New Port, Rhode Island - U.S. Naval War College (NWC) is issuing a 'call for papers' in preparation of its fourth annual Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Conference to be held at the college, May 17.

In an effort to gather theoretical and practical ideas from a wider audience not normally represented in a limited conference format, the conference series chair is soliciting papers from academics, researchers, military personnel, non-governmental organizations and individuals who have an interest or experience in issues pertaining to WPS.

"Conferences have limited room for participants," said Mary Raum, NWC professor and chair of the WPS Conference series. "To have available, online and in the networked world, some quality thoughts on components of WPS from thinkers and practitioners who have a direct tie to the subjects being discussed is an invaluable resource.

"This call for papers will allow for a broader reach in exchanging ideas and enable us to network on a global scale - a first step for formalizing the sharing of ideas allied with conference precepts."

Since the inception of the U.S. National Action Plan on WPS in 2011, NWC has been at the forefront of exploration into national and international issues involving WPS, working toward the goal of empowering women in conflict prevention and peace.

In support of the conference theme, "Critical themes in global security," interested parties can contribute to this goal by submitting a paper on one of the following subjects:

- Cyber
- Food security and agriculture
- Religion
- Department of Defense components of WPS

Papers that focus on WPS issues in Africa, Southern Hemisphere, and Asia-Pacific regions are of particular interest.

"Being a contributor to this call for papers will allow for an additional avenue of exchange between theorists and practitioners in academia, military and non-governmental organizations," said Raum. "These ideas are important for better operationalizing WPS components in the most meaningful way possible."

Proposals must be submitted by Feb. 28.

Selected papers will be published and accessible via the NWC website at http://www.usnwc.edu.

Submission guidelines can be found at http://www.usnwc.edu/wps2016-callforpapers.