foot
- Dundee Bus Station - 0.5 miles (0.8 km) by foot
Parking and EV charging
For parking and EV charging nearby visit parking charges and locations (hyperlink)
Important Dates
Call for Papers closing date on 15 October 2025
Accepted submissions will be notified by 15 November 2025
Organising Committee
Organised by colleagues from Congress of States and Nations, Dundee Just Transition Hub, University of Dundee and University of Stirling.
View organising committee bios (hyperlink)
- Edzia Carvalho, Dundee Just Transition Hub, University of Dundee
- Sufyan Droubi, Dundee Just Transition Hub, University of Dundee
- Damian Etone, University of Stirling
- Regina Paulose, Congress of Nations and States
With support from Karen Tocher and Debbie Ree, Dundee City Region Convention Bureau
Discounted Flights to/from Dundee with Loganair
Loganair is offering up to 30% off flights to delegates travelling to/from Dundee from London Heathrow (LHR), Sumburgh (LSI) and Kirkwall (KOI) Airports for this conference.
Please book at Loganair.co.uk before 24 May 2026, quoting promotional code 26CNSJAC at the time of booking, for travel between 16 May 2026 – 24 May 2026.
Visit Loganair website to book (link opens in new window)
Launched in 2021, GreenSkies is Loganair’s sustainability initiative, which sets out how the company will achieve its ambitious target of becoming net zero by 2040. One part of the initiative is a small mandatory charge as part of every fare; with funds then invested in internationally accredited carbon offset schemes to take the same amount of carbon out of the atmosphere that each flight produces. While the carbon offsetting programme is the first step, Loganair have also been engaging with leading aerospace and technology companies to ensure we can have the systems we need to achieve our carbon-neutral goal.
How to Get to Dundee the Easy Way - Videos and Travel Guide
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All information in the travel guides correct at the time of filming (filmed 2024).
Read our Travel Made Easy Guide (link opens in new window) on how to get to Dundee from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow Airport, including coach travel to Dundee.
Official Accommodation Portal
We are working with Dundee City Region Convention Bureau and DACBRes to manage accommodation for the Congress of Nations and States, Dundee Just Transitions, University of Stirling, Joint Assembly and Conference 2026, providing a variety of accommodation in Dundee.
Benefits using the Official Accommodation Portal
- Guaranteed Rates & Availability - Rates are fixed & subject to availability & individual hotel terms and conditions – True room availability – only rooms available to book are displayed.
- Breakfast* & VAT Included - No hidden extras – the price you see is the price you pay. *subject to individual hotel amenities. (Please note that Dundee Backpackers does not provide breakfast). Changes up to 24 hours before your arrival (subject to individual hotel Terms & Conditions).
- Nothing To Pay Upfront - Details of your valid credit card are only used to guarantee your reservation. Pay on check in (subject to individual hotel Terms & Conditions).
Getting around Dundee and MixMap Dundee Tourist Map
Getting around Dundee
Get active out and about in Dundee city. A compact city bursting with places of interest, history, and things to see, it is so easy to get around.
Dundee’s active travel routes in and around the city have been developed over the last few years with a key objective to encourage active travel through walking, cycling and public transport, and deploy sustainable alternatives to decarbonise transport. Visit Dundee.com website and find out more about Our Walkable City.
MixMap is a friendly, easy to use, locally produced Dundee map for tourists showcasing the colourful range of independent businesses, attractions and places of interest in Dundee and Broughty Ferry.
We want to help you make the most of your time in our city. Discover great little shops, welcoming restaurants, immersive attractions with MixMap The Dundee Tourist Map.
Commitment to Sustainability
We aim to minimise the environmental impact of the conference and contribute towards a safe and healthy environment.
Sustainability Pledge - Coming Soon
What is Dundee Famous For?
This is your voyage of discovery – uncover a location that offers the perfect combination of inspiration and innovation.
Our heritage and its people are the culture of a city, town or village and they are the basis of the stories we tell our children today. Dundee City Region is filled with many pioneering individuals who have pushed the boundaries of their professions to achieve memorable contributions, not just to our location, but indeed to the world. Explore more...
CNS Charity Golf Tournament - To register interest to participate in the golf tournament, click on the image to fill out the form and CNS will be in contact with you.
Partners and Supporters: We are extremely grateful for the generous support and help we receive from our sponsors and partners.
Things to see and do, have a look for inspiration
