Call for papers - Société d'histoire du droit des pays flamands, picards et wallons

Conference of the Société d’histoire du droit et institutions des pays flamands, picards et wallons.

Versailles (France), May 15 and 16, 2026.

The annual conference of the Society  will be held this year in Versailles on May 15 and 16, 2026, at the invitation of Catherine Lecomte, professor emeritus at the University of Versailles-Saint Quentin and honorary president of the society, on the theme of “Leaders and Followers.”

While the concept of governance has often been questioned in recent years in terms of its structures, means, and ends, the concept of governing and, more broadly, leadership deserves renewed attention. Contemporary events show that, in terms of public governance, institutional structures alone are not sufficient to determine policies, which remain influenced by the personalities of leaders. Revisiting a classic issue in the history of political ideas, this topic invites reflection on governments through the lens of their leaders, the qualities expected of them, how they are appointed, their networks, their personal limitations, and institutional safeguards. The theme of the Society's “Days” is not limited to a reflection on political leaders alone, but extends to the study of leaders of other legally constituted organizations that themselves produce regulations, such as military, municipal, and provincial leaders, as well as spiritual leaders (church leadership) and economic leaders (company management). Finally, the theme of the meeting also includes the study of those who are led, their adherence to their leaders or, conversely, the way in which they express themselves and organize themselves to limit their excesses. While there is no time limit on the proposed theme, the presentations will focus geographically on the linguistic regions of the Flemish, Picard, and Walloon countries.

Proposals for papers should be sent to Mr. Tanguy Le Marc'hadour tanguylemar@yahoo.fr, president of the Society, and to Ms. Catherine Lecomte catherine.lecomte@uvsq.fr, honorary president, before April 15, 2026. They should be accompanied by a brief presentation in French. Papers may be presented in any of the Society's languages, French, Dutch, or English, with a preference for French, given the location of the conference.